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Ninja Gaiden II Black: A Gory Tribute to Itagaki’s Uncompromising Vision

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Ryu Hyabusa is making a long-awaited return to our screens once more. It’s hard to pinpoint the exact last time he was around, but since then, he has been solo in “Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge” from 2012. He took on a supporting role in “Yaiba: Ninja Gaiden Z” in 2014, and his last appearance was in “Dead or Alive 6” back in 2019. As Muramasa, the skilled blacksmith with brows like miniature roofs over his deep-set eyes, might say, “Only a ninja knows where he disappears to.”

As a gamer, I’ve been tearing through Ninja Gaiden II Black, the latest remaster from Team Ninja and Koei Tecmo. It’s no secret that Ryu’s a tech-lover, dating back to his first appearance in an exclusive arcade cabinet, then on the Nintendo Entertainment System with its vibrant, unfinished hues, and finally on the Xbox, where his most intense adventures were fueled by its glowing green power. The “Black” in the title is more than just a suffix; it’s a tribute to the era of director Tomonobu Itagaki, who ruled over the series during the 2000s. He was the one who rescued Ninja Gaiden from the brink of obscurity with the release in 2004, and then he brought back Ninja Gaiden Black a year later, calling it the “best and ultimate” version. For Itagaki, words were weapons, his favorite being blunt – and he didn’t care about any resulting pain.

The new game under discussion is essentially an updated version of “Ninja Gaiden II,” which was originally released for Xbox 360 in 2008. Notably, it marked the final collaboration between Itagaki and Tecmo before he abruptly left, filled with tension and disputes over unpaid bonuses. The lawsuit and out-of-court settlement were unusual for Itagaki, a man known for his long, rocker-style hair, constant use of sunglasses, and penchant for posing with samurai swords in photographs. Fumihiko Yasuda, who worked under Itagaki at Team Ninja, could be seen as the polar opposite of Itagaki. After Itagaki’s departure, Yasuda rose to become the studio president. He directed both “Nioh” games and then produced “Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty” and “Rise of the Rōnin.” According to Yasuda’s friendly proclamation, 2025 is expected to be referred to as “The Year of the Ninja.

Has the new year started out intense for you? The latest Ninja Gaiden II Black certainly packs a punch, especially compared to Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 on PlayStation 3. In the latter, enemies seemed to leak purple gas instead of blood, but in this version, the combat is far more graphic. After a fierce battle with twenty or more adversaries, the aftermath was like feeding a heart into a blender – body parts and gore twitched in streams of gooey mess. This game not only deserved its “18” rating, it seemed to take pride in it.

As a dedicated fan, it’s easy to see why some might think Itagaki’s work is just about style or excessive flair. Yet, it reminds me of Quentin Tarantino, who uses gushing violence as a stylish touch, similar to a dramatic zoom, showcasing his love for cinema. (Tarantino’s “Kill Bill: Volume 1” debuted in 2003, preceding Itagaki’s “Ninja Gaiden” by a year.) For Itagaki, violence isn’t just about brutality; it’s like a code of excessive politeness. It serves as a welcoming gesture to the player and a reward for their dedication. As Gabe Newell put it, discussing the allure of “Half-Life,” “If I shoot a wall, it feels like the wall is snubbing me; I feel a narcissistic wound when the world ignores me.” For Newell, the solution was simple yet visual: “If you shoot at a wall, there must be decals.

Thus, the intricate emblems of mortality on the vintage Ninja Gaiden II and its remastered version, along with the challenging gameplay, are not intended to intimidate or undermine your self-worth. Instead, they serve as a sign of respect from Itagaki towards his players. Despite his tough exterior, Itagaki had deep affection for his gamers. The Ninja Gaiden series is renowned for its steep learning curve; however, Itagaki clarified, “It’s not that it’s a difficult game to master. As you can sense, it’s quite simple. It’s challenging because enemies are exceptionally intelligent and are out there to eliminate you.” This subtle distinction carries significant weight. In contrast to other games that follow the stunned approach, where enemies simply stand still, waiting to be attacked, Itagaki said, “If you approach combat in this manner, it would be more effective to chop vegetables.

In other locations, the freshly released game seems to stumble a bit. Its foundation is built on the Sigma version, which you can identify by the strategic save point placement, the immediate availability of the Izuna Drop attack, and the quantity of enemies. On PS3, these were reduced due to its limited bandwidth for on-screen effects compared to the Xbox 360. The controls have been adjusted negatively, but thankfully, they can be customized to your liking. Despite the high-quality graphics, I find the old version more appealing. The color saturation has been increased and the lighting made softer. Here, the water appears with a dithered, speckled effect, as does Sonia’s hair, which lost its shiny luster along with the moon; in the opening level, I anticipated a silver halogen lamp – a stark warning for the impending madness – but instead received a dull substitute.

As a gaming enthusiast, I can confidently say that Ninja Gaiden II Black remains a fantastic addition to the collection, especially for those who haven’t delved into the original. The best way to experience it, however, is undeniably on the Series X. With its graphics polished and frame rate optimized, it’s a whole new level of enjoyment. Even though Ryu is in something old, it’s still a delight to see him back in action.

What’s even more reassuring is seeing Team Ninja revive Itagaki’s signature brutality – a clue perhaps about what we can expect from Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound and Ninja Gaiden 4, both of which are set for release soon. If this game turns out to be the least impressive among the three, then 2021 promises to be The Year of the Ninja indeed! This is a testament to the talent within Team Ninja as they strive to carry a struggling series into the future while maintaining its rich history. Who knows where they’ll take us next?

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2025-01-27 22:12

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