Tech-Gaming Slices Through Ninja Gaiden II

In 2004, developer Tomonobu Itagaki took the antiquated,
two-dimensional NES Ninja Gaiden franchise and infused it with new life. His
re-imagined Ninja Gaiden for the Xbox had sharp graphics, a perfect framerate
and a difficultly that was decidedly old-school.  Over the years, the core gameplay was tweaked-
2005’s Ninja Gaiden Black added weapons and additional difficultly levels,
while last year’s PS3 Ninja Gaiden Sigma, refined the graphics, while adding an
additional playable character. Now four years after the original Xbox title, a
true sequel has emerged that is sure to appease fans.

                                                      Travel to distant lands and kill everyone

The Ninja Gaiden experience has always been built around
arcade-twitch gameplay, and NG2 offers few exceptions to that blueprint.
Players spend a majority of their time blocking enemy attacks, waiting for an
opening to occur. Then, players release total ‘ninja fury’, using a light and
heavy attack to decimate their opponents. NG2 offers one of the most graphic
interpretations of bloodshed in game history, as heads, torsos and appendages
are sliced in a wash of arterial sprays. Although your attacks carry an
engaging amount of brutality, the slick, shiny natural of the graphics
prohibits the title from being a disgusting gorefest. Much like the CGI blood
in some modern films, a slight artificiality keeps the title from too repulsive.

                                                                  There Will Be Blood

NG2 shows its difficulty in its end of level boss
encounters, which can inspire the most patient games to throw their $50
wireless controllers across the room. Little assistance is given to players in
suggesting which weapon to use, or where to attack in these boss fights. Luckily,
the developers were more liberal with save points in this title, so players won’t
lose too much ground when their life bar is inevitably drained out.

The most nagging enemy in the game might be the game’s camera.
Although, the player typically has control of the title’s vantage point, occasionally,
the action will be viewed from an obscured corner. This problem has plagued the
series throughout its 3D history; but this time the frustration may be amplified
as players are assaulted with exploding projectiles thrown from off-screen.

Additionally, there are other small annoyances: the
typically rock-solid framerate may slow at times during play. Like Devil May Cry, NG2 suffers from stop-start gameplay- you are either engaged
in intense combat, or walking through lifeless corridors in the game. We would have
liked to see a bit more variety- what about having explosive ninja mines
scattered around some of the otherwise lifeless areas?

Overall, Ninja Gaiden 2 offers enough challenge and just
enough innovation to warrant a purchase for the hardcore action fan. We like
the weapon variety and the relentless challenge that later levels offer. Casual
gamers that are easily frustrated may want to rent the title first, to see if
they have the ability to walk the path of the ninja.

Final Grade: B