Ninja Gaiden 2 Black Review – Like A Swallow
We all have those long-forgotten franchises we wish would make a triumphant return in the modern era. For me, Ninja Gaiden is at the top of that list. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve scoured the internet, hoping for any hint of a comeback. While we did get Ninja Gaiden: Master Collection in 2021, it only left me wanting more—especially since the collection was based on the Ninja Gaiden Sigma versions, rather than the original releases. Within the community, the Sigma versions are often seen as inferior due to censorship and other changes, such as reduced enemy density.
Then came the Xbox Developer event, and with it, a dream come true. Team Ninja made it clear they hadn’t forgotten about Ryu Hayabusa. Not only did they announce Ninja Gaiden 4, set for release this fall, but they also surprise-dropped a remake of Ninja Gaiden 2, rebuilt in Unreal Engine 5 and titled Ninja Gaiden 2 Black. The Black subtitle carries a lot of weight within the community, as it has historically signified the definitive version of a game.
Excited and curious, I booted it up, asking myself one question: Is this truly the definitive experience?
Developer & Publisher // KOEI TECMO GAMES
Platforms // PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S (Xbox Game Pass Ultimate)
MSRP & Release Date // $49.99, January 23rd , 2025
Reviewed On // PC (PC Game Pass) and PS5 Pro
Ninja Gaiden 2 Black Is Beautiful

The original release of Ninja Gaiden 2 came out over sixteen years ago, but its remake in Unreal Engine 5 gives it a stunning new look. Personally, I’ve had mixed experiences with Unreal Engine 5 in games like Nobody Wants to Die and Black Myth: Wukong. However, Ninja Gaiden 2 Black is a fantastic showcase of what the engine can do.
The game looks incredible, with crisp visuals and impressive details. Subtle particle effects, like those displayed when casting Ninpo—Ninja Gaiden’s term for magic—add an extra layer of visual flair, making every battle feel more dynamic.
Let’s Talk Performance
My first full playthrough of the game was on PC via Game Pass. Throughout my sessions, I experienced almost no performance issues. I left all the graphics settings at the game’s default, labeled “Standard,” to ensure smooth gameplay. In a fast-paced action game like Ninja Gaiden, high performance is crucial—every moment counts when your back is against the wall in combat, and the last thing I want is frame drops. I would recommend taking a look at the post processing effect settings. It seemed like many players disliked most of these and would turn all of them off.
Thankfully, with my PC specs (which I’ll mention below), the game ran solidly. Any issues I did encounter were so minor and infrequent that I barely remember them.
- Processor – AMD Ryzen 5900x
- 32GB DDR4
- GPU – Nvidia Geforce 3080
Ninja Gaiden 2 Black is PlayStation 5 Pro Enhanced
After finishing the game on PC, I wanted to keep playing. Since I recently upgraded to a PlayStation 5 Pro, I decided to pick it up there as well—not only to experience it on another platform but also to support the franchise directly with a purchase.
I’m currently more than halfway through my second playthrough, and performance on the PlayStation 5 Pro has been just as solid. Ninja Gaiden 2 Black runs at either 60FPS or 120FPS, depending on your display’s refresh rate and the setting you choose. During my play sessions I was averaging 80-120fps. My PS5 Pro is connected to an LG C1, and the game looks just as stunning here. In my opinion, the visuals are comparable to the PC version, maintaining the same level of graphical fidelity.
Cutting Through Limbs Like Butter

