Ninja Gaiden 2 Black: The Definitive Action Game Returns
Koei Tecmo has just released Ninja Gaiden 2 Black, a remaster of the 2008 Xbox 360 action classic. The game is available now on Xbox Series X and S, PlayStation 5, and PC via Steam and Microsoft Store, and with Game Pass on console, PC, and cloud. This unexpected release has delighted fans of the series, and it’s easy to see why.
A True Remaster, Not Just a Re-release
Ninja Gaiden 2 Black is a true remaster, not just a re-release. The game has been completely redesigned and remastered using Unreal Engine 5, and it shows. The graphics are stunning, with detailed character models and environments that bring the game’s world to life. The gore effects have also been remastered, adding to the game’s visceral combat.
More Than Just a Graphics Upgrade
But Ninja Gaiden 2 Black is more than just a graphics upgrade. The game also includes extra elements from the spin-off titles released after the original game’s debut, including the ability to control three additional characters: Momiji, Ayane, and Rachel. The remaster also includes “HERO PLAY STYLE”, a mode for beginners that provides automatic support in the most difficult situations, making the notoriously challenging title more accessible for those who may not be so confident in their action skills.
A Love Letter to Fans
Team Ninja boss Fumihiko Yasuda said that the decision to remaster Ninja Gaiden 2 was made to address the concerns of core fans who might be wondering about the future of Ryu Hayabusa. “We also wanted to give players something to enjoy as they wait for the release of Ninja Gaiden 4. We chose Ninja Gaiden 2 because it stands as one of the most solid action games in the series. We added ‘Black’ to the title to signal to fans that this is the definitive version, much like Ninja Gaiden Black was for the first game.”
A Long and Storied History on Xbox
Team Ninja’s Ninja Gaiden series has a long and storied history on Xbox. The developer’s reboot of the action series launched first on Xbox in 2004, and Ninja Gaiden Black, considered one of the greatest action games of all time, launched the following year. Since then, fans have had the critically panned spin-off Yaiba: Ninja Gaiden Z, and, more recently, Ninja Gaiden: Master Collection, a compilation of Ninja Gaiden Sigma, Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2, and Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge.
The Main Event: Ninja Gaiden 4
But the main event is Ninja Gaiden 4, which finally continues Ryu Hayabusa’s story 13 years after Ninja Gaiden 3 came out. Fans are eagerly awaiting the release of Ninja Gaiden 4, and they can tide themselves over with the excellent Ninja Gaiden 2 Black in the meantime.