The Ways of the Ninja

Published June 11, 2008

The considerable difficulty of Ninja Gaiden® II cannot be dispelled by any one tip, but both Black Spider Clan's ninja throngs and the Archfiend's armies should prove a good deal less troublesome with the following suggestions, and a firm grasp of the game's mechanics in mind. Fight hard, fight fast, and fight for the glory of the Dragon Ninja Clan, young Hayabusa!

Button mashing is strictly forbidden.

Defined Combos
Ninja Gaiden II is many things, but despite its lightning-fast pace, a button masher it is not. Every distinct weapon combination exists for a purpose, so after an hour or two of gameplay you should abandon the wild button mashing, and instead press forth with predetermined combinations against every enemy, confident that you know what each attack will accomplish. This may seem daunting at first, but try the following:

• Examine each weapon's attack combos by selecting your weapon of choice in the Start menu and tapping Y to examine that weapon's move list. Don't worry about learning them all. Instead, select one or two at a time and practice them consistently until they're second nature. Only when they're firmly ingrained should you move on to another.
• Focus on different kinds of combinations in the early going. For example, learn at least one throw, one combo heavy on light attacks (X), and another more focused on heavy attacks (Y).
• Don't spread yourself thin by using every new weapon that comes your way. Sure, experiment to see which weapon suits you best, but specialize in only two or three.
• Every time you upgrade your weapon's level you unlock more powerful combinations. Focus on adding these more advanced techniques to your active repertoire in favor of Level 1 combos you haven't yet learned.

Counter Mastery
Quickly tapping X or Y while blocking (Left Trigger) will trigger a counterattack when timed correctly with an enemy's strike. You may find it easier to time this technique when an enemy is in the middle of a combination rather than attempting to correctly time their first attack.

Ready your Obliteration Technique!

While useful one on one, this counterattack technique is best used when surrounded by enemies. Trigger it correctly and you'll find yourself instantly back on the offensive. Master this technique in the first few levels and it will pay enormous dividends in the long run.

Scroll Hints
Take the time to examine any corpses you run across and read their accompanying scrolls. You can be reasonably sure you'll soon encounter a challenge requiring you to use the technique referenced in the scroll's description. Remember too that you can look up each skill's name and description in the Start menu under Scrolls if you can't remember how to execute the referenced technique.

Ultimate Essence
Few enemies will leave you alone while you hold down Y to power up Ryu's Ultimate Technique attack. That said, this frenzied attack will help you to dominate encounters, allowing you to earn you a higher grade (such as Master Ninja) at the level's end.

Luckily, you can use a vanquished enemy's Essence to instantly power an Ultimate Technique attack. Hold down Y while there's unabsorbed Essence floating nearby and then instantly release it once Ryu consumes the Essence. Once the attack is finished, repeat the process immediately, provided there's a few feet between you and the nearest enemy.

Pick off the Lame
Ryu will lop off enemies' arms and legs as a matter of course during a battle, but don't leave these limbless foes alone for a moment. Instead, immediately tap Y when near them to execute an Obliteration attack and finish them off for good in gruesome style. If you don't, they're liable to tag Ryu with a devastating suicide attack.

Hope you saved recently.

Ranged Priority
It's not uncommon to execute a perfectly timed and complex combo only to have it ruined by an arrow, fireball, or flurry of bullets. These ranged attacks can destroy even the most carefully laid plans, so be sure to make any ranged attackers your first priority. Even if you have to jump over and run past a gaggle of ninjas in hot pursuit, sacrifice the occasional hit to eliminate these pesky enemies from the battle first.

A Quick Survey
The action may come fast and fierce, but patience and exploration offer their own rewards, including Crystal Skulls for achievements, Life of the Gods jewels for maximum health boosts, and more. Even brand new weapons like the Falcon's Talons and dual katanas aren't always immediately noticeable.

Check every room in every building you can, dive underwater and comb the watery depths, jump through small slits in walls to uncover hidden antechambers, cut down rice-paper walls, head down side paths and examine statues and other objects of note, and anything else you can think of. Leave your speed runs for your second playthrough, using your first time through to methodically search every nook and cranny. It's worth it.

Ninpo Considerations
Where previous Ninja Gaiden games reduced your overall grade at level's end based on your Ninpo use, Ninja Gaiden II only alters your grade if you have empty Ninpo slots at the end of a chapter. Therefore, use all the Ninpo you desire provided you have enough Devil Way Mushrooms and other Ki-replenishing items to fill your Ninpo slots before you complete the chapter. In other words, refill during a boss encounter and avoid using Ninpo to beat the boss.

With the preceding tips and your own ninja tactics in hand, no fiend or Black Spider Clan ninja should dare oppose you. Well, until you brave the Master Ninja difficulty that is …

Article by Ryan Treit