There’s a moment near the end of Ninja Gaiden 2 Black where you retrace the first level of the original Ninja Gaiden, but in reverse. I’ve played that level so many times, I could probably run through it in my sleep. Back in the day, I spent hours on a demo disc, perfecting every movement until I could beat Murai, the first boss, without taking a single hit. But this time, it’s different. The area is crumbling, worn down by time and the chaos of the previous game. No dramatic cutscenes point this out, Ryu doesn’t make a remark about it, and the camera doesn’t zoom in to highlight the decay—it’s just there, quietly reminding you of the past. And yet, as I dashed through those familiar paths, slicing through enemies like old times, I couldn’t help but grin. Like this remake as a whole, it’s not quite the same as it once was, but the core experience is still as sharp as ever.
That moment captures the essence of Ninja Gaiden 2 Black, a remake of 2008’s Ninja Gaiden 2, now powered by Unreal Engine 5. It aims to be the ultimate version of the game, delivering a major visual overhaul alongside some key gameplay tweaks. And while the upgraded graphics are undeniably impressive, this isn’t necessarily the definitive edition the “Black” label might suggest. Like many of Ryu’s weapons, Ninja Gaiden 2 Black is a double-edged sword—its changes improve some aspects while cutting into others.
https://youtu.be/CYS60ObbyZo?si=EdHyHNiJhSGxZaEW
The Story? Just an Excuse to Kill Everything
Before diving into what Ninja Gaiden 2 Black isn’t, let’s talk about what it is. At its core, this is a classic high-speed 3D action game that prioritizes intense combat above all else. The story picks up a year after the events of the first game’s reboot. The Black Spider Ninja Clan and the Greater Fiends are working together to resurrect the Archfiend, and naturally, only Ryu Hayabusa—the ultimate ninja badass—can stop them. Along the way, he gets some assistance from allies (and even the CIA), but let’s be real: the plot is mostly there to justify slicing through hordes of enemies in increasingly ridiculous set pieces.
And honestly? I forgot how funny this game is. You’ve got Greater Fiends quoting Shakespeare at you while trying to murder you. There’s a battle against a lightning-infused warrior on the Statue of Liberty. One of the best moments? A four-armed werewolf named Volf drags you into the Colosseum in Venice—packed with other werewolves—and hypes up the crowd before your duel. “Do you want him to die?” he asks. The werewolves cheer. “Who do you want to kill him?” he continues. “Volf!” they all shout. And then, completely serious, he declares: “Yes! I, Volf, will kill him!” It’s absurd, it’s campy, and it’s absolutely glorious.
Combat: A Symphony of Blades and Blood
But let’s be real—you’re not here for the story. You’re here for the combat. And Ninja Gaiden 2 Black absolutely delivers. The game’s signature mechanic is delimbing: as you carve through enemies, you can slice off arms, legs, and even heads. But here’s the twist—wounded enemies are even more dangerous. They’ll go berserk, lunging at you, detonating explosives, or just desperately trying to take you down with their last breath.
Unlike Devil May Cry or Bayonetta, which reward stylish combos, Ninja Gaiden is all about survival. Enemies won’t wait for you to attack, and they don’t telegraph their moves with long wind-ups. They’re fast, relentless, and downright furious—like you just insulted their entire bloodline. But the thing is, they’re up against Ryu Hayabusa, and Ryu is not your average action hero.
By the end of the game’s roughly 10-hour campaign, you’ll have access to nine melee weapons, three ranged weapons, and four different types of Ninpo (ninja magic). Each melee weapon comes with a deep moveset, complete with unique combos and special techniques. You haven’t truly lived until you’ve decapitated an enemy mid-air with a Flying Swallow, pulled off an almighty Izuna Drop to slam an enemy into the pavement so hard they explode, or comboed an entire room into oblivion with the Lunar Staff.
Ryu feels like a fighting game character—he’s got complex combos, special counters, and the ability to block, sidestep, and dodge seamlessly. And since he’s a ninja, he can also run along walls, leap onto enemies’ heads, and perform brutal takedowns from mid-air. Unlike modern action games that emphasize parries or invincibility frames, Ninja Gaiden 2 Black is all about positioning, aggression, and mastering your arsenal. You’re constantly moving, constantly analyzing the battlefield, and constantly deciding which threat to eliminate first.
At its best, combat feels like a symphony of death, and you’re the conductor—flowing between attacks, dodging, countering, and unleashing devastating Ultimate Techniques powered by enemy Essence. When you’re in the zone, enemies practically throw themselves at you in vain attempts to stop you. When you’re not in the zone? You’re going to die. A lot.
Not Everything is Perfect
The combat system is as incredible as ever, but it’s not flawless. The camera, for one, can still be a little clunky, occasionally getting stuck in weird angles or letting enemies hit you from off-screen. It’s not game-breaking, but it can be frustrating.
Boss fights are also hit-or-miss. Some, like Volf, are fantastic—challenging, memorable, and fun. Others? Not so much. Fights like the Water Dragon or the Nuclear Armadillo (yes, really) feel tedious, relying on gimmicks rather than skill. And while the Genshin fight is great, did we really need to battle him four separate times?
The biggest issue, though, is Ninja Gaiden 2 Black’s combat balance. This version is based more on Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 than the original Ninja Gaiden 2, and that comes with changes—some of them unwelcome. In the original, you’d face huge enemy swarms, with certain areas throwing dozens of foes at you at once. Here, enemy numbers are reduced, but they have more health and take longer to delimb. This makes combat feel slower and less satisfying compared to the fast-paced carnage of the original.
Still, Ninja Gaiden 2 Black does improve on Sigma 2 in some ways. The gore and dismemberment effects are back, the weapon upgrade system is intact, and some of Sigma 2’s weaker additions—like the Giant Buddha Statue and Statue of Liberty boss fights—have been removed. Plus, the game brings back Sigma 2’s extra playable characters (Rachel, Momiji, and Ayane), who, while not as deep as Ryu, add some welcome variety.
Verdict
Ninja Gaiden 2 Black isn’t quite Ninja Gaiden 2, nor is it Sigma 2—it’s a hybrid of both, creating a unique version of the game that stands apart from its predecessors. While it doesn’t fully recapture the original’s relentless enemy swarms and fast-paced combat, it’s still a significant step up from Sigma 2 and undeniably the most visually stunning version of this legendary action game.
It’s not the definitive edition some were hoping for, but it’s still an incredible experience. And with the original stuck on Xbox 360, this might just be the best way to play Ninja Gaiden 2 today. While nothing can ever quite be what it once was, this remake proves that some things—like slicing through hordes of ninjas—never stop being fun.
