Ninja Gaiden II (2)

Having long awaited the release of this game, I can finally tell you that it was definately worth the wait.

Chances are those of you that want this will have played NG1, but if you didn't, a basic synopsis would go something like "you play a kickass techno ninja who has to bring down an evil corporation and fight lots of mean assed bosses".

You play as Ryu Hayabusa, legendary Dragon Ninja. The Black Spider Clan has stolen an ancient statue in protection in the Dragon Village which allows them to ressurrect greater fiends, and then the archfiend (that's bad...)
Following a loose storyline, you play Ryu's travels around the world as he attempts to put a stop to the madness and prevent the awakening of the archfiend.

The gameplay in this title is split between 2 main veins. The major one is combat (and there's lots of it!). Enemies usually attack you in swarms and it's up to you to bring them down with only your speed and reflexes to count on. There are 8 different primary weapons, four secondary weapons, and four ninpo (Magical spells) to use, so there are weapons for every situation and enemy, and a new "on the fly" equipment switching system really makes the game more accessible. The game is really REALLY difficult, and if the droves of spawning enemies aren't enough, then the ridiculously huge and relentless bosses will be the ones to hand your ass to you, crispy and well done.

The other main gameplay element is exploration and platforming, but it never gets frustrating due to the tight control system and completely adjustable camera angles.

This game's blood and violence is uncensored, and now you can wound some enemies by lopping off vital body parts. Once you've done this, you can initiate an "obliteration technique" that finishes your enemies off in sick style, netting you more points and even more gore.

Graphics are absolutely sublime, and you get to visit all sorts of real world locations (including I think Venice and Russia) and New York. The wind effects streaming over the airship on Chapter 7 are amazing, and I won't spoil the epic ending to the level for you.

The game is also extremely long, I am at chapter 8 and have spent 6.5 hours already out of 15 (I am told!) chapters. Along the way you can undertake optional challenges for extra achievement points and secret upgrade items to help your survival in later levels.

Another neat feature I would like to add is auto health regeneration. Between battles, any lost health is refilled, but cumulative damage reduces the "refillable" portion of the health bar (e.g. fatal wounds). This makes the game more accessible to newcomers, but to veterans the difficulty is not compromised, since the enemies have been made deliberately harder to compensate.

All in all, Tecmo have done an awesome job on this, but I would like to REALLY stress that it is difficult. For those who know, it makes DMC4 on SoS mode seem like a walk in the park. So, NG2 is a worthy sequel to NG1, and although it doesn't surpass it, both games can be held in equal regard. If you have a 360 you need this game.

Pros:
+ HUGE selection of weapons.
+ Slick and tight combat controls.
+ Gorgeous graphics and sound.
+ Refreshingly violent.
+ Lots of optional challenges and extras.
+ Four difficulty levels.
+ New gameplay features make the game incredibly accessible.
+ Awesome boss fights.

Cons:
- May still be too difficult even for seasoned gamers.
- Being swarmed by gaggles of enemies sometimes seems ridiculously unfair.
- Some minor balance issues with later enemies.
- A lot more linear than it's predecessor.

Is what i thought being as hard headed as i am, when everyone was saying its sooo hard i thought thats what they said about all the COD's on Veteran, DMC Dante must die, and many more that i breesed through without hassel and thought wht were they on about. As it turns out spectacularly difficult ive crawled my way through this game on Warrior (The second of 4 difficulties) and am proud of doin that.
As with most if not all Japaneese the plot is absolute rubish but the game is amazing. Combat that rewards skill and learning the moves rather than button mashing. Lovely graphics and a strong and intresting inventory of unique weapons means this is a truely epic game for any who feel up 2 a challenge.

