Hacked Limbs, blood, awful camera, dodgy framerate, cheap tactics? All in a days play.
What else? Did the series really make that next-gen jump? No. Graphically the game is very bland and although it isn't what I would call ugly, it doesn't blow me away either. Lets also talk about those frame rate issues. For a fast paced game such as Ninja Gaiden, a stable frame rate is a must. However, there are times when Ryu is hacking and slashing his way through a screen of enemies that the game crawls to an almost standstill. Not good. However, I suppose it does benefit the game. There's nothing like watching a OT in slow-mo. (The sight of body parts being flung across your screen never seems to get boring).
Now that's off my chest, let me appreciate Ninja Gaiden 2 for what it is: the best action game out there. Although, like many, I am disappointed with the title, that does not mean I don't regard the game as one of the best out there. No other game can rival the NG series for its combat. The "infinite" number of combos flow so fluently, look so damn good that when you punch in the buttons for that favourite combo of yours (thinks Vigoorian Flails XXX->XXXXYYYY) you just watch in awe at the level of destruction Mr. Hayabusa himself dishes out. Each weapon feels unique and each combo feels different. It is this part of the game that makes it so special, regardless of all the well documented faults.
After venturing quite happily through the first few chapters, and upgrading some of my weapons to unlock those extra combos, the game started to crank up the difficulty. For sure, the first few chapters were a breeze, and, for those that were playing this for the first time, I'm sure they laughed at all this talk of Ninja Gaiden 2 being a game made specifically for those gamers who liked a challenge. How wrong they were. I found myself constantly blocking and dodging just to let off a few quick combos. Then it was backs against the wall again. NG2 is definitely a game you have to be patient with.
Each enemy has its weaknesses and each enemy can be exploited by a different weapon. For instance, those pesky ninjas, yes, the ones who constantly throw incendiary shurikens, the ones that make you shout "this is so cheap", are easily dispatched with the Vigoorian Flails and Falcon Talons. What about those lumbering dragons, or old cannonball arm? Well the Eclipse Sycth makes short work of them, easily removing an arm or leg for you to tap Y, which then leads to a decapitation of some sort. NG2 can be a lot harder then it is supposed to be if you go in all guns (or should I say weapons) blazing. It is a game that is designed to be hard.
However, this doesn't necessarily mean that is unbeatable. Sure, there will be times when you won't be able to get past a certain point in the game. There will be times when your tempted to throw your pad at your screen (just before you realise how much you paid for that 1080p HD beauty). The solution? Cool down for a bit. If you spend too long trying to get past a certain part you almost get resigned to the fact you can't pass it. And for all those who are complaining the game is cheap, then mimic the game. The "Flying Swallow" technique with the Dragon Sword is very effective. Yes it is by far the cheapest way to dart your way through a boss fight/tight battle but it is a lifesaver nonetheless.
Ninja Gaiden 2 is definitely the most frustrating game I've played, yet it is also one of the most satisfying. You know you have a good game when no matter what the game throws at you, you just keep coming back for more. For me, this is what saves Ninja Gaiden 2. It is by no means a perfect game but even so there is something about it, an allure that just does not let you give up. The game in some ways emulates the spirit of Ryu himself. That never say die attitude definitely filters out of the game and into the player.
Although the game offers little to improve the series, the few added features such as Obliteration Techniques, a rechargeable health bar and a easier difficulty setting definitely do add to the game. Obliteration Techniques increases the 'wow' factor of the game and somehow manages to never get boring. The rechargeable health bar, although slated by some die hard fans, is certainly needed in the game and is most definitely appreciated, especially during the later chapters.
Consequently, for those who are sceptical of the series, I think honesty is the best way forward. The game does not have a story and I still believe that Itagaki's daughter was the author of both series (seriously). This theory is reinforced by the weak attempts to piece together a story with the aid of diary entries. The game does have some technical issues and the camera is nothing short of awful. However, Ninja Gaiden 2 is the best action game out there on a next-gen console and it absolutely wipes the floor with its rival (DMC4) even if it is ugly in comparison. Ninja Gaiden 2 does little to improve the NG series. However, what it does do is it does show how successful the original was. By sticking to the same formula, NG2 manages to still be a good game and we must, at this point, pay credit to the original Ninja Gaiden. This is why it makes it that little bit more frustrating that NG2 failed to live up to the expectations set by the original. Maybe if Itagaki and his team had built this game from the ground up it may have been the game that it was set out to be. A new engine would definitely have helped this game in terms of presentation and would perhaps have helped to iron out some of its technical failures.
With recent events at Tecmo maybe Itagaki and his team could be excused as clearly what has happened shows that parties involved obviously were not cohesive. However, I am just going to take the game as it is as no moaning of mine, or anyone elses, can change the final product. For me, what we have been given is the best action game out there and I have enjoyed every kill, as well as every death, along my hard fought journey.