Review: Ninja Gaiden II
Review:
Ninja Gaiden II
Posted by: Sarge on 28/06/2008 15:30:38
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No, it's 'Geyeden' not 'Gayden'....
After playing the demo for this, I couldn't wait to get started.
I was greeted with a rather poor graphasized cutscene, involving a woman asking an old man in his deserted restaurant if he knows the whereabouts of a certain ninja, before evil black demon things burst through the door, trash the old man's restaurant and try to kidnap the woman, who promptly loads 3 rounds of pistol into 4 demons before being disarmed, rendered useless, tied up and cornered by four demons.
The first time you see Ryu Hayabusa, you know that he is a man of epic proportions. Sticking 4 Shurikens into the black spider demons intent on killing this woman0, before decapatating the next with a quick lance of his sword. The chief bad guy makes off with the woman, but Ryu decides to take matters into his own hands. Spectacularly dodging 4 axes thrown from a nearby roof, Ryu continues. Killing the next horde of about 15 in quick succession, 12 seconds, the immediate thought 'He's hardcore' springs to mind.
The combat in this game is perfected, for sure. With over at least 700 different combat techniques availible over all weapons, you'll be spoilt with choice on the method you feel like dealing with your enemies. The sword action involved in defeating a gang of bad guys actually has you [i]moving to your feet.[/i] You will be coming back to Ninja Gaiden II for MONTHS, and that's a guarantee.
With the quite unspectacular graphics in the opening cutscene, the actual gameplay grapics are surprisingly visual. And gory.
Which nicely leads me onto.. gore. The amount of blood, guts and decapitation in NGII is utterly mindblowing. The average gamer going through the game on normal difficulty would probably come across at least 80 litres of blood in the first few levels alone. Yes, litres.
The AI on NGII are very intelligent, ranging from limbless downed opponents making a dive with a knife or a shuriken on Warrior level, to 750 enemies all ganging up on you with uber ultimate technique. I completed the game on Warrior (The second level) which was extremely difficult before finding out there are 2 difficulties beyond that which obviously require unimaginable skill.
Also, some of the bosses featured (even in the earlier levels) are extremely difficult, and a lot of casual gamers will no doubt trade the game back in or just leave it to gather dust on their shelves after trying very hard to beat them, and failing. Sometimes, even spam attacks wont work.
One of the few niggles also found in NGII is that behind the action, the city/desert/temple, whatever level you're playing on, doesn't look graphisised in very much detail. But that's not what you're supposed to be looking at, is it?
The attention to detail in the main action is amazing, the engine sometimes allowing around 40 or so enemies around at once.
Ninja Gaiden II has brought life back to the dust-gathering series, and with an impact. Ninja combat at its best.
Review scores:
8.4
Graphics rating
Brilliant attention to detail, although tacky in some places
8.4
Sound rating
A good soundtrack overshadowed by non-stop tense combat
7.9
Playability rating
Very unnerving for new/casual gamers, but totally addictive for the hardcore audience
8.9
Lastability rating
If you like this game, you'll be coming back for ages. If not, it's a different matter.
10
Edge rating
Do I need to say anything?
8.7
Overall rating
Brilliant action graphics and endless combat, but very unnerving for casual players.
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