Ninja Gaiden II: Rhymes with “Look, I cut you in two!”
While thinking of my next Girls & Gaming article about, well, girls and gaming, I decided to write up a quick game review. I just recently picked up Ninja Gaiden II (actually, my boyfriend did, but it’s my game by default because I’m awesome. But let’s keep that a secret) and Ryu Hayabusa is back kicking butt and, well, kicking more butt. I loved the other Ninja Gaiden games, especially the PS3 version, and I’ve always been a fan of button-mashing hack n’ slash, like Champions of Norrath, Arkadian Warriors, etc. But man, does this game blow me away!
First, the graphics are amazing. I mean, you can actually see the blood splatter in individual drops. The bodies basically stay piled up so you know the engine’s working hard to keep the visuals there and not drop the ball by glitching or slowing down game play. (Though they do go away after you run out of an area and then go back.) The cut scenes show people who look almost human. I haven’t seen a human-looking person (I mean, seriously looks like a human) since Heavenly Sword.
Second, the weapons and moves are fantastic. You start off with Dragon Sword and then work your way up. There is a good range of short, mid, and far range weapons. Along the way you get the Lunar Staff, Falcon’s Talons, Dragon’s Claw and Tiger’s Fang, Kusari-gama, Eclipse Scythe, the Tonfa, and Vigoorian Flail. Yes, those are all the weapons that I have found that you can use. (I personally am a fan of the Lunar Staff. So much carnage so quickly!) Besides hand to hand combat, you also have access to distance weapons, like throwing stars. You can also upgrade and purchase weapons from shops you come across. You also get abilities like Art of the Piercing Void and Obliteration Techniques. The list goes on, so I’ll just sum it up and say that each helps you defeat enemies quickly and gore-ily.
As for the game play, it’s fun. The movement is fast. I mean, like super fast. So fast I actually had to stop playing after 45 minutes because I started to get motion sickness. Sometimes I couldn’t figure out where I was, it was that fast. I loved it. It was so fluid and quick, which of course if you played the PS3 version would already know.
Now for the cons.
First off, the controls are a little quirky. There are other controls besides default, but when I switched to them I couldn’t get some of the ninpo (your magic or super moves) to work, so I think it switched the buttons for the ninpo and I couldn’t figure out what buttons to hit. The game doesn’t give you a tutorial based on the controllers you choose, just the original settings, so be warned.
Second, the story is so-so. I mean, really, the game just is about pretty violence. The story is kind of weak, and the supporting characters are kind of forgettable.
Third, the camera view. I don’t know what they were thinking about the camera view. It doesn’t stay behind Ryu the entire time, so you have to hit the left trigger to keep it behind you. And if the camera isn’t behind you, it’s really hard to see what’s up ahead (or right in front of you).
My last complaint is the save system. I hate all games that make me run to a save point. What’s worse is that the game saves in Ninja Gaiden II are few and far between. Granted, you can heal at the save point, but once you’ve saved there you can’t go back and resave! With all the enemies and death n’ destruction being handed out, you’re going to wish there were more save points.
The game saves, or lack thereof, definitely is playing the biggest part in my score. However, with all the other great features of this game, I’ll give it….
8 Gir Screams out of 10.
I am excited about this game finally coming out! I enjoyed the first one alot. I haven’t gotten a chance to play it yet so thanks for the review.
Hmm.. 8 out of 10 that seems generous. I am big on controls and camera view though. I like games that allow you to do a plethora of kicks/punches/combos with not too complicated of a button sequence. I would say the Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks was perfect for controls and all. Its too bad about the camera views
Is the storyline anytype of continuation from the first ninja gaiden? Or is it seperate all together?
[...] San-edu wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptMy last complaint is the save system. I hate all games that make me run to a save point. What’s worse is that the game saves in Ninja Gaiden II are few and far between. Granted, you can heal at the save point, but once you’ve saved … [...]
It’s a completely separate story (if my memory serves me correctly.) You’re out to find your enemies who have kidnapped a woman who is looking for Ryu. It’s kind of vague at the beginning and I don’t want to ruin it for anyone!
Oh, and I gave it an 8 out of 10 because while the story is weak, it makes up big time in game play. I could play it for hours (motion sickness not included) and while the camera view can be annoying, after a while you get used to it.
I have to say that I’m more of a first-person shooter/sandbox (GTA, Crackdown)/role-playing (Oblivion, Disgaea, Final Fantasy) player, but Ninja Gaiden II looks freaking beautiful. I’m so not used to mashing the buttons though that it actually wore out my hands and I had to stop after hitting a save point.
Also, in my experience, only the blood splatter effects disappeared as I ran around. I had the bodies sticking around in all their gorey.
