Ninja Gaiden II

 Xbox 360
  • Publisher: Tecmo
  • Release Date: Jun 3, 2008
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 374 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 283 out of 374
  2. Mixed: 49 out of 374
  3. Negative: 42 out of 374
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  1. TimC.
    Oct 10, 2008
    10
    Probably the best action game to date. Hard as nails and rewardingly stressful. This title is all I play.
  2. AaronB.
    Jun 9, 2008
    10
    This is the mother of all ninja games. After playing through it 2 1/2 times in a week (original on Warrior, halfway on Mentor which is very hard, and then finishing a quick run through on Warrior New+ game) I'm totally hooked on this game and will continue to play it for some time. The graphics are superb, the weapons are fantastic and the enemies are numerous. The camera is largely This is the mother of all ninja games. After playing through it 2 1/2 times in a week (original on Warrior, halfway on Mentor which is very hard, and then finishing a quick run through on Warrior New+ game) I'm totally hooked on this game and will continue to play it for some time. The graphics are superb, the weapons are fantastic and the enemies are numerous. The camera is largely the same as in NG1/NG:B, which is to say troubled but not a serious problem. In my many play throughs of NG1 I never had a problem with it after the first game, and I don't currently with NG2. At first you will not be sure if its an upgrade from NG1 because its so different, honestly I questioned it at first as well, but after really getting to know the game well it is most definitely a large upgrade. I love it, this is one of the best games I've ever played and is currently the absolute peak of action gaming, nothing comes close.… Expand
  3. RonS
    May 26, 2008
    10
    Seriously, you Gaystation fanboys can stop rating this game so low just because you're jealous. It's pretty weak.
  4. TommasoT.
    Jun 18, 2008
    10
    The God of the action games; it's a perfect game by gameplay and artistic game and level design, and after all they are the most important things for an action videogame. Killer application, for me it's the best game (only for) on Xbox360.
  5. StevenG.
    Jun 2, 2008
    10
    True gamers only!
  6. BenD.
    Jun 3, 2008
    10
    Don't know why this game has a low meta :( its a great platformer better than devel maycry and maybe even that gods of war even tho its only gaming mechanic seems to be the fighting thats what it should be and the blood is BLOODY brilliant! :-) play the demo!
  7. Shaun
    Jun 6, 2008
    10
    Game is sex, hands down. While the camera needs a bit of work and the framerate jacks up from time to time, all in all this game is what all action games should strive to be. It made me forget about GTA IV and probably will for a long while from now. A great last act from Itakgi.
  8. AbdulM.
    Aug 19, 2008
    10
    An awesome sequel to an awesome game. Everything you would need from a hack and slash.
  9. DingleberryJones
    May 26, 2008
    10
    Stays true to the original. BADASS.
  10. DannyT.
    May 27, 2008
    10
    Managed to spend some time with this game when my roommate got a copy. Although the difficulty is right up there with the best of em, the style, fun, and badassness is undeniable. A must get for the Xbox 360.
  11. PippoR.
    Jun 2, 2008
    10
    Spectacular game even if some frustating parts.... Surely 2 point better than Dante's Devil May Cry 4.... 10 NG2 8 DMC4.
  12. RobC
    Jun 30, 2008
    10
    Being a fan of Ninja Gaiden for Xbox I had no doubt that I would like Ninja Gaiden II. NG II is similar to the original but throws more different enemies and has more techniques and weapons to choose from. Of course the story and levels are different. It also is very challenging at the higher difficulties, in which something is constantly being shot at you and breaking up your combos. You Being a fan of Ninja Gaiden for Xbox I had no doubt that I would like Ninja Gaiden II. NG II is similar to the original but throws more different enemies and has more techniques and weapons to choose from. Of course the story and levels are different. It also is very challenging at the higher difficulties, in which something is constantly being shot at you and breaking up your combos. You can also chop off the enemies arms and legs spraying blood everywhere. Nothing is more satisfying than observing all of the limbs and blood sprayed over the walls and the floor. The only explanation I can think of for the low scores from critics is the similarity to the original. You owe it to yourself to get this game.… Expand
  13. Vlad
    Jul 31, 2009
    10
    I say ten because although the game was glitchy and and the camera sucked the action was good, it beats any mario game by a long shot. I felt the graphics were good and the AI seemed intelligent enough to keep the fight interesting. Anyone who rated the game as a zero probably just couldn't get past level one because they are use to playing easy games like Halo or GTA. Or perhapsI say ten because although the game was glitchy and and the camera sucked the action was good, it beats any mario game by a long shot. I felt the graphics were good and the AI seemed intelligent enough to keep the fight interesting. Anyone who rated the game as a zero probably just couldn't get past level one because they are use to playing easy games like Halo or GTA. Or perhaps they expect too much out of a game. The only game I have ever played that was exactly the way I had expected it to be was Ocarina of Time.… Expand
  14. DanielV.
    May 27, 2008
    10
    Unlike most people I enjoy hard and challenging games not 10hrs easy fest that everyone loves paying 60$ for lol therefore NG2 gets a 10 from me for trying and challenging and entertaining gameplay.
  15. wafelkill
    Jun 20, 2011
    10
    THE BEST ACTION GAME ON XBOX 360!!
    60+ houers and still playing!
    Blood,Fast Action,Many Wepons,Massive Combos,Story is **** but its not story you want from that kind of games.
    PURE FUN:)
  16. x-billy
    Apr 20, 2017
    10
    What a genius Itagaki is! Maybe Ninja Gaiden (Black) Is a little better but still Ninja Gaiden 2 is a masterpiece. Sigma games by Hayashi (what a mediocrity he is!) are pieces of crap compared to NGB and NGII. Can't wait to play a new game by Tomonobu Itagaki!
  17. noblescion
    May 9, 2020
    10
    Never again a sword cutting through the flesh felt that good. The greatest action game this medium has ever seen is the brutal, uncompromising, obscure and not perfect, but at the same it reaches so high striving for the absolute that almost achieves it. & time, the absolute judge of everything, hasn’t touched it at all.
  18. Shadow1
    Apr 18, 2016
    10
    The best Ninja Gaiden of all time , but Ninja Gaiden Black and Ninja Gaiden 3 good too . In Ninja Gaiden 2 amazing storyline and awesome gameplay and graphics normal too . Ninja Gaiden 2 better than Dark Souls 2 . Very good game . Very Poor Nine of Ten .
  19. ECB19
    Jul 24, 2021
    10
    good game, fast, fun and good difficulty. if you haven't played any ninja gaiden, I think both the sigma version or this one won't disappoint you.
  20. h3x
    Aug 10, 2018
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. A masterpiece - the combat system is deep and satisfying. My review is mostly about my experience overall across the difficulties and I will primarily talk about the game's hardest difficulty mode: Path of the Master Ninja. First up, you're probably not going to like this game if:

