Review: Ninja Gaiden II Black

Publisher: Koei Tecmo

Developer: Team Ninja

Available on: PC (Steam), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox Games Pass

Ryu Hyabusa is back in what is set to be the year of the ninja. On January 23rd, 2025, during the Microsoft Direct, Koei Tecmo and Microsoft shadow-dropped a new game to Xbox Game Pass: Ninja Gaiden II: Black. This action hack 'n slash first sliced it's way onto the Xbox 360 in 2008, before being ported to the PlayStation 3 and PS Vita as Ninja Gaiden II: Sigma.

Ninja Gaiden II Black takes the Sigma version of the game and enhances it into Unreal Engine 5. The result is something more than a fresh coat of paint as the game is given new life to become a refreshing start to 2025, albeit with a few missed opportunities.

Everybody was Kung-Fu Fighting

Ninja Gaiden II is the second installment in the now revealed quadrilogy of games, all based off the NES series in the 80s. The trilogy received an HD remaster in 2021 which was a welcome trilogy, even with the third game’s grievances. A retro-inspired game, Ninja Gaiden Ragebound was announced at the 2024 Game Awards and Microsoft just announced Ninja Gaiden 4. Both games are slated for release in 2025.

Ryu Hyabusa is the revered wielder of the Dragon Sword, and Master Ninja of the Dragon Clan. When the Black Spider Clan ambushed him in Tokyo, he will fight alongside CIA agent Sonia, and the ninja's Rachel, Ayane, and Momiji. Together, they must fight to save the world from the supernatural God, the archfiend.

Everybody was fast as Lightning

Ninja Gaiden II Black is a hack n slash action game. Players control Ryu through 13 chapters that take players to mountains, jungles, New York City, and so on. Players control the character and initially use basic attacks to fight numerous enemies at once. Over time, players increase their skill roster, allowing moves such as lifting enemies into the air and throwing them downward for a lethal ground pound. Players are able to acquire new weapons and upgrade them as well. These range from a bow & arrow to the morning star staff. Finally, players access magic skills, such as fire and wind.

Punish all evil

Enemies are fierce and dig deep into Ryu. A simple attack can take out swaths of health, especially on higher difficulties. As damage is taken, the health bar will turn red and fill that spot unless healing beads are taken. Players can purchase healing supplies or rely on the blue energy orbs that enemies occasionally drop. Yellow orbs are also dropped, which becomes the currency for items.

In an age of souls likes and stamina bare, Ninja Gaiden II Black dials the action up to eleven and invites players to return to an era where stamina bars never existed. Older action titles were about speed, reflexes, and skill. No stamina or stress bars. Ninja Gaiden II Black is the same way. From the very start, the game is ferocious and unapologetic in its action and violence.

Begone Fiend

It's a dance of blades and strength. Swords clash and cut through flesh like a knife through roasted meat. Ninja Gaiden II Black is a game that comes at you fast and encouraged you to think faster. Slaying enemies is fantastic and obliterating them through over-the-top execution techniques is event better. This is a game that is all about the euphoria of high speed action.

Ryu has his initial movements with light and heavy attacks but with new weapons and new skills come new ways to attack. Players can block, counterattack, and dodge. Holding down the light button supercharges the attack. When done correctly, an enemy can be annihilated in a devastating offensive attack. During the campaign, players get a chance to play as Momiji, Ayane, or Rachel, each with their own moves and weapons.

A New Perspective

The upgrade to Unreal Engine 5 speak for itself. There is far more details and assets on-screen. Enemies feels more like fleshy targets than ragdoll. Particle effects have also gotten a noticeable improvements. At one point, I noticed the more magic based enemies used a volcano effect with their fire spells, erupting the battle space with fire and ash. There are more textures and noticeable physics on characters as well. Overall, it's a welcome upgrade.

However, there was a missed opportunity here for additional content. In fact, some content is omitted in a strange choice. The Buddha Statue and Statue of Liberty boss battles are removed, though the game runs on the Sigma strain of code. Other features from the original 2008 release are also not present. It feels this was the time for the complete experience, or additional content to be added. Perhaps this can be corrected in a future update but it seems unlikely. Despite these omissions, there is still plenty to be had in Ninja Gaiden II Black, from TAG missions to multiple difficulties for the campaign.

Ninja Gaiden is back

Ninja Gaiden II Black is an excellent restoration that could have used more content. However, what is there is easily one of the sharpest and most exciting gameplay experience out there. With Ninja Gaiden Ragebound and Ninja Gaiden 4 set for release in 2025, Ninja Gaiden II Black is a great game and a solid warmup for the year of the Ninja.

NINJA GAIDEN II BLACK IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Reviewed on Xbox Series X via Xbox Game Pass