First, I gave the difficulty "just right" ... why? Not becuase I like to brag about being good but because Ninja Gaiden games are supposed to be hard. This one is no different. I find that it's no harder than Ninja Gaiden Black. Although I'm only on Chapter 7, I've only died a few times against the bosses so far. They bash the environment and textures a bit. Again, there's some levels I've not seen yet, but so far I think it's very good. Not a "leap forward" from the last game, but I'd rather keep the high speed action then get a slower game with cutting edge graphics. The venice-like city was amazing. I give it a 9.0 becuase there's few games I've liked better.
Drawbacks: They changed the blocking-roll move from NG Black.. which is disappointing. I don't like the new one as much. I stop more now whereas I kept moving before. I agree with Gamespot's criticism of the camera. It's not as bad as they say but the 'zoom in' feature can get annoying at times.
Plusses: Techniques are easier to charge, and faster, you can move the camera when you do, and even now take some damage w/out it being disrupted. Most weapons are new and great.
2004 saw the rebirth of the Ninja Gaiden franchise on the Xbox, Team Ninja setting a new benchmark for the action-adventure genre in the process. Four years later and Ninja Gaiden II hasn't had quite the same groundbreak... Read Full Review
The Good: If the core combat wasn't perfected before it certainly has been now, some of the best animations in the business, finally features real successive play , longer than the first game, improved interface, great b... Read Full Review
