How can you improve on what is already considered one of the best action games ever made for the Xbox? If you’re up for the self abuse, Tomonobu Itagaki brings you Ninja Gaiden Black, an updated version of one of last years biggest selling games. Originally released on an arcade platform in 1988, the game has evolved into multiple installments on the NES, Gameboy, and SNES that have left gamers always wanting more, and Itagaki San brings it.

You are Ryu Hayabusa, ninja of the Dragon lineage. You have been entrusted with the Dragon Sword, used throughout history to slay the Black Dragons, a weapon said to have been carved from the tooth of a dragon. The Hayabusa clan also protects the Black Dragon sword, a weapon of unconceivable evil. Said to have been carved out of the bones of a Black Dragon, no one really knows what power it holds.

Alas, the evil Vigoorian Empire has set its eyes on the Black Dragon sword, and has attacked the Hayabusa village to claim it as their own. On a murderous rampage throughout your village, they have stolen it. Now, you as Ryu, seek to return it to its rightful owners, and extract vengeance on those who have destroyed all you know. The task is daunting, Ryu against the Vigoor Empire, but nothing will stop the revenge that boils in your blood.

Gameplay

Known lately for the Dead or Alive series, Team Ninja has put together one of the most challenging games to ever grace the Xbox console with Ninja Gaiden, but the new Ninja Gaiden Black raises the bar of brutality even higher. The new Missions mode in the game brings all of last years Hurricane pack updates that were available on Xbox Live for the Master Ninja Tournament. These modes are for the hardcore of the most hardcore gamers out there. Believe me, you must be ichi ban badass to get your way through them! I know what you’re asking, did you complete them all, Gronar? Alas, I’m afraid I’ve reached the age where my reactions are nowhere near what you need to be a ninja master! Thankfully for those of us that are not real life ninja’s, Team Ninja has introduced the Ninja Dog difficulty. Yes, it is for those who are weak and can’t hack the normal difficulty level, and you are berated for your choice by Ayane in game if you choose to use it.

New cut scenes have also been added to the storyline to give a little more insight to the mysterious world of the Vigoorian Empire and the life of the Hayabusa clan. Ryu has an almost unlimited arsenal of ninja moves, magic, and weapons. The action is fast and furious. In the blink of an eye you can go from full health to death! As you progress and upgrade your weapons, new moves are unlocked that help your inner ninja slash through the flesh of your enemies.

Fighting multiple opponents at the same time, you run along walls, block and roll, and sink steel into bone. You gain Karma points as you defeat enemies that are used to evaluate your performance as you control Ryu during his intense battles. Pressing the white button will open the Karma window to see how much you have. At the end of each chapter of the game the total amount of Karma will be calculated and displayed and you will be given a ninja ranking. The rankings go all the way from Ninja Dog up to Ninja Master.

You start out with only the Dragon Sword, other weapons can be found later in the game. The first chapter consists of the Ninja Fortress, to help you learn your sword master techniques with some lesser ninjas. They may seem easy to some gamers, but don’t worry, things get a lot tougher! Blocking is essential to keep moving through the game. Blocking will even deflect bullets from some of your opponents with guns. Jumping and running along the walls is essential to your well being. The action had my adrenaline level pumped up to the max!

The in game camera has to be close too one of the best I have ever experienced in a third person action game, but as typical with this type of game it’s not perfect. In tight quarters it can get confusing. The right trigger will center it behind Ryu’s back. After the first two chapters though you become very accustom to it and it does not distract from game play. The Black version of the game has an improved first person camera view. Click the right thumb stick and look around your environment in first person, great for using the bow and arrow.

With countless moves and new ones learned during the game, this is a feast for the hungry action gamers out there! Power ups and health elixirs can be found hidden throughout the levels in various chests, with Ryu using a ninja kick to open them. Other items increase your overall strength and magic attacks. You will also meet Muramasa, an ancient wise man who runs a shop where items can be bought and weapons upgraded.

Control / Playability

At first most gamers will try to button mash there way through the game, but they will quickly find this will not work. There is a very intelligent combo system for your attack moves that brings up thoughts of fighting games. Learning to block effectively and performing counter attacks is necessary to move forward. It’s almost like an intricate dance once you start stringing your combos together, everything is just awesome to watch! Just when you think you have the hang of it, you meet a different type of enemy that will throw a different attack at you forcing you to modify your fighting technique.

Xbox Live

Ninja Gaiden Black features on-line scoreboards only, there is no on-line gameplay.

Graphics / Presentation

The character models and environments are drop dead gorgeous. This is one of the prettiest games to ever grace a console, on par with some of the high end PC games out there. The frame rate almost never slows down, even while fighting multiple enemies with bullets and shurikens flying! Team Ninja is notorious for there graphics in DOA3 and DOAX, and this just raised the bar again. If any game is pushing the limits of the Xbox console, this has to be it. Draw distance goes on for miles, clipping is rare, and collision detection is dead on. At times I found myself dyeing simply because I was awe struck by the beauty of the whole game. The cut scenes between chapters are outstanding, telling you bits and pieces of the story as you go.

Audio

Everything sound wise is brought to you in the glory of Dolby Digital 5.1. The music is nothing outstanding, but it fits the game perfectly with its Oriental sound. The clash of the weapons is spot on. Dialog in cut scenes is not going to win an Oscar, but gets the point across to the player. Sorry, there is no option for custom sound track use, but how can you slice and dice your opponents while listening to System of a Down?

Replay Value

Ninja Gaiden has the original three NES versions hidden in it, so it will give a lot of re-playability to the old school gamer that wants to play them again. Trying to find everything hidden in the game will keep players coming back for more and more, I know I’ve missed some things so I will play again and again to find them all. Trying to increase your ninja ranking will keep you coming back again and again.

Overall Score

Overall Score: 9.5/10 [not an average]

Additional Comments

Tomonobu Itagaki is a god when it comes to game making. He wasn’t satisfied with what got put into the first Xbox Ninja Gaiden, so he created Ninja Gaiden Black. This has to be one of the slickest, brutal, most breath taking games I have ever played! Frustration factor can be high when you start the game, but once you stop button mashing and start using the combo system as it was meant to be the game becomes very rewarding. The blood and decapitations are full on, this game is rated M for mature. I can’t seem to put the controller down, wanting to get more essence and trying to achieve a higher ninja ranking. The fighting is very satisfying and the mysterious story does a great job unleashing your inner ninja.

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