Wow 2 ratings of 8… hmm.. definately gotta demo it and possible buy. Ohhh and bodies that stick around.. nice and realistic that is a plus
It’s a super great game. I love it! My bodies didn’t stick around the whole time, but I kept running back and forth trying to make sure I found everything, so maybe that’s why mine disappeared after a while?!?!?
Kirsin, maybe you should do hand exercises?:)
Kirsin what do you rate the game out of 10? (other than a good hand workout )
It seems like a lot of games are starting to do the button mashing by prompt on the screen (do you get the prompt for this game? where it tells you to bash Y, X, A etc.) I could handle it but it’s not a game I could play much of.
Doll, I know what you’re talking about. And so far, there hasn’t been any of that button prompting. It’s literally hit A or X repeatedly for attacks, but the game doesn’t tell you what to hit or when.
oh thats one thing I hated about the spiderman game was that you there were alot of places where you had to hit a specific button at a specific time. Pain in my kiester
Hey god of war had that button prompting stuff too its cool but sometimes i feel cheated… like the game didn’t have enough confidence in me to take out the enemy myself with my own combo….so it gave me a crummy sidekick… I mean hey come on superwoman flies solo =)
LOL Smiles don’t you mean supergirl*LOL* yeah I used to be a DC Comic guru–Though you must admit some of the moves they did with button prompts on Spiderman I could never have pulled off–was still abit annoying but the affects could be kool at times
Yeah uhh supergirl
And true Rav some button promts allow for awesome affects.. I think it was my favorite in Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks nothing topped the finishing fatality moves epsecially Liu Kangs Shaolin Soccer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rV8H-tRD_lM)
For all other fatalities ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMuqCSZXzbs) cool flicks but WARNING not for faint hearted or pregnant or high blood pressure ect.
So I finally got around to the demo and the game is very very nice I think it is awesome… however, I hate the camera… I miss half of the moves I do and the other 3 guys behind me b/c of stupid camera.. I guess if you can get the hang of the camera gameplay is much more enjoyable
Ok now I guess I am going to have to try the demo–hell I still haven’t tried the demo of the new battlefield yet*LOL*
WHAT!! Rav! you gotta try ninja gaiden! a must do! tell me what you think of it when you get around to trying it out (today of course!)
well it might be later on tonight, but I will give it a shot and will tell you what I think. Have you tried the new battlefield demo? I downloaded it but have yet to even try it
no i didnt try that yet… how is it? i still have to try quake wars too… i’ll download that battlefield demo and see how it is…
I would honestly hold off on quake wars unless you can rent it*LOL* its an ok game but I sure wouldn’t have wanted to spend $60. on it. The single player is ok, and the mulitplayer is alright also. But its not one of those games that I’m like ooooh i can’t wait to get home to play kinda games. I still haven’t tried the battlefield demo yet*LOL* and I swear I am going to download ninja gaiden tonight and give you the Wulfie report on it*LOL*
ok i played the demo and now here is the infamous Wulfie Report*LOL* ok people no groans from the audience. Anywho I played Ninja Gaidens demo today and I thought it would pretty much blow chunks for the most part which is why I haven’t rented it yet. But oh contrare mon ami–this game freakin rocks. I played the demo twice just because I was addicted to all the blood*LOL* I will admit the camera angles do need abit of work, I found it was always best just to go on the offensive as soon as you rounded a corner*LOL*. The dragon sword is nice and all but its the Lunar Staff that really …(oops almost slipped into rated R ladies sorry) errr made my day*LOL* for those that laughed thank you, for those who didn’t sorry I have a bad habit at poor jokes*LOL*– but anyway you charge that bad boy up and some people are going to china town the hard way*LOL* So all in all a very enjoyable experience…and yes I will say this for like the 1000 time it seems—thanks smiles for getting me to play such a rockin game
Stay tuned next for my report on the new battlefield. I know everyone is just waiting in anticipation for my next report 
LOL!!! great report! and funny to.. the Wulfie Report never fails to entertain
“thanks smiles for getting me to play such a rockin game”
Your very welcome.. that’s what I am here for to make sure no one misses out on the great demos! I still haven’t tried battlefield yet but I am gonna get to it this week
After your report I think I am going to go play demo again! its soooo fun!