Well yes, I believe it is. That is if you are not put off by dying alot of the time, if you can learn the combinations properly and concentrate on what the enemy is doing and be able to read when to dodge, when to block, and when to attack. I'm 20years old, I completed the first Ninja Gaiden on HARD MODE. I'm not really the type of person who is into Star Wars, Comic Books, Animay, that type of thing, and that is what I honestly thought this type of game was. I was so wrong. There is a part in the first game (the seccond boss) where you just have to step up and use the tools you have at your disposal. Sadly, for Ninja Gaiden 2 this happens on the last Chapter. There is not one boss, but 3, one after another without a save point. Make sure you have enough essence (money) to buy the items to see you through to victory, thats my advice. The story sucks, I won't lie about that. But the game play more than makes up for it, and the reward of joy you get from completing it. If you are a determined gamer, an abled gamer, you should put this game on the way of the warrior and play it untill you complete it. The graphics of the surroundings on this game are beautiful, and a great backdrop to the brutal violence of you slicing limbs off your enemies and slicing them in two. The graphics are beautiful, the gameplay is great, and the rewards for success are immence. Just having the achievements on your gamertag makes you proud. If you're a 14yr old child without the staying power and concentration of a more mature gamer, I would advise you give this one a miss, or maybe play it on the easy mode. Or if you are a 14yr old child who wants bragging rights, and is determend, show your mates who is the best at games by completing this on hard mode. You get the picture, if you're a casual gamer who prefers racing games or petheticly easy adventure games, give this one a miss. However if you're somebody who can master the combinations and a skillfull gamer who likes a challenge, this one is for you.

I have allways been a hardcore fan of the franchise and have admired the asspiration and spirit put behind the game, which makes it such a master piece. Alot of critics had said as well as the gamers that ninja gaiden 1 was a masterpiece but tomonobu itagaki refused to believe that it was a master piece and has put everything he wanted to put into the 1st one into the second, to make the worlds premium action adventure game and i have to agree strongly that it is.

you will see ratings where people have given it 2-3 stars, the reason that is is because they may find the game too difficult but infact that there is new setting known as ' path of the acolyte' where new gamers can take part and enjoy this wonderful franchise.

The game's action is so intense that you will find yourself lost in time because you become so immersed in the game. the new health regeneration system makes the game much more accesible for the new gamers so it is not just for the hardcore gamers but also for the less experinced gamers but still gives one a challenge, after making you feel you have acomplished something.

Majority of games actually wipe ur ass for you and tell what has to be done, ninja gaiden does not and once played you will become elated by accomplishment after going through an intense battle. in my opinion and do not hope to sound biased, that this is one of the best games available today and the only games that are in league with NInja gaiden 2 are, (metal gear solid 4 and gears of war) and strongly reccommen you picking this up beacause truly is a diamond in the ruff.

having not gotten past chapter 3 yet this is not a complete review, but suffice to say i am loving what i've seen thus far.

first off graphics. background scenery: so far i have to say not as good as devil may cry 4 (its only contemporary in my opinion) i'd say texture resolution is at times better in capcoms effort.
character animation and combat: there are some slight framerate issues when a lot is happening on screen. however the brutal and extremely visceral dismemberment possible (i've only used the dragon sword thus far) is just jaw dropping. from the moment sonia blew half of a black spider clan ninjas head off in the opening cut scene i just knew i was gonna love this, and not for the over the top violence, but moreover because i felt that this game needs it to work. i mean you are swinging a lethal, razor sharp 4 foot blade around, anything else would just look silly (anyone remember the censorship of decapitation and nunchaku from original gaiden?) overall this game is very fluid and still looks beautiful. not as much of an impact visually as the original xbox offering, but only because great graphics are the norm on 360.

sound. didn't notice it defaulted to stereo in the options menu and initially wasn't impressed. kick it into 5.1 tho and it booms into life, with nice effects, particularly weapon clashes and shuriken/arrow swooshes.

music. adequate

gameplay. the most important aspect of any game. with a difficulty curve that will at times have you gnashing teeth and tearing out hair, this is not a game for people with no patience. i have to confess to mashing an original xbox controller to destruction over the difficulty of the original, and this game is no easier (i think i mellowed a little as i've grown up)

conclusions. an absolute stonker of a game, and easily one of my favourite 360 experiences so far. what are you waiting for?

ryui yori