The highlight of Ninja Gaiden 2 Black is undoubtedly its combat, which, like the previous entries in the series, is an absolute thrill. Unlike many other action games, Ninja Gaiden encourages players to learn enemy patterns and master complex combos. While button mashing might get you through some encounters, you’ll achieve far more success if you treat it like a fighting game—investing time in learning combos and perfecting your use of the powerful counter stance. The weakest aspect to mention combat wise is when it comes to fighting bosses. Most are forgettable and very much aren’t the highlight of the experience. Thankfully some of the weaker boss fights were removed with this release.
The biggest issue affecting combat, however, is the camera. At times, it can hinder your visibility, leading to moments where you’re injured or even killed due to poor perspective. This is a problem even for veterans of the series, and it clearly shows the age of the original release. Despite this, I was able to instinctively pull off an Izuna Drop before the game even gave me the tutorial, a testament to how deeply the series’ mechanics are ingrained in me.
How Difficult is Ninja Gaiden 2 Black ?
The Ninja Gaiden series is known for its difficulty, but that reputation can be a mixed bag depending on which version you’re playing. For example, the Sigma releases are often considered easier due to changes in level design and reduced enemy density. As players progress through Ninja Gaiden 2 Black, it becomes clear that this version mirrors many aspects of the Sigma release. Because of this, I’d recommend playing on Normal if you’re new to the series or looking for a smoother experience. However, if you’re a veteran or seeking a real challenge, I strongly suggest starting on Hard at a minimum.
Ryu Hayabusa Has Many Weapons In His Arsenal
Throughout your journey, you’ll acquire a variety of weapons to keep combat fresh. By the end, Ryu will have access to nine melee weapons, including his trusty Dragon Sword, the Vigoorian Flail, and the Lunar Staff. Additionally, you’ll obtain two projectile weapons—a bow and a heavy gun. What makes this variety great is that every weapon is viable and excels in different situations. For example, I found the Lunar Staff particularly enjoyable when trying to string together long combos.
Much like the original release of Ninja Gaiden 2, I feel that the weapon drops in this version are poorly paced. The player receives a large number of weapons in the first half of the game, making the second half feel somewhat lacking in new gear. While this isn’t entirely the case, it’s noticeable enough to be worth mentioning. Another issue is that some weapons from the original release are missing, such as the fan-favorite Windmill Shuriken. This is yet another sign that the Sigma version is influencing this release.
Thankfully, when it comes to combat, certain elements stay true to the original game, such as the gore and dismemberment. These features add a lot of flair and style as you slice through ninjas, robots, and creatures with your arsenal.
Don’t Play Ninja Gaiden 2 Black For The Story

Ninja Gaiden 2 Black tells its story over seventeen chapters, delivered through cinematic cutscenes. Set after the events of the original game, the plot begins when Ryu meets CIA agent Sonia—only to discover it’s a trap. The Black Spider Clan attacks Hayabusa Village and steals the Demon Statue, pushing Ryu into a mission to thwart their dark plans. While the story isn’t groundbreaking, it has some thrilling moments, especially towards the end when Ryu battles a formidable werewolf. It’s not that the story is bad; rather, the combat is so engaging that it steals the spotlight as the game’s true centerpiece.
You Probably Won’t Get Lost
As you progress through the story, you’ll notice that the levels are fairly linear, leaving little room for error while exploring. You can also press R1, and Ryu will automatically face the direction you need to go. These features work together to keep the pacing smooth, ensuring the player stays engaged. Personally, I really appreciate this because the original Ninja Gaiden Black had frustrating sections with backtracking and endlessly respawning enemies when revisiting old areas. Those moments really hurt the game’s pacing, but thankfully, that’s not an issue here.
More Isn’t Always A Good Thing
The original Ninja Gaiden 2, released in 2008, consisted of fourteen chapters. This version adds three extra chapters where you play as different female characters: Rachel, Ayane, and Momiji. Each of their chapters is spread throughout Ryu’s main journey. In my opinion, these extra chapters are the weakest part of the game. While the female leads are fun to control, their limited arsenal disrupts the pacing of the main game. It’s a bit frustrating to have a wide variety of weapons with Ryu, only to be forced to play as characters who don’t add much to the experience. This was also a feature in a few other Ninja Gaiden releases, and I wasn’t a fan of it there either. I would have preferred these chapters as a separate option outside the main story.
Missing Features

The debate over which version of a Ninja Gaiden game is the definitive one has been ongoing within the community for years. I was hoping the release of Ninja Gaiden 2 Black might settle this once and for all, but unfortunately, that’s not the case. The reason lies in missing content, such as weapons, costumes, and modes like New Game Plus and Survival mode, which were part of post-launch DLC. Personally, I think this release is a solid package, but I understand why some fans are disappointed. Team Ninja has even released a comparison, which you can check out for more details.
All hope may not be lost, though. In the most recent patch notes, Team Ninja announced that the next update would include “balance adjustments and additional features based on feedback.” While there’s some speculation about what this might entail, I’m hopeful it will address some of the missing content that has disappointed fans.
Verdict On Ninja Gaiden 2 Black
In many ways, the release of Ninja Gaiden 2 Black is a dream come true. Not only did fans get a stunning remake of one of the best action games ever, but it’s also attracted a whole new audience. I see countless posts on my timeline from gamers experiencing Ninja Gaiden for the first time.
While the game does have a few pacing issues with the added characters and isn’t quite the complete package due to missing content from previous releases, it’s still hard to deny that Ninja Gaiden 2 Black is one of the best games in the genre. If you’re a fan of action games, I highly recommend playing it as soon as possible.
This game was purchased on PlayStation 5 Pro by the reviewer, in addition to the PC version being accessed through PC Game Pass.
Final Score – 8/10
Pros
- Thrilling action combat
- Wide Variety of Weapons
- Looks Gorgeous in Unreal Engine 5
Cons
- Camera can be unpredictable at times
- Poor pacing due to added characters within main story
- Missing content that could have made this truly definitive