The Ninja Gaiden 2 Black remaster in Unreal Engine 5, isn't the "definitive" edition KOEI Tecmo wants us to believe.
"Ninja Gaiden 2 Black captures the spirit of its shining source material without quite following to the letter - not a definitive version, but one worth playing nonetheless."
- Stuart Cullen, TechStomper
The fact it was just a Sigma reskin instead of a remake of the real Ninja Gaiden 2.
It's a Sigma reskin with gore added(that they had to cut from the original Sigma version)
The shortened levels and lesser enemy count is still the same from the vastly inferior Sigma version.
It even kept the slower gameplay from Sigma(when compared to the original NG2). WAY less on screen enemies than the original. Less enemy types. The less on screen enemies even changes some boss fights.
It's missing weapons, missing the rod of trails and other easter eggs. All the stuff they had to cut from the PS3 version due to memory constraints compared to the original 360 version.
It's disappointing because it's a lie. I don't want to make a list.
If this or Sigma is the only version of Ninja Gaiden you have played, you won't know what you're missing.
I thought they did a great job. My only complaint is the generic health bars and possibly some other minor things that made the UI cheap and bland looking. That being said, I somewhat agree that it should've been the original, but whatever. I'm just happy we got it because I've been wanting some of that generations action/adventure in my life and despite still having my PS3 hooked up and having Sigma 1 and 2, I find it tough to play those old games all to often.
Honestly, when I heard there was going to be a NG2B I was excited but then I remembered that when they made the Master Ninja Collection, They stated that they had lost the code to the Xbox versions which sucked cause itagaki clearly stated that the Xbox version is the REAL game and it really put me off of playing them because I have all NG’s on my Xbox but I bought the master ninja collection just to have it and actually never played them lol, but with NG2B out, I’m not even sure I want to play it just for the reason that it’s not the Xbox version. The Xbox port is geared towards Challenge and fighting while the PlayStation port is dialed back on fighting and challenge while focusing on story and it’s easy to tell cause the Xbox version is hard and almost unforgiving especially if we’re talking about NGB which doesn’t really care for your feelings lol. But I agree with you even though I haven’t played it yet
Publisher Koei Tecmo and developer Team NINJA have released a new update for NINJA GAIDEN II Black, which adds a “New Game+” option and “Photo Mode,” as well as the ability to hide your projectile weapon while it is carried on your back.
Wow, KOEI TECMO, First Dynasty Warriors and now a stealth drop for NINJA GAIDEN 2 Black. It returns with a new engine and newer, better visuals. Once again, step into the tabi (shoes) of Ryu Hayabusa.
All sounds rather confusing, but if they lost the original source code it probably can't be helped.
I'm enjoying it🤷♂️
I knew it; I was getting a Sigma 2 feel from this version. We also gotta remember the three females weren't playable until the first two Sigma games.
Either that or they were on this remaster for a good while now and got the time to add content from Sigma/Sigma 2 in it.
Its better than the OG by a wide margin. People are so weird about the reduced enemy count in later versions, when all you did in the original was spam UT on the crowds on enemies because they died in 2 hits. Black 2 strikes the best balance, more enemies with more health, improved gore, no stutters/framerate issues to be seen, better loading, etc…
People always will find a way to complain ABOUT ANYTHING. this was an awesome stealth release, and a well done version at that.