- Publisher: Koei Tecmo Games
- Release Date: Jan 23, 2025
- Also On: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X
- Critic score
- Publication
- By date
-
Feb 13, 2025Ninja Gaiden II Black is absolutely the definitive way to play the classic and challenging title. With the stigma of how Unreal Engine 5 can treat modern releases, it is outstanding to see a game utilize the technology to recreate something lots of people have fond memories of that runs seemingly flawlessly. With availability on all modern platforms and the inclusion of its release on Xbox Game Pass, everybody has the chance to play it. Other than the camera still being quite whack, it’s a genuine must-play, especially if you’ve never had the chance before now.
-
Jan 31, 2025Ninja Gaiden 2 Black isn't quite the definitive edition of Team NINJA's second entry in the series, but it comes close. While Ryu Hayabusa no longer faces overwhelming hordes of enemies, the game's intensity, deep combat mechanics, excellent enemy variety, greatly overhauled visuals, and solid level design make it one of the best ways to experience one of finest action games ever released, performance issues notwithstanding.
-
Jan 29, 2025While the name may be slightly misleading, Ninja Gaiden 2 Black is a fantastic way to experience one of the best action games ever made.
-
Jan 28, 2025Ninja Gaiden 2 Black is not perfect. It tries to remedy the mistakes made by the Sigma series, but it only partially succeeds in its intent and fails to replicate the perfect intensity that Tomonobu Itagaki managed to nail in 2008. However, it remains the best declination of the game currently available on modern systems, thanks also to the Unreal Engine 5 that enhances its aesthetics to excellent levels. It may not be entirely worthy of the Black suffix, but this Ninja Gaiden 2 still deserves your attention while waiting for the fourth chapter.
-
Feb 3, 2025NINJA GAIDEN 2 Black is the perfect appetizer before the release of NINJA GAIDEN 4 and a fantastic New Year's gift from Koei Tecmo to action game fans.
-
Mar 4, 2025Even though this remaster/remake version of Ninja Gaiden 2, which bursts into the scene like a firecracker, isn't the ultimate version and still carries its archaic flaws like a badge, it's INCREDIBLY fun to play. This is the kind of pure entertainment I want from games, don't miss it.
-
Feb 28, 2025For fans of the series and newcomers alike, this remaster offers an improved version of Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2, surpassing it in all ways that are important, even if it doesn’t fully capture the essence of the original Ninja Gaiden 2. Whether you’re a seasoned shinobi or a novice ninja, Ryu Hayabusa’s global adventure remains as action-packed as ever, and this version proves that Ninja Gaiden’s action is still relevant in 2025, making me excited to see what Ninja Gaiden 4 has to offer.
-
Feb 27, 2025If this game would have used Ninja Gaiden 2 as a starting point with "Black" as a refinement, it could have been the ultimate version. Unfortunately,it's a heavily reworked take on Sigma 2, missing not only some bosses from Sigma but also key elements from the original NG2, such as enemy placement and their strength. What remains intact is the series' signature, unparalleled gameplay, keeping it among the must-play action titles; if not for the existence of Itagaki’s Ninja Gaiden 2, which remains superior and unmatched.
-
Jan 30, 2025Ryu Hayabusa returns with a good remaster operation, maintaining the intense and brutal combat system of Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2. The difficulty is more accessible and the new graphics made in Unreale Engine 5 are great, but there are still historical issues like the camera and some content missing compared to Sigma 2.
-
Jan 29, 2025Ninja Gaiden II Black is not only an excellent remaster, but it also sets the stage for the future of the series with Ninja Gaiden 4 on the horizon. The new features and improvements provide a glimmer of hope that Team Ninja understands what makes the series special, while the technical upgrades make it more accessible than ever for new players.
-
Jan 29, 2025The subtitle "Black" carries significant weight in the world of Ninja Gaiden. Black is supposed to represent the ultimate, most complete version of a game, but Ninja Gaiden 2 Black falls short of that. Too much content from earlier versions is missing, and the PC version feels too rough. Still, 2 Black is easy to recommend: there’s no more accessible or visually polished version of this phenomenal action game.
-
Jan 28, 2025Ninja Gaiden 2 Black isn't the most definitive version of the classic but it will remind you why it's so well-regarded in the first place.
-
Jan 27, 2025Purists may lament that this isn't a true update of the original Ninja Gaiden II, as Ninja Gaiden II Black uses the Sigma 2 port as its base, but what has been put together here is still an incredibly fulfilling hack and slash action game that absolutely is one of the best in the genre. In a time where more and more franchises are going down the open and freer route, this is a reminder that a more linear and confined approach works wonders for this type of game.
-
Jan 29, 2025Ninja Gaiden 2 is and remains a masterpiece of the genre, but "Black" is a lazy and dull "deluxe remaster" operation, which does not correct or modernize the most critical aspects of the original and, in some ways, worsens them. However, Itagaki's masterpiece remains a must and having the possibility of enjoying it in a more modern and up-to-date graphic guise certainly has its appeal.
-
Jun 3, 2025Ninja Gaiden 2 Black looks good, but doesn't give the impression of the definitive version at all.
Awards & Rankings
There are no user reviews yet.