    1. Aren't willing to invest serious time into learning the combat system and enemy attack patterns. Button mashing and holding block all the time will get you killed.

    2. If you are turned off by steep (but fair) difficulty and learning curves.

    3. People who want a deep story - this takes a back seat in (modern) Ninja Gaiden games and makes little sense.

    This game has difficulty done right in my opinion:

    1. Enemy spawns on higher difficulties change, introducing harder enemies in place of regular variants that would normally appear on Acolyte/Warrior difficulty. Most bosses also get grunts to assist them in battle.

    2. Enemy numbers increase - this doesn't feel cheap. It forces you to properly learn the mechanics of the game. Yes you can spam ultimate techniques, but the game is perfectly doable on Master Ninja mode without said method.

    3. Enemies/bosses do more damage and bosses are more resistant to damage, but not to the cheap levels in Master Ninja mode of the PS3 Sigma 2 version.

    4. The gore - it is so fun to listen to the enemies get dismembered and explode from combos, UTs and projectiles. Very satisfying.

    5. Chapter scoring is based on the karma system and is unlike games such as Devil May Cry where the aim is also to be stylish in order to score more points. Points here are rewarded for ultimate techniques and fast/efficient kills.

    Highly recommend this game if you're into fast pace action games that don't require mindless button mashing in order to get through or that doesn't turn everything into damage sponges on higher difficulties. You will die a lot though, but it's part of the fun and learning experience. The DLC mission mode is also excellent and adds hours more of fun and challenge, especially in the survival missions. A number of reviews too may mention freezes and crashes - I only experienced this when I had the shadow walker costume DLC installed. Uninstalling this fixed all freezing issues.    … Expand
  21. shootingstars99
    Jul 10, 2019
    10
    A neat sequel to the now classic Ninja Gaiden on the original Xbox. The combat seems to have the same depth and learning curve as the original, with some new mechanics thrown in to make the game a little more accessible to others just getting into the series, such as obliteration techniques. The game has a myriad of weapons to find, upgrade and master, and a plethora of enemies and bossesA neat sequel to the now classic Ninja Gaiden on the original Xbox. The combat seems to have the same depth and learning curve as the original, with some new mechanics thrown in to make the game a little more accessible to others just getting into the series, such as obliteration techniques. The game has a myriad of weapons to find, upgrade and master, and a plethora of enemies and bosses to test your skills and best in combat. A few minor gripes would be that controlling the camera during combat seems to be a skill of its own, and makes for some slightly irritating moments when surrounded, as well as some frame drops when there are large amounts of foes on the screen at once. Everything else is great, the story is simple, but doesn't pretend to be anything aside from that, which makes it just plain fun. The combat is the main draw here, and will have you learning something new every time you turn it on or try a new weapon!… Expand
  22. Abraham1993
    Nov 5, 2019
    10
    El rey del hack and slash junto con ninja gaiden black. Jugabilidad perfecta y gráficos brutales para la época. Retrocompatible en xbox one!!!
  23. Havik_destroyer
    May 13, 2022
    10
    ninja gaiden 2 on xbox is the best game ever exist, combat is more than perfect it is really gory and fun
  24. Hungry_insect
    Jun 24, 2020
    10
    Excelente jogo, merecia um novo game nessa nova geração, no PlayStation 5 .
  25. Silverboltakina
    May 17, 2021
    10
    I may be biased, but this is my favourite game of all time for a reason. The game has an outstanding amount of variety and skill in battle, and bosses, while frustrating, are highly skill based and can be beaten with knowledge. The music, while a downgrade, still fits the game.
  26. HavikSatan
    May 12, 2022
    10
    best slasher or hack n slash game ever made and gory visual looks very well, really perfect game.
