Review of Ninja Gaiden 2: The Dark Sword of Chaos

Introduction

• Sequel to the first Ninja Gaiden game released in 1990 for the NES.
• Known for its iconic box art featuring a dragon.

Gameplay Mechanics

• Controls: Remain precise, similar to the first game.
• Magic System: Reworked with a cap starting at 40, which can be increased by finding scrolls. Offers a streamlined gameplay experience.
• Sub-weapons: Spin slash removed; other weapons from the first game retained.
  • New Weapon: Dragon Balls, act like an upward fire wheel but move downwards.

Shadow Clones

• Collecting orange ninja power-ups spawns a clone of Ryu which copies movements and attacks.
• Can have up to two clones at a time, retained until death.
• Clones can overpower boss battles, reducing difficulty.

Story and Presentation

• Villain: Ashtar, the Emperor of Darkness, plans to conquer the world with the dark sword.
• Plot: Follows Ryu as he attempts to save Irene, who has been reduced to a damsel in distress role.
• Cutscenes: Used to narrate the story, similar to the first game.
  • Ryu meets Robert, a military ally.
  • Ashtar defeats Ryu but is later surrounded and escapes.

Level Design

• Stages: Unique stage hazards such as wind, ice, and lightning.
• Enemy Design: Feels spammy with nonsensical hitboxes.
• Bosses: More mobile, challenging, but can be easily defeated with shadow clones.

Criticisms

• Irene's Role: Diminished compared to the first game.
• Enemy Placement and Hitboxes: Can be frustrating.
• Storyline: Lacks depth and clarity compared to the first game.

Final Thoughts

• Rating: 8/10, similar to the first game.
• Despite flaws, remains action-packed and fun with improved bosses and magic system.
• Music: On par with the original game.
• Conclusion: Ninja Gaiden 2 is a great game despite not being as good as the first in terms of story.

Upcoming Plans

• Next review planned for Ninja Gaiden 3.
• Potential collaboration with another reviewer.

This review was presented by Meme John.