Ninja Gaiden 2 Black Review – Sharpened Edges

Ninja Gaiden 2 Black on PS5 Pro

There is just something about putting yourself through the wringer to prove your mastery of a subject, and when it comes to action games, the Ninja Gaiden series has few equals. The frustration is to be expected, but that intense satisfaction of victory cannot be replicated anywhere else. Team Ninja and Koei Tecmo‘s return to the past with Ninja Gaiden 2 Black allows modern players to do just that, and for the most part, it’s the best experience you can have.

This follows after a rather messy state of affairs since the original game first came out on the Xbox 360 in 2008. With both Sigma 2 and the Ninja Gaiden: Master Collection not living up to fan expectations, the levels that Ninja Gaiden 2 Black needs to hit are both high and low. While it still isn’t the definitive answer, it is now the best way to experience the classic with fresh trappings, built on Unreal Engine 5.

With improved technology, this is the best the series has ever looked, with the new visuals looking gorgeous at every turn. From the environments to the characters, there is so much to look and marvel at in between the fighting. More importantly, performance holds up even in the thick of the action, setting the standard for the upcoming Ninja Gaiden 4.

The main attraction is that the action-centric gameplay remains the best in its class; this is not the game to worry about defence. The best way to go about that is relentless aggression, putting those standing in your way on the back foot always with constant slicing and dicing. Thankfully, this remaster ups the ante with delightful dismemberment like the good old days, complete with blood fountains that will make fans squeal with glee.

Enemies are made to be decimated, and through Ryu Hayabusa’s masterful techniques, body parts flying is par for the course. That doesn’t equate to a power fantasy approach, as Ninja Gaiden 2 Black still requires a level of mastery to overcome. Even injured foes are a significant threat; players must always take heed and finish them. Flashy obliteration techniques are invaluable in this respect, giving you a gratifying way of showing your dominance and continuing the action straight after.

Naturally, our hero’s moveset and abilities integrate seamlessly into this cocktail of destruction. Ryu moves with graceful and speedy agility, capable of dodging attacks and returning the favour instantly. While it’s perfectly understandable to stick to the basics, the potential is there for skillful players to take advantage of every situation and unleash the true prowess of the protagonist.

Encounters can go from straight-up duels to high-flying encounters, as Ryu runs and leaps off walls, taking every opportunity to attack while adding grapples and counters into the mix. At full flow, Ninja Gaiden 2 Black is a performance that celebrates violence in all the best ways.

And as the conductor, you can also count on the variety of weapons available, with all of them standing out as winners, and catering to players instead of the other way round. Whether you are a true purist of the Dragon Sword or prefer the Lunar Staff’s reach or the Tonfa’s blunt force, upgrades and new techniques will always keep them viable and useful throughout the entire adventure.

How much you can get from the experience will still be contingent on your skill level, with the series staying true to its roots. Enemy numbers have been bolstered compared to Sigma 2, but they are not overwhelming, so players on Acolyte and Warrior difficulties can still manage. However, bump things up to Mentor and Master Ninja, and those memories of constant death will come flooding back, replaced by a modern rendition.

As a breather, the remaster also brings back the playable supporting cast in the form of Rachel, Ayane, and Momoji. The debate about their inclusion and impact on the game’s overall narrative will remain, but there is no doubt that they can be nice refreshers to enjoy with their unique scenarios and combat style. Ryu is always going to be the headliner, but having backup in the form of the trio doesn’t hurt a bit.

Not having your full expectations met inevitably leads to disappointment, but in the case of Ninja Gaiden 2 Black, the quality on show positions this latest remaster attempt as being top of the pile. Visually stunning, the fluid action returns better than ever, rectifying the issues of Sigma 2 for an adventure that will help modern players get acquainted with an all-time classic series that deserves another shot in the spotlight.

Ninja Gaiden 2 Black is now available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.