By the way I found quake wars to be a pretty fun game.. I did pretty good at the demo too… it was like H3 with different types of objectives.. wasn’t too bad but like you said not a game to spend $60 on b/c not the “rush home almost get in a wreck” to play game
I only played a couple of matches last night on Battlefield and it still has the annoying problem the others have……NO freakin Lobby, for some reason that just irks the shit out of me, that and I don’t think you can go prone. I could be just errr challenged on that one though*LOL* I got my guy to kneel but never go prone. The Graphics are good on the game though and the enviroment is like 90% destructable….I know this because a guy with a rocket launcher decided if he couldn’t shoot me from outside he would blow a big freakin hole in the ceiling where I was hiding….needless to say poor Rav feel through the floor and died as a result of the explosion*LOL* Its an objective game like quake wars for the most part but instead of multiple objectives you have just one. The ballistics in the game are steller though, I could watch the dust pop up from a missed sniper shot on a guy running. Ohhhh for those who played the first…..no parachutes this time. I watched a guy try and was very unsuccessful*LOL*
Don’t get me wrong on Quake Wars, it is a decent game and if you don’t have anything else better to play like say……Crab fishing on the worlds deadliest catch(LOL Sorry Doll had to throw that one out there*LOL*) it can be entertaining for a few hours to break up the monotony of some of these other games. Its just not a game I want to “rush home almost get into a wreck” to play. The online isn’t bad either, my problem with it is that I only know of two people who play it–so I end up playing with abunch of people I don’t know and while…hold your breath ladies this may be a shocker… there are times I am not actually a sociable person online*LOL* So I don’t really get to know any of them and the chances of playing with the same group again are slim and nill*LOL*
ok yes I know….Bad Rav no more books*LOL* so I will leave off my Wulfie Report of Bad Company. Hmmm what sounds better the Rav Report or the Wulfie Report?????? Survey says?
LOL!! thanks for the Rav Report (that one is kinda catchy) 90% destructable huh? That sounds like it could get fun quick! I still haven’t gotten around to playing it yet but definately on the to-do list this week.
Yah what is with games and no lobby? Perhaps they are trying to cut down on trash talking between games and all.
LOL!! what Doll!! “crab fishing” hmm… seems like someone is hunting for EASY achievements.. ROFL!! so how is it?
Yeah it is slow paced but totally tactical, and yeah I played again last night and had a freakin tank blowing the crap out of the house I was sniping out of. I guess when you take out enough of the other teams snipers it tends to annoy them somewhat*LOL*
what is the next hot game coming out anywho? I am sure everyone is just dieing for the next Rav Report( it is rather catchy isn’t it*LOL*)
Hmm good good question Rav…. most recent one I heard about was Ghostbusters (there is an article) and you can read my opinion on the game in there….
I think UT3 Comes out soon as well–like a few weeks I believe. Will have to look that up
Smiles don’t think your going to beat me in posts this month either… I have alot of free time on my hands Mu ha ha ha..ok maybe tooo much*LOL*
Oh And I would like to get back to Doll and her easy achievements before it gets lost in the shuffle*LOL*…inquiring minds want to know…how do you crab fish on a video game anywho?
“Smiles don’t think your going to beat me in posts this month either” ROFL!!!!! (the evil laugh was great too!)
Whatever Rav I will beat you in posts this month… no more giving you freebie videogames at my expense… grrrrr….. and way to go WASTING your free game on crummy Quake Wars! geez you know good and well that is NOT a “rush home almost get in a wreck” to play game LOL
I’m gonna have to stop asking you questions and talking to you I am practically handing posts……
Yah Doll whats up with the crab fishing? Does the game come with a fishing hat too? You know 50 extra achievement points for catching crabs with your hat on???
LOL the hardest part is probably avoiding getting killed by your “deadliest catch” ROFL!! *Smiles re-enacts getting pinched to death by crabs*
LOL smiles again its never a dull time reading your posts–I had to clean off my monitor on one the other day because I was reading it while drinking a coke*LOL* I had coke up my nose and all over my monitor
And oh its on like donkey kong now smiles…I am the post king…to quote Mohamed Ali ‘” I’m da king of the world, I’m pretty, I’m a baaaaaad man” LOL
lets do the math..hmmm carry the 5 and subtract the 10….dammit I did it again. How is it by my calculations I am actually having to pay Doll to post.. Ok forget the raise we need to renegotiate my contract( boy do I seem to be saying that alot lately).
Na Quake was worth it as a freebee, it kept me entertained for more than a few hours. But they again hey I will never turn down a freebee*LOL* Though Is it really a freebee when I work my poor fingers to the bone entertaining everyone on here….Doll I need a raise
Yeah Doll your being awefully quiet about your Crab fishing adventures…Seriously what is the game like though? I have tried some of the hunting and fishing(which is a pain in the ass let me tell you*LOL*) oooops did I just admit to easy achievements….errr no let me rephrase that.. I have heard about people who have played hunting and fishing games….Smiles quit looking at my achievements and laughing now..its not funny
ROFL!!!! “Smiles quit looking at my achievements and laughing now..its not funny” that is funny…
I have to say you are entertaining as well Wulf and good Ali impression LOL… come to think of it that game really wasnt a freebie for you huh? You worked hard posting…
Since your Mohamed Ali I guess that makes me Joe Fraizer ( who beat Mohamed Ali by the way) *puts fists in the air*
ROFL way to go Joe–but I think this is going to be more like the Rumble in the Jungle and your going to be George Forman, watch out for the Ropadope
, at least you understand though Smiles. I mean it takes talent to pull all of this corney stuff out of the air like I do. But as long as I’m making someone laugh then its all good.
