Lets set things straight. Is Ninja Gaiden 2 as good as the original? Quite simply put, no! Is the camera any better then what it was in Ninja Gaiden Black? To put it bluntly, they somehow managed to make it a lot worse. At times it struggles to keep up with the gameplay and when Ryu finds himself backed into a corner, it loses all sense of direction. This, unfortunately, leads to the all too familiar screen "Game Over" (I go to sleep with that image burned under my eyelids).

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.

Blu's album "Below The Heavens" was definately one of the most refreshing pieces of Hip-Hop to come out in a while. Although many of the beats were repetitive with the same sequence used for chopping up samples, the overall product and message coming from Blu's songs, many delivering meaningful texts in a sarcastic/almost blunt manner, in my opinion accumalated in a very solid album, with "The World Is", which cleverly samples Nas' "The World Is Yours", being the icing on the cake of a very well thought of and well put together album. It's a shame that this form of Hip-Hop is frowned upon because, ladies and gentleman, or should I say, thugs and thugettes, this is what Hip-Hop originally once was.

Yes, females might be called **** (some things don't change) and there is references to crime, but, rather then gloryfiying such matters, artists such as Nas, Blu, Lupe Fiasco, Andre 300, Scarface, Common, Mos Def etc simply provide an insight into what life is like for many growing up in America. Though there tellings are somewhat uncut, the fact of the matter is that they are only being truthful in what they say and are only explaining what they see/saw on a regular basis. Hip-Hop is poetry at its finest and such artists are a credit to those who are searching for a place in this world. However, what I don't appreciate is the current state of Hip-Hop today.

I find myself hanging my head in shame at some of the current material being realised today, which is summed up by Lil Wayne being crowned as "The Best Rapper Alive". Since when did Nas and Jay-Z die? I mean you can't fault him for work ethic and neither can you fault him as an MC. His flow is second to none and what he lacks in subject matter/lyrics he more then makes up for with his distinctive voice and swag. But it is a sad thing to say that Lil Wayne is, at this present moment, the best Hip-Hop has to offer. The man himself probably shakes his head at the naivety of todays Hip-Hop listeners and in my opinion he is milking the moment and taking the game for a ride. But, credit where credit is due. You have to give it to him.

His current release, "Tha Carter III" is nowhere near a classic. Yet Lil Wayne knew regardless of what he put out it would be crowned a classic as he has so many stans the album is bound to go classic. Yes, the album does have a few nice tracks, and I especially like the Dr. Carter track, which boasts suprisingly good production from Swizz Beats, as well as a refreshing concept that only Wayne himself could pull off.

However, the overall content is weak and below par with what I would classify a classic. At best there are 3/4 good songs and the rest are, well, questionable. He would have been better off throwing in some of his mixtape material. To sum the album up, and to sum up how Lil Wayne has declined in recent times (drugs, stans, the fact he knows whatever he puts out, people are going to like it), the so called main track, Mr. Carter, which accomadates the GOAT himself, Jay-Z, fails to move mountains. Wayne drops two questionable verses and is put in his place by a below par Jay-Z. I was hyped for the track but was ultimately left disappointed, a bit like the whole album infact.

So, where is this leading one might ask. Well, I don't know myself. I take a look at current Hip-Hop and I ask myself will it ever be the same. Artists such as Blu and Lupe Fiasco are bright rays in what is a gloomy scene. However, they are just two small fish in a big ocean and I cannot see more artists such as them pushing through. Blu is still underground and Lupe Fiasco, although his latest joint went gold ("The Cool"), still has a somewhat limited audience. Taking into consideration the older heads, I feel as if Jay-Z's heart is no longer in Hip-Hop and I have given up on the hope of him producing another "Reasonable Doubt" which is my favourite album,ever....period. I still think Nas has one last adventure left, one last album in that special pen of his. His album, which he is to release sometime in July (hopefully) is sounding encouraging. After scrapping the controversial title, and, after hearing the Hero track, I think Nas is somewhat back to his best. I just hope he picks better production, and I think he might just take my advice as Hero is a well produced track. Lets wait and see. In terms of sales he won't win any awards this year but I have a sneeky feeling Nas might win critical acclaim for what looks to be his last venture.

From my blog you can perhaps see that I am in favour of concious Hip-Hop. However, I am also a fan of the grittier side of things. Hip-Hop is an art and, in artistic terms, it is up to the painter how he portrays his image. Jadakiss is up there with my list of favourite rappers and, although his albums aren't what I'd call Top 10 material, his mixtapes, as well as his guest appearences, are second to none. Its just a shame some one with so much talent is so lazy. Notorious B.I.G. would turn in his grave (Jadakiss was his "protege").

Whilst I'm on the subject of albums, I'd just mention that, although not the best MC, The Game is a gifted rapper who has natural ability. He also has a good habit of making a good album and I definately know that "L.A.X." will be miles ahead of "Tha Carter III". I'm not a Wayne hater, I actually like his mixtape material and, once you get over the fact he is fake and half the stuff he comes up with doesn't make sense as he often creates rhymes after a heavy session of drugs and ProMeth, he is actually talented. His verses are punchline ridden and, in terms of entertainment, you've got to appreciate his talent. Just don't take it too far and say "he's the greatest" because he isn't.

To wrap things up, so to speak, I'd like to end on happier times. So I'm off to listen to my iPod and my selection of Hip-Hop that mainly comes from the 90's era. If anyone would like to message me there views on this topic feel free to, as, of course, everyone is entitled to their own opinion and I am more then happy to listen to different views on this subject. I hope you enjoyed the read. Keep it Hip-Hop.

If anyone wants to discuss Hip-Hop in general message me. I'm always on the look out for hidden gems I haven't heard and I'm sure I own some material that some of you have never heard.

OP71MUS GR1M3