| Ninja Gaiden II: Black | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer | Team Ninja |
| Publisher | Tecmo Koei |
| Platform | PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC |
| Release date | January 23, 2025 |
| Genre | Action-adventure game, Hack and Slash |
| Mode | Single player |
| Rating | ESRB: M (Mature) ACB: MA15+ OFLC (NZ): R18 PEGI: 18 |
| Media | Digital only |
| Input methods | Xbox X|S Controller, PS5 Controller |
Ninja Gaiden II: Black is an enhanced remaster of Ninja Gaiden II. Much like Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2, it was developed with the input of approval of Tomonobu Itagaki, albeit without his direct involvement. The game is meant to be the "definitive version of Ninja Gaiden II", while also having features from Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2.
The game was released released on January 23, 2025 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, following the official announcement of Ninja Gaiden 4. The remaster is also available on the Xbox Game Pass.
Playable Characters[]
Ryu Hayubusa: the central protagonist of the Ninja Gaiden series. A Master Ninja, he is a descendant of the Dragon lineage and current wielder of the legendary Dragon Sword. He is controlled through the vast majority of the game.
Rachel: a Fiend hunter Ryu met during his expedition to the Vigoor Empire in the first game, who became his ally. She fights wielding a massive warhammer and a heavy machine gun.
Ayane: a kunoichi from the Mugen Tenshin Clan, and an ally of the Hayabusa Clan. She fights using a pair of kodachis.
Momiji: the current Dragon Shrine Maiden of the Hayabusa Clan, and Ryu's apprentice. She first appeared in Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword, and fights using a naginata.
Changes in Ninja Gaiden II Black[]
Graphics[]
- The game uses Unreal Engine 5 to significantly refine the graphics.
Balance Adjustment[]
- Combat balance such as damage and enemy placements has been adjusted from previous entries in the series.
- Bosses like the "Giant Buddha Statue: Hatensoku" and the "The Statue of Liberty" do not appear in this title.
- Hero Difficulty from Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 returns.
Online Features[]
- Online features such as ranking and co-op play, which were included in NINJA GAIDEN 2 and NINJA GAIDEN Σ2, are not available in this title.
The "NINJA RACE" Mode[]
- The "NINJA RACE Mode," featured in NINJA GAIDEN Σ2 PLUS, is not included in this title.
Gore[]
- Blood and dismemberment effects in this title are based on NINJA GAIDEN 2. However, players can switch the settings to match the effects in NINJA GAIDEN Σ2 via the options menu.
Gallery[]
Screenshots[]
Videos[]
Trivia[]
- According to the Head of Team Ninja, Fumihiko Yasuda, in an interview with Xbox Wire, the biggest reason for remastering Ninja Gaiden II over the other titles of the original reboot trilogy was because of the title having the highest popularity and reception in the series. Team Ninja also wanted to address the concerns of core fans who might been wondering about the future of the series and Ryu Hayabusa himself, and to give players something to enjoy as they wait for the release of Ninja Gaiden 4.