Well hey I just enjoy the sight and commenting on the different article..I don’t care if I win a videogame and what not I’m just havin’ fun
Yeah thats what I am talking about *LOL* Its all about having fun and I have been rolling constantly on this site–you always have me cracking up.
DOLL!!! she is avoiding the crab fishing examination… gee guess i should go out and try it myself…
Well one tries
but I am still waiting to here more about Doll and her Crabs….oh that didn’t sound good at all did it 
sorry doll I couldn’t help it*LOL*, i am going to keep razzing you till I hear what the game is like…you know that don’t you 
hmmm I might want to think better of razzing doll…at least warn be before you ban me
on a totally unrelated note I am red as hell from a sunburn, and I have been putting some crap on the affected areas to keep them from peeling and the phrase “it puts the lotion on its skin and it does what its told” from Silence of the Lambs keeps popping up in my head……ok smiles I know your laughing but I never hear laughter from anyone else….is it that smiles and I are the only ones on the same wavelink(sorry about your luck smiles*LOL*)
“Doll and her Crabs” LOL!!!! Rav you better not get yourself booted!
ROFL!!!! “Silence of the Lambs” that was too funny! geez Rav who would I talk to if Doll banned you? But atleast a warning seems fair
LOL I saw that game for the first time at walley world today–i will have to stop by my favorite little game shop to see what its truly about since miss Doll won’t enlighten us*LOL*
Smiles yeah I knew you would get a kick out of the Silence of the Lambs comment and the crabs comment*LOL*–I guess we are the only two who finds me entertaining( not sure if thats a good thing or a bad one*LOL*)–well at least I have a captive audiance of 1*LOL* just trying to decide if I need to take my act to hollywood or not…..hmmm decisions decisions.
Hehe yah decisions..hmm.. i’ll have to check and see if the crabs are available to demo at my local game store
Hey I’d buy tickets to your Hollywood show as long as it isn’t the same night as crab fishing
“I have tried some of the hunting and fishing(which is a pain in the ass let me tell you”
RAV WHAT IS THIS!!! I sooo missed that comment! ROFL!!! so why do you tell everyone how FISHING and HUNTING achievements go and how are your crabs? LOL
hey I play some of the cabela’s stuff from time to time and some of them…cough cough deal with fishing as well. No crabs here just lots of salmon and trout*LOL* The last of which isn’t half bad even when roasted over a roll of TP *LOL* ok smiles I know your ass is laughing now….ok thats a true story I will have to go in depth later. One of those crazy things one does when hungry and a jarhead*LOL* Oh on the plus side I showed my mad fishing skills by tickling him out of the water….mad survival skills here ladies let me tell ya*LOL*
“true story ” ROFL!! words fail me Rav…
LOL ok I was doing drug ops in the chiricawa national forest in Arizona along the border. We had been on a week long excursion through the mountians and near the end of our tour we found a cabin. Well being marines we errrrr wanted to make sure that there was nothing illegal going on in said cabin so we let ourselves in (via a big foot from a 265 lb beast of a medic). Well anyway we found some alcohol(which is one of the main contributers to bad behavior in the marines*LOL*) and had a party the last night of our ops mission(in which we drank all the alcohol and ate everything we had). Well our finish up route brought us fairly close to some camp grounds and as a result we had to wait another 2 days for a pick up. And to make matters worse it started raining and soaked everything pretty damn good. Well we got hungry and started looking for food, my mad skills as a boy scout once again came into action and I tickled a nice fat trout out of the stream. Well since everything was soaked I couldn’t start a fire and used the next best flamable thing*LOL* a Roll of TP(which does not burn long mind you so the trout was 1/2 sushi*LOL*) and thats my story and i’m errr sticking to it*LOL* For more amazing adventures and help on achievement points ladies and gentlemen don’t forget to call 1-800- Rav-Wulf
ROFL!! “tickled a nice fat trout out of the stream” that one made me cry
So you guys broke into a cabin and stole some alcohol? What did the cabin owner think about that?
hey thats what you call it when you catch them by hand…you slowly slide your hand up under them and yank them out on the bank. so THTHTHTHTHTHTHT, well lets just say the cabin owner hadn’t been there in a while. I think it was a summer cottage..yeah I know bad rav..(smacks myself on the hand) but I am sure he was none to happy about the door, thats for sure
ROFL!!!! “tickle” I get a picture of you fishing like the bears do for trout… How did anyone ever come up with the phrase “tickle” for hand fishing? Did the trout laugh?