While the Xbox Developer Direct showed off the likes of Doom: The Dark Ages, South of Midnight, and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, the added bonus of more Ninja Gaiden was a pleasant surprise for many. A numbered sequel is coming with Ninja Gaiden 4, but if you can’t wait any longer, you can always turn to Ninja Gaiden 2 Black, which is available now.
The surprise announcement from Team Ninja and Koei Tecmo wasn’t on our list of predictions, but it is welcomed nonetheless. The original game was released in 2008, and its return is kicking things up a notch, graphically remastered to deliver the most breathtaking and frenetic ninja action to date.
In Ninja Gaiden 2 Black, players take on the role of Ryu Hayabusa, a deadly ninja who wields the legendary Dragon Sword while embarking on a global battle against a series of formidable foes. This bloody remaster uses Unreal Engine 5 to significantly refine the graphics, enhancing everything from character visuals to environmental backgrounds. The stages, characters, effects, and lighting have all been completely redesigned and remastered to fully immerse players in this sombre ninja world.
Violent, adrenaline-fuelled fights unfold, showcasing a variety of techniques and weapons such as Japanese swords, shuriken, kusarigama, and tonfa with dazzling brutality. Gore elements such as dismemberment and blood have also been remastered to enhance the experience. Those wanting a more toned-down experience can simply turn the dismemberment feature off in the options menu.
In addition, the extra elements that were present in other spinoff titles have been implemented, including the ability to control three additional characters: Momiji, Ayane, and Rachel. The remaster also includes the HERO PLAY STYLE mode for beginners that provides automatic support in the most daunting situations, making the notoriously challenging title more accessible for those who are not yet confident in their action skills.
Ninja Gaiden 2 Black is digitally available across multiple platforms, including Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC via Steam and Microsoft Store, and with Game Pass on console, PC and cloud.
