Topic: Ninja Gaiden 2 Black/NG 4 announcement

So I'm sure you may be aware that Ninja gaiden 2 black shadow dropped or rather Izuna dropped yesterday. Just wondering are you getting it? I definitely will be! Love these games! Heck I've been a fan since the Nes Trilogy. Can't freaking wait for Ninja gaiden 4! Take my money! Money that vanish quickly without trace!

So yeah I'm excited. A few questions on NG 2 black though.

Does it have the tests of Valor from the original Ninja gaiden 2 on xbox or is it more based on the sigma version? Are the crystal skulls still in the game and what about unlockable costumes? Anything new? I saw the new graphics and it looks like more than just a typical remaster. More like full on remake. Oh and for those interested a physical copy is available on playasia. I might just double dip digital and physical.

Bring on Ninja Gaiden 4 and remember, Go Ninja! Go Ninja Go!

@Truegamer79 total noob to Ninja Gaiden but my question is, why release a remake of 2 in particular? Was it considered the clear best of the trilogy or something? Even then… seems a bit weird that the whole trilogy wasn’t remade 🤔

@Truegamer79 - The Tests of Valor have been cut, crystal skulls are still in. Only played the first chapter but its definitely more Sigma 2 than OG NG2. The Buddha fight is gone but things like automatic use of Lives of a thousand Gods, Izuna with a lvl1 Dragon Sword are in and save points auto heal. Enemy count seems to be lower too. No idea about costumes yet.

I caved and bought the game. I’m also very curious to see how this version plays out. On a side note, Ninja Gaiden was the reason I bought the original Xbox. It’s one of my all time favorite games, even the 2D versions. And speaking of - what a year it’s going to be for Ninja Gaiden, with Ragebound also releasing this summer.

@graymamba
Well it seems NG 2 according to the announcement trailer was chosen because it was one of those most solid action games of the series. Whatever that means. Most people probably liked the first of these better, but seeing as NG 2 is more straightforward linear action maybe that's why. The original xbox game and black was a mix of action and exploration. Then NG3 Razors edge was also linear and just a straight up hack n slash as well.

Hope they're considering remakes of the whole trilogy.

@Truegamer79 definitely like the sound of the less-linear original than the sequels from your explanation.

The did release the trilogy collection a few years ago on ps5… dunno whether they were just straight ports or if they were remastered in any way but their on the store.

@graymamba
That's the master collection. Those are basically just a repackaged collection of all three games in the trilogy but they are identical to the Sigma versions of the first 2 and Razors edge for the third. I have them on switch.

@Truegamer79 I take it that the Sigma versions were objectively worse than the original versions?

@graymamba
Probably. I think digital foundry did an analysis of them for comparison and load times and some of the resolution is better on the master collection but framerate especially on switch is wonky. They're decent enough but it's debatable which are better.