Ninja Gaiden 2 first released in 2008, and though flawed, was still a hell of a sequel. Fans reveled in the return of the deadly ninja, Ryu Hayabusa, now with improved combat, tons of blood, and several new features. In the decades since, numerous remasters of the game have cropped up, including Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 and the recent Ninja Gaiden: Master Collection, but these re-releases consistently missed the mark. Enter Ninja Gaiden 2 Black, the so-called “definitive” version of this action-adventure classic from the seventh generation of home consoles. Although notably better than past remasters, Ninja Gaiden 2 Black has a few long-standing problems that may never get fixed.
The Blood is Back
First things first, Ninja Gaiden 2 Black is lots of fun. Veterans who have played the game multiple times before now will likely notice some of the issues in the remaster, but honestly, that’s the minority. For most players, Ninja Gaiden 2 Black will provide an ample amount of action to enjoy, and if you’ve never played the original game, this remaster is arguably the best way to experience it. The boost in graphics is admirable, combat remains exciting and fast-paced, and extra content adds more meaningful hours to your playtime.
Perhaps the most notable of the changes in Ninja Gaiden 2 Black is the reintroduction of blood, gore, and dismemberment. In the original game, enemies would get cut to ribbons by Ryu’s ultra-sharp blade, with arms, legs, and heads flying in a torrent of crimson mist. However, the excessive violence was ultimately removed from subsequent remasters, until now, that is. In Ninja Gaiden 2 Black, all the over-the-top violence returns, and honestly, the game is better for it. Despite the truly ridiculous levels of viscera, this high level of blood was an integral part of Ninja Gaiden 2‘s identity, so I’m glad to see it return.
Not Your Father's Ninja Gaiden 2
With that in mind, there are still some core issues with Ninja Gaiden 2 Black that are disappointing to see. Even worse, it’s likely that these problems will never be fixed, and it’s no fault of the developer. According to Team Ninja’s leader, Fumihiko Yasuda, the source code for Ninja Gaiden Black and Ninja Gaiden 2 has been lost, making a remaster of the original games impossible. Instead, Ninja Gaiden 2 Black is actually an overhauled remaster of Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2, reworked to be more faithful to the Xbox 360 original. Unfortunately, everything absent from Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 is also absent in Ninja Gaiden 2 Black, including the Tests of Valor, the terrible Tunnel Worm boss, and more. Worse of all, the enemy count remains notably low, whereas the original game featured large mobs of baddies for you to slice through.
To that point though, all of the additions found in Sigma 2 are also available in Ninja Gaiden 2 Black, like the five new bosses, three extra characters, and a New Game Plus mode. The result is a grab-bag of content old and new, updated with modern visuals, and made available on your system of choice. While it’s disappointing to see some of the same issues plaguing Ninja Gaiden 2 Black, it’s still leagues better than previous remasters. Let’s be honest too, unless you’ve already got your Xbox 360 set up and ready to go, it’s probably easier to pick up this remastered version than go through the effort of playing the original. Better yet, if you have a subscription to Xbox Game Pass, the game is included, as is the Ninja Gaiden: Master Collection. So, if you’ve never experienced the chaotic, bloody, and oddly beautiful action of the original game, Ninja Gaiden 2 Black is a perfect way to play it. However, longtime fans should be prepared to encounter some headaches, but we can rest easy knowing that Ninja Gaiden is back in a big way.