  27. EalyLiu
    Feb 17, 2023
    10
    It's great. It's the best game I've ever seen. The picture is exquisite, the movement is smooth, and the design is exquisite.
  28. GeorgeK.
    Sep 2, 2008
    9
    Despite its enraging difficulty. ninja gaiden 2 is an incredible eye-candy. I've dissed quite a few games before but i can't do this with ninja gaiden. Incredible graphics, unbelievable AI and interesting storyline. IF the cameras didn't suck SO much I'd give it a perfect 10. Now I'll stay with a 9 and i'll name it my favourite 360 game till now.
  29. MarcH.
    May 27, 2008
    9
    This game is going to be awesome and thin coming from team ninja always is, the only people that hate ninja gaiden games are the ones that suck at them Itagaki is right games now adays hand themselves to the player and anything that doesnt people instantly write off as bad tomonobo Itagaki is the man
  30. BDub
    Jun 6, 2008
    9
    Seriously underrated game. I don't think i've ever been more at odds with reviews before. There are professional reviewers giving this game a 6? Anyways to any fans of previous NG's, Devil May Cry, or just awesome hack and slash this is a must have. This is definitely the most fun i've had playing a game of the genre, and i'm a senior gamer. Movie and video game Seriously underrated game. I don't think i've ever been more at odds with reviews before. There are professional reviewers giving this game a 6? Anyways to any fans of previous NG's, Devil May Cry, or just awesome hack and slash this is a must have. This is definitely the most fun i've had playing a game of the genre, and i'm a senior gamer. Movie and video game reviewers have gotten rediculous over just the last 5 years. Why can't movies and games that are just fun be well rated anymore? It seems that every movie has to be oscar material and every video game has to be ground breaking or be able to have an endless supply of content in able to receive a decent review. I guess the only weak spots i can think of for this game is plot and difficulty. But honestly i've had just a difficult time on some of the campaign boards of COD4. And this is not a plot driven game, it is an action driven game with a plot that is there just to give some kind of flow to the game for one setting to another. I think it was with Bioshock that i realized that there is a huge divide between what i like and what reviewers like. I don't play video games for deep stories, i play them for action and fun. I watch movies for stories or read books. If i can get both, great (COD4). But in my opinion it should be only the level of fun that gives a game its score. The fact that this game scored so much lower than DMC4 is laughable and almost conspiracy like. I liked DMC4 too, but not as much.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

40
#40 Best Xbox 360 Game of 2008
15
#15 Most Discussed Xbox 360 Game of 2008
33
#33 Most Shared Xbox 360 Game of 2008

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
81

Generally favorable reviews - based on 74 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 60 out of 74
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 74
  3. Negative: 0 out of 74
  1. Jolt Online Gaming UK
    77
    For the die-hards who take their games like they take their women – angry, violent, unforgiving, underdeveloped and occasionally gratifying – Ninja Gaiden 2 is a fine follow-up, especially with its punishing achievements and four difficulty settings (Very Hard, Insane, Chuck Norris, Double Chuck Norris). For everyone else Ninja Gaiden 2 is an exercise in futility that’s just not as polished, balanced or enjoyable as its predecessor.
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  2. Game Over Online
    80
    The point here is despite all its flaws, Ninja Gaiden 2 was still able to deliver some excitement and thrills and every now and then it exhibits some of the pure kung-fu insanity that placed its predecessor on the mantle of genre-defining action titles.
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  3. Xbox World Australia
    79
    Fans of the original will probably love it, newcomers will probably divided, but either way it's a faithful sequel to one of the Xbox's favourite sons.
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