Hayabusa's Latest Revenge

Published May 27, 2008

From the opening moments of Ninja Gaiden® II, where buxom CIA agent Sonia saunters into Muramasa's shop in hopes of tracking down hero Ryu Hayabusa with a casual reference to the Archfiend, any gamer possessing even a passing familiarity with the Ninja Gaiden series will feel instantly at home.

Just like riding a really violent bike.

From the slick, gorgeous character models to the richly colored, detailed environments and even the hard-rocking guitar riffs pulsing in the background, every look, sound, and feel of the game's opening moments scream quintessential Ninja Gaiden.

Faster than Ever

It takes only a few moments for the sultry Sonia to go from brazen secret agent to damsel-in-distress as Black Spider Clan ninjas burst into the shop, armed with razor-like claws and an angry disposition to kidnap her. It takes even less time for Ryu to leap onto the scene with Dragon Sword in hand and a rescue attempt firmly in mind.

From here you're thrust right into the blazing fast action, and yes, it's noticeably faster than the amped up pace of Ninja Gaiden Black. Despite its astonishing speed though, you'll never feel entirely out of control. Every attack, combination, dodge, parry, and leap is graced by tight, accessible control.

Ready Your Wits and Sharpen Your Reflexes

Gamers should feel right at home with the basic controls, which while faster and more refined than previous entries, still work much as they did before. The bulk of your attacks are handled with the X (quick) and Y (strong) buttons, combining them along with directional presses to create Ryu's various trademark combinations.

Unlike many action games, each combo in Ninja Gaiden II is designed for a purpose and not simply to look gorgeous in action (though they do). Whether you're bashing an enemy backwards, juggling one in mid-air with a flurry of strikes, unleashing a barrage that connects with multiple enemies, or powering up an Ultimate Technique with fresh Essence, each of Ryu's dozens of possible attacks exist for a carefully considered reason.

A Dismembering Mechanic

Much has been made of the game's over-the-top ultra-violent action that happily introduces constant, blood-gushing dismemberment at every turn. It is quite a sight to behold, to be sure, but this gore-drenched eye-candy exists for more than aesthetic reasons.

The new Alma? You never know …

When you lop off the arm or leg of an enemy, they know their in-game lifespan is near its end, and as a result they become extremely aggressive. If one of these limbless opponents gets hold of you, they'll execute a devastating suicide attack. If, on the other hand, you can identify and strike these enemies with the Y button, you'll deliver the aptly named Obliteration attack, essentially a gruesome finishing move guaranteed to kill.

Tools of the Trade

While Ryu's legendary Dragon Sword is back and deadly as ever, Ninja Gaiden II is even more prolific with its available weapons than its predecessor. The Lunar—Ryu's trusty staff—makes an appearance in the early going, but it's the brand-new death-dealing implements that will likely leave your mouth agape in wonder.

For example, the studious explorer can collect the Falcon's Talons in Chapter 2, a vicious set of claws with three blades apiece that promote the sort of swift-hitting attacks the nunchaku provided in the first game, only noticeably more vicious than their blunter cousins.

Your weapon choice will change the very way you approach combat, and so finding the right fit for your own play-style becomes critical. It's important that you settle on a weapon so you may take advantage of Muramasa's prodigious blacksmithing skills by increasing your weapon's level, unlocking a more powerful version and new attack combinations.

Note you can now change your weapon (ranged and melee) and access items without having to enter a menu. Just tap the D-pad to swap out gear and use items while in the middle of the action.

That's one tasty looking weapon.

Little Touches

Longtime fans of the series will notice a series of refined features and subtle changes throughout their Ninja Gaiden II adventures.

• Health recharge: Ryu's health replenishes automatically once a battle comes to an end. However, Ryu will suffer from semi-permanent injuries, essentially shrinking his effective health bar. These more permanent injuries can only be replenished with items, save locations, or the blue health orbs sometimes looted from vanquished opponents.
• Fallen tutorials: Scattered throughout levels, especially in the early going, are fallen enemies or comrades clutching scrolls that usually lament their inability to master a certain skill. While seemingly random at first, you'll discover challenges immediately after finding these scrolls that require the use of the highlighted skill. These sorts of ongoing hints help to keep the player from getting stuck or frustrated.
• Path of the Acolyte: Ninja Gaiden is infamous for its ruthless difficulty setting, but Path of the Acolyte offers casual gamers a chance to achieve victory without constant frustration. Likewise, the game's overall difficulty is lowered ever-so-slightly across the board. A welcome addition for most.

Ninja Gaiden II from Tecmo and Team Ninja for Xbox 360® delivers on the implied promise of Ninja Gaiden and Ninja Gaiden Black. It is both a wonderfully refined, more evolved game than its predecessors as well as a celebration of the kind of classic action the Xbox originals brought back to the fore of gaming. Ready your wits, sharpen your reflexes, and get ready to load up Ninja Gaiden II!

Article by Ryan Treit