Ninja Gaiden 2 - Kicking your ass this June

[diskoboy]

To all the sado-masochists who loved the first Ninja Gaiden on Xbox - me being one of them... There will be no summer drought for you, this year!

Team Ninja has announced NG2 will see a June 3rd release in North America, and "..Early June, worldwide.".

:D

http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/20/gdc08-ninja-gaiden-2-to-hit-north-america-june-3-worldwide-earl/

[Sotenga]

I REALLY need to play through NG on the XBOX again... better yet, I should get NG Black. I remember liking it a lot (and being frustrated to the edge of pissery with many a boss), but I thought the ending was a total peter-out, what with the weakass final boss and the ending leaving me somewhat dry. I hear NG Black rectifies that problem, though, so I'll definitely be going for that to prepare for NG2.

As for how the game looks, it appears to be even more balls-to-the-wall than the first. Look for a severe OUCH at 2:42: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EsetNU-8pA&feature=related

[kaedesdisciple]

I REALLY need to play through NG on the XBOX again... better yet, I should get NG Black. I remember liking it a lot (and being frustrated to the edge of pissery with many a boss), but I thought the ending was a total peter-out, what with the weakass final boss and the ending leaving me somewhat dry. I hear NG Black rectifies that problem, though, so I'll definitely be going for that to prepare for NG2.

As for how the game looks, it appears to be even more balls-to-the-wall than the first. Look for a severe OUCH at 2:42: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EsetNU-8pA&feature=related

Seriously, just get NG Black and get it soon. With all of the hype surrounding NGII the price of NGB copies are likely to shoot up over the next few months, or if you have the HD space, just download it onto your 360. Either way, it is worth playing and worth finishing. I just did it recently after putting it down for almost a year and I am glad I finished it.

I look forward to having this game force me to break some controllers over the Summer.

Edit: I just watched the footage, can I preorder it yet?

[diskoboy]

Edit: I just watched the footage, can I preorder it yet?

Yes! I pre-ordered my copy back in early December.

[diskoboy]

Wow.... Way to bait and switch, MS!!!

You advertise the Demo as 'coming soon'. Today, it went live.

The only problem is, while it was still technically a "demo", it was a demo of SOMEONE ELSE playing the game.

This months, "WTF?" award goes to Microsoft. You guys just pissed a ton of people off.

[diskoboy]

Demo coming in May :D

http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/27/ninja-gaiden-ii-demo-coming-in-may/

[Viraneth]

All I can say is, from what I've heard: Fighting baddies on the statue of liberty with a scythe or claws? Bitchin'

[The 1 2 P]

Saying this game will be difficult is the understatement of the year. And I can't wait.

[diskoboy]

Reviews are starting to trickle in.... mostly good.

Either way, I'm getting antsy for the 3rd, already.

And where the hell is the demo we were promised? I'm surprised about the publics lack of interest for NG2, when the first one kicked so much ass..

[TheDomesticInstitution]

I'd love to give this a go, but I don't have a 360. Fuck. There's absolutely no chance that this will come to PS3, right? It's a Microsoft Studios partnership with Tecmo right? Oh well, I may eventually pick up a 360 in the future. The 1st one was an amazing game. One of the few games I completed last year. I know I got to it a bit late.

[ProgrammingAce]

Zero chance of this coming to PS3...

[Ed Oscuro]

First off: I loved Ninja Gaiden on Xbox, and I do need to heed the advice of people in this thread and get Black (and NG2, sometime after it hits shelves and has started falling in price).


I REALLY need to play through NG on the XBOX again... better yet, I should get NG Black.
Even better, go get Otogi 2 while you're at it.

Edit: Wait, knowing you, you probably already have it. :D


All I can say is, from what I've heard: Fighting baddies on the statue of liberty with a scythe or claws? Bitchin'
Already done in Shadow Dancer on the Genesis ;)

[diskoboy]

If you have a Japanese live account, the demo is up.

Everywhere else: no dice. All they're saying is "soon".

But by then, the game will be out. So that pretty much defeats the purpose.

Thanks for totally screwing us, Tecmo! I hope those 14 Japanese people with 360's enjoy their demo.

[Gentlegamer]

Zero chance of this coming to PS3...Why's that?

[Sudo]

If you have a Japanese live account, the demo is up.

Everywhere else: no dice. All they're saying is "soon".

But by then, the game will be out. So that pretty much defeats the purpose.

Thanks for totally screwing us, Tecmo! I hope those 14 Japanese people with 360's enjoy their demo.
I made a Japanese account, but by the time I found out that the demo was up Microsoft had begun blocking all IPs outside of Japan from downloading it, even if you set your console's locale to Japan.


Why's that?

Because it's published by Microsoft.

[The 1 2 P]

Because it's published by Microsoft.

Also because Itagaki doesn't like the PS3.

[Borman]

Been playing the final version, and its just bleh so far, only an hour or so in, not counting all my deaths.

[G-Boobie]

I love the Xbox NG, enough that I picked up NG Sigma and played through it again.

The DS game is great, too.

I might actually fire up my 360 again come June, looks like.

[Sudo]

Apparently we're getting a demo tomorrow. (http://www.xbox360fanboy.com/2008/06/02/ninja-gaiden-ii-demo-hits-xbox-live-tomorrow/) Great idea to release a demo on the same day the retail game ships, Microsoft! :frustrated: It'll hold me over until Wednesday I suppose, since my local stores pretty much never get new games in on Tuesdays.

edit: It seems Microsoft unblocked the Japanese demo finally, I'm downloading it right now.

[The 1 2 P]

edit: It seems Microsoft unblocked the Japanese demo finally, I'm downloading it right now.

How did it play?

[Sudo]

I liked it a lot. The gameplay is really smooth and fluid, with minimal screen tearing and no framerate drops that I noticed. The camera is kinda bad, but if you're used to it from the other games like I am then it probably won't bother you very much. The demo gives you the Falcon's Talons, the Dragon Sword and the Scythe all powered up to level three, and you can pickup the Lunar along the way. Obliteration techniques are a sight to behold, and are quite satisfying. Can't wait to pick up the retail game on Wednesday.

[The 1 2 P]

Thanks. Sounds like another winner for Tecmo.

[diskoboy]

Well.... No demo for US and Canada

Thanks alot, MS.

[DiabolicalAdvocate]

I just finished the first couple of chapters and I'm having a great time, but then again I'm a NG fanatic. If you weren't a fan of the first game, this one isn't much more accessible, though the first boss is much easier this time around.

My only complaint so far should come as no surprise; the camera is terrible. It seems to be worse than it was in the first game, but that may be because the action is quicker.

[Sudo]

I just finished the first couple of chapters and I'm having a great time, but then again I'm a NG fanatic. If you weren't a fan of the first game, this one isn't much more accessible, though the first boss is much easier this time around.

My only complaint so far should come as no surprise; the camera is terrible. It seems to be