• Hey, guest user. Hope you're enjoying NeoGAF! Have you considered registering for an account? Come join us and add your take to the daily discourse.

Ninja Gaiden 2 Black Announced | Available Today on Console, PC, and Xbox Game Pass

DanielG165

Member
For any woes about the enemy count/placement:

What NG2B feels like to me, as a long time enthusiast of the franchise, is a compromise/balance of NG2 vanilla and Sigma 2. It maintains the blood and gore, responsiveness, upgrade system, and overall essence of NG2 vanilla, whilst leaving in certain things from Sigma 2 like the auto lock on bow and no no UTs (which I dislike), and how all doors are basically unlocked for you, and health upgrades are auto applied.

While I understand people’s grievances about the enemy count, especially on higher difficulties, I can’t say that I’m too bothered by it myself. Hard feels good for the most part, with some areas perhaps needing more opponents, and others having *added* enemies that weren’t ever there in the original game. Plus… NG2 vanilla was chaos and had definite crackhead energy with the amount of shit it throws at you. While that can be fun just from the sheer ridiculousness of it all (the stair battle for instance), it also leads to situations that can absolutely stunlock the fuck out of you if you don’t know how to deal with them. The amount of explosions and incendiary throwing knives are the two most egregious examples.

The easiest thing to ask for at this point, to make everyone happy, is for TN to include a simple toggle for players to activate whenever they want the, “legacy” experience with the original enemy count. Though, I also don’t know how the consoles will handle more enemies onscreen and not falter; the game is running in UE5 after all. Either TN would have to pare back the fidelity to do so, or drop the resolution and go heavy on the upscaling.

For PC players, we can wait on the modding scene to do that also, and it shouldn’t take too long with 2 Black having released on PC at the same time as everything else. For now though, let’s just give constructive feedback, and wait. The game is brand new, a day old, so TN will very likely be updating and tweaking its values as time goes on.

And, if you’re on Xbox, NG2 vanilla is still available. I have it alongside NG2 Black to swap back and forth whenever I find doing so necessary/feel like it.
 
Last edited:

SkylineRKR

Member
To put it simply; NG2 Black is the definitive version if you only have access to a Playstation console. Its far better than Sigma 2. If you have an Xbox you might think twice, as the OG is always the OG.

I now played the first level of OG on Series S and played 2 Black on PS5 to chapter 5. here are my thoughts;

-OG indeed has more enemies on average, but you can kill them fast and efficient. What surprised me is that I prefer the graphics of OG. It looks incredibly clean, there is no shimmering, no any sort of lag.. nothing. It looks perfect. Even on XSS which caps out at 1440p, this game looks more sharp and vibrant than the PS5 version of 2 Black. The game also feels more responsive but it might be me.

-2 Black nerfed the projectile spam which isn't a bad thing per se. The explosive arrows snipe you accross the map in OG, and there isn't a real way to beat them yet IIRC (in Sigma you can run up to the bridge, for a skull there).

-2 Black has no ammo management, and no Bow UT. I prefer the original.

-You can store life of the gods in OG, and use it for a full heal in clutch.

-The Chapter 3 boss was annoying as fuck in the original game, but in 2 Black its like Sigma 2 nerfed to the point it might as well have been removed completely. You can't charge shots so you are just aimbotting him with infinite arrows. Its really boring.

-OG has Test of Valor, 2 Black doesn't have them.

-In OG you need to find keys and open doors etc, I liked this, it added a small bit of interactivity.

Yeah so after playing both I have to change my initial thoughts. OG is a far better game still. Having said that, 2 Black is far superior to Sigma 2. And if you only have a Playstation and crave some NG then 2 Black is kind of a no brainer. Its absolutely better than the Master Collection, just not as good as the X-enhanced original. If you are absolutely dying to play the best version of NG2, I'd recommend picking up an Xbox One X or Series console if you can find it cheap.
 

MMaRsu

Member
Meh, i don't give a sh*t when the overall package is far superior to the Xbox 360 version. You can always play that version if it scratches the "pure experience" itch for you.
How is the overall package superior to the 360 version when its missing things like Test of Valor?

Cmon man. I like this version but its not superior in any way Besides technical.
 
Yeah so after playing both I have to change my initial thoughts. OG is a far better game still. Having said that, 2 Black is far superior to Sigma 2. And if you only have a Playstation and crave some NG then 2 Black is kind of a no brainer. Its absolutely better than the Master Collection, just not as good as the X-enhanced original. If you are absolutely dying to play the best version of NG2, I'd recommend picking up an Xbox One X or Series console if you can find it cheap.

Nice summary overall.
My only ammendment would be a to play the OG on a Series console vs a 1X if only for a smooth epic staircase fight with zero/minimal framerate drops.

I haven't played the OG in a long time other than the first encounter to compare with Black. I'm going to playthrough Black on Warrior (and maybe even mentor) and then play the OG back to back. If Black is indeed easier, it'll be a good warmup to take on the OG once again.

If I'm still feeling it, I'll attempt a Master Ninja run, but fear my reflexes may be too old for that noise :)
 

Black_Stride

do not tempt fate do not contrain Wonder Woman's thighs do not do not
Meh, i don't give a sh*t when the overall package is far superior to the Xbox 360 version. You can always play that version if it scratches the "pure experience" itch for you.

Other than the graphical overhaul.....nothing about this version is actually vastly superior than the OGBC.

No Karma in campaign.
No Tests of Valor.
No Keys or Lore to collect.
Ranking gone.
Co-op gone.
Enemy number and health Sigma levels.




The graphics and Momiji not being utterly useless are the only things that make this version even worth the purchase.
If it wasnt on Gamepass I wouldnt even bother.
Just go play the OG thats currently like 30 bucks digital 20 for the disk.

apps.26430.70257484970681862.43fe1483-3f1b-4ce0-af17-d7c6408af1b4.91e3dac1-68c9-4a9a-9d66-5de1ee79e10d



Not trying to shit on anyone's parade but lets not act like this isnt actually Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 Remastered and not actually Ninja Gaiden 2 Black.
 

FeralEcho

Member
How is the overall package superior to the 360 version when its missing things like Test of Valor?

Cmon man. I like this version but its not superior in any way Besides technical.
It's so much less clean and pleasant to the eyes as well compared to the original release in 4k.The remake is blurry and full of shimmering with some of the worst dithering hair I've seen on top. Definitive my ass.
 

ManaByte

Gold Member
Meh, i don't give a sh*t when the overall package is far superior to the Xbox 360 version. You can always play that version if it scratches the "pure experience" itch for you.

They lied to us and sold us Sigma again.

I’m not completely mad because the game is still better than any other action game.

But if you want to play the real NGII, you’re going to need to buy an Xbox.
 

Orbital2060

Member
Is the front end attract sequence with the battlefield full of katanas gone in this version? I loved that, used to sit and watch the camera pan around.

Or does it appear after a certain point in the game, I cant remember.
 

ManaByte

Gold Member
I'm glad I own it on PS5 because it is still the best action game ever made, but if you have a 120hz TV I'm sorry but the XSX has the better version thanks to how the console's system level refresh rate can be set to 120hz and still play the game at 60. On the PS5/Pro the console will switch to 120hz mode if you select that in the game, but it sticks to 60hz on any 60fps mode. Having your XSX system refresh rate set to 120hz and sticking to the 60fps mode gives you the better response time of the two 60fps versions. It plays much better and combos are easier.

Is the front end attract sequence with the battlefield full of katanas gone in this version? I loved that, used to sit and watch the camera pan around.

Or does it appear after a certain point in the game, I cant remember.

No it's gone.
 

ManaByte

Gold Member
I just want the original ch11 back. that mission is total pure chaos, it's so much fun
You can still play it. In 4K 60 too!

 
Last edited:
I'm glad I own it on PS5 because it is still the best action game ever made, but if you have a 120hz TV I'm sorry but the XSX has the better version thanks to how the console's system level refresh rate can be set to 120hz and still play the game at 60. On the PS5/Pro the console will switch to 120hz mode if you select that in the game, but it sticks to 60hz on any 60fps mode. Having your XSX system refresh rate set to 120hz and sticking to the 60fps mode gives you the better response time of the two 60fps versions. It plays much better and combos are easier.

wow, didn't know that. I'll make to do that when I do the OG run. Thx
 

NT80

Member
I never played NG2 or 2 Sigma but I read somewhere they took out the orb absorption into Ultimate Technique in Sigma 2. Is that back in this version? If not do UT's have any other trick for faster charge times to replace that method?
 
I never played NG2 or 2 Sigma but I read somewhere they took out the orb absorption into Ultimate Technique in Sigma 2. Is that back in this version? If not do UT's have any other trick for faster charge times to replace that method?
No, orb absorbtion into UT is here. Without the orbs, you can jump and hold Y/strong atk to do an UT. Not as fast as orb absorb, but faster than doing it on the ground.
 

Orbital2060

Member
You can still play it. In 4K 60 too!

Still the best version. It got some enhancements when it launched on BC program. Fixed the stairs in chapter 10.




But this remake is great, though. I have to get some work done, and then Im back on this for the weekend. Could hardly stop playing last night, such a nice surprise. Arigato gozaimashda, game pass and KT.
 

DanielG165

Member
Meh, i don't give a sh*t when the overall package is far superior to the Xbox 360 version. You can always play that version if it scratches the "pure experience" itch for you.
Yeah, the vanilla version of NG2 is still very much available to play on Xbox. I have installed to my Series X alongside NG2 Black, and the MC on PC, so there’s Ninja Gaiden galore to go around at this point, which is awesome.
 
It looks incredibly clean, there is no shimmering, no any sort of lag.. nothing. It looks perfect.
Yes it looks pristine, but let's be fair to remember it didn't look or run anywhere near that in the 360 release, it looks as great as it does now thanks to the backwards compatibility (brute force) upgrades.

Enemy number and health Sigma levels.
Health is the same as NG2, I'm playing both at the same time and the enemies all lose limbs/die as quickly to lvl3 lunar staff in both games.
 

NT80

Member
No, orb absorbtion into UT is here. Without the orbs, you can jump and hold Y/strong atk to do an UT. Not as fast as orb absorb, but faster than doing it on the ground.
That's disappointing. It was really satisfying trying to chain those together, get bigger orbs and do even bigger UTs against tough enemies. Don't know why they took that out of Sigma 2 in the first place.
 

saintjules

Gold Member
The screen keeps blacking out and I just started this thing. Anyone else?

Edit: disabled Dolby Vision option. Seems to work now.
 
Last edited:

Arsic

Loves his juicy stink trail scent
Man NG purists are so annoying.
Yep. It’s like an exceptionally worse version of dark souls people who don’t think you actually played or beat the game unless you play it by their arbitrary made up rules. It’s because they played the “ superior “ more difficult version therefore anything else is total trash and a kids game.

Now to be fair even I think in a souls game summoning people for co-op or using a mimic in Elden ring does absolutely defeat the purpose of the challenge.

And yes there are things that are stupid about the sigma versions of the original three games like number two getting rid of the blood for purple goo.

I had an absolute blast and love this franchise to death without ever playing the versions these purists jerk off to. And while ninja gaiden three definitely has issues I still think it is a great and fun game. Nowhere on the level of one and two, but not Something so bad that it should’ve caused the series to go into hibernation for over a decade.

Loving this remaster/remake so far.
 

RedC

Member
Yep. It’s like an exceptionally worse version of dark souls people who don’t think you actually played or beat the game unless you play it by their arbitrary made up rules. It’s because they played the “ superior “ more difficult version therefore anything else is total trash and a kids game.

Now to be fair even I think in a souls game summoning people for co-op or using a mimic in Elden ring does absolutely defeat the purpose of the challenge.

And yes there are things that are stupid about the sigma versions of the original three games like number two getting rid of the blood for purple goo.

I had an absolute blast and love this franchise to death without ever playing the versions these purists jerk off to. And while ninja gaiden three definitely has issues I still think it is a great and fun game. Nowhere on the level of one and two, but not Something so bad that it should’ve caused the series to go into hibernation for over a decade.

Loving this remaster/remake so far.
posts brian GIF
 

Sub_Level

wants to fuck an Asian grill.
Saw some people online complaining about the camera. There’s a few options in the menu for camera auto-adjustments, I’d say just turn all that crap off.
 
Yep. It’s like an exceptionally worse version of dark souls people who don’t think you actually played or beat the game unless you play it by their arbitrary made up rules. It’s because they played the “ superior “ more difficult version therefore anything else is total trash and a kids game.

Now to be fair even I think in a souls game summoning people for co-op or using a mimic in Elden ring does absolutely defeat the purpose of the challenge.

And yes there are things that are stupid about the sigma versions of the original three games like number two getting rid of the blood for purple goo.

I had an absolute blast and love this franchise to death without ever playing the versions these purists jerk off to. And while ninja gaiden three definitely has issues I still think it is a great and fun game. Nowhere on the level of one and two, but not Something so bad that it should’ve caused the series to go into hibernation for over a decade.

Loving this remaster/remake so far.
There are mechanical differences like the lack of any key items and doors/switches to interact with. In both Sigma and "Black" you are also incapable of doing Rods of Trial challenges, throwing explosive kunai, throwing a giant windmill shuriken, or charging arrows to do major damage. You are also forced to play as a poorly implemented Momji and Rachel (relative to NGS and NG3RE) through retreads of Ryu sections which waste your time and break pacing.
 
Last edited:

MDSLKTR

Member
Did they add dlss to the PC gamepass version yet? Any community fix? Didn't have time to tinker in the settings that much, but couldn't get close to 100fps no matter what settings I turned down on a 4070.
 
Alright I've tested it on my xsx and it does play a smidge smoother, but not completely smooth like NG2 is, so I'm guessing it's UE5/the lighting that's causing these tiny hitches/drops.
play anywhere still the shit though.
 

Generic

Member
There are mechanical differences like the lack of any key items and doors/switches to interact with. In both Sigma and "Black" you are also incapable of doing Rods of Trial challenges, throwing explosive shuriken, throwing a giant windmill shuriken, or charging arrows to do major damage. You are also forced to play as a poorly implemented Momji and Rachel (relative to NGS and NG3RE) through retreads of Ryu sections which waste your time and break pacing.
I wish it would be possible to play the whole Sigma 2 with the female characters, like in Razor's Edge.
 
Here's hoping they can patch some of the missing stuff in as well as maybe a hardcore mode that adds all the enemies from the OG version.

Gameplay: OG > Black > Sigma
Graphically: Black > OG > Sigma

If they can patch the missing enemies and modes, Black could take the crown in both areas for me. It's supposed to be the "definitive edition", so crossing fingers it will be eventually.
 

lachesis

Member
I wonder why GamePass PC version doesn't allow DLSS. :(
Having a bit of stuttering issue on 120hz mode with 4080 Super. Would have to search up what kind of setting I should use...
 

Unknown?

Member
To put it simply; NG2 Black is the definitive version if you only have access to a Playstation console. Its far better than Sigma 2. If you have an Xbox you might think twice, as the OG is always the OG.

I now played the first level of OG on Series S and played 2 Black on PS5 to chapter 5. here are my thoughts;

-OG indeed has more enemies on average, but you can kill them fast and efficient. What surprised me is that I prefer the graphics of OG. It looks incredibly clean, there is no shimmering, no any sort of lag.. nothing. It looks perfect. Even on XSS which caps out at 1440p, this game looks more sharp and vibrant than the PS5 version of 2 Black. The game also feels more responsive but it might be me.

-2 Black nerfed the projectile spam which isn't a bad thing per se. The explosive arrows snipe you accross the map in OG, and there isn't a real way to beat them yet IIRC (in Sigma you can run up to the bridge, for a skull there).

-2 Black has no ammo management, and no Bow UT. I prefer the original.

-You can store life of the gods in OG, and use it for a full heal in clutch.

-The Chapter 3 boss was annoying as fuck in the original game, but in 2 Black its like Sigma 2 nerfed to the point it might as well have been removed completely. You can't charge shots so you are just aimbotting him with infinite arrows. Its really boring.

-OG has Test of Valor, 2 Black doesn't have them.

-In OG you need to find keys and open doors etc, I liked this, it added a small bit of interactivity.

Yeah so after playing both I have to change my initial thoughts. OG is a far better game still. Having said that, 2 Black is far superior to Sigma 2. And if you only have a Playstation and crave some NG then 2 Black is kind of a no brainer. Its absolutely better than the Master Collection, just not as good as the X-enhanced original. If you are absolutely dying to play the best version of NG2, I'd recommend picking up an Xbox One X or Series console if you can find it cheap.
How is it compared to Sigma 2 plus on Vita? That one keeps gore.
 

Gonzito

Gold Member
I wonder why GamePass PC version doesn't allow DLSS. :(
Having a bit of stuttering issue on 120hz mode with 4080 Super. Would have to search up what kind of setting I should use...

The reason why is because its an older build. Microsoft has very strict rules when it comes to QA testing patches and they take longer to approve them. I am sure a patch will come soon to add the missing features
 
Top Bottom