Ninja Gaiden 2 Black – Review

Team Ninja has made a huge impact on the gaming world by remaking the classic, action-packed Ninja Gaiden 2 Black.

Ninja Gaiden 2 Black is officially a remastered version of the popular 2008 game, Ninja Gaiden 2. The game centers once more on the popular ninja warrior from the Dead or Alive series, Ryu Hayabusa, tasked by the CIA to stop the resurrection and havoc of the fiends that are wreaking havoc once more.

With the aid of the Black Spider Clan, the fiends’ total dominance has reached a critical point where Ryu must do all he can to slay all of his enemies at the cost of his own life.

After spending several hours with the game, it’s clear this is not simply a remaster, but a full-blown remake. If you wonder why, I can list many reasons and tell you how different this game is from the original.

First of all, the graphics of the game have greatly changed. Gone are the 2D textures, replaced by a more realistic aesthetic especially when played on a high graphics gaming PC. The movement of the characters, the speed and agility of Ryu, and the intense bloodied fights are all present in mind-blowing ways. Compared to the last Ninja Gaiden game, this one has made me feel like a new-born gamer once more and shows promise of what to expect in the next Ninja Gaiden game to be released this coming Fall 2025.

Despite its classic feel, the combat system is surprisingly well-suited to the updated graphics, offering intense action. Players utilize a variety of shinobi weapons, including katanas, shurikens, and bows, to execute fast-paced combos and counter moves in stunning 4K. I love how fast and furious the attacks of the enemies are and how challenging they can be. In games nowadays, every challenge must be taken seriously and this remake of the series is the perfect example of why games are getting more interesting.

Another thing that makes the game great is the blood and gore. Many games feature gore, but Ninja Gaiden 2 Black elevates it to an art form, solidifying its instant classic status. The fact that they remade this game using Unreal Engine 5 shows they can be more realistic and intense, especially when doing finishers on wounded enemies, and trust me, this game makes me want to replay the game over and over again.

Aside from how great this game is, there are certain things I want to address that kinda bugs me when playing Ninja Gaiden 2 Black. One such issue is the camera system. When exploring the stages in the game, I had a hard time navigating. There are instances where the camera struggles to keep up with the action, particularly when enemies suddenly appear. This is quite a disaster for me especially if I want to clear a stage without taking a single damage.

Another issue that I would like to address is the map system. While the game provides some directional cues, the map system can be unclear, leading to confusion and wasted time. Because of this, I felt very confused and even spent more time in one area than what I was supposed to be doing there. It would be nice for the developers to fix this part and give us a proper navigation tool to direct players on knowing where to go.

Despite these issues, Ninja Gaiden 2 Black is a pretty awesome game to play. I highly recommend playing this on a high-spec gaming PC and ultra-high settings. Playing this game will not only prepare gamers for the upcoming Ninja Gaiden release this Fall, but also provide valuable insight into the series’ mechanics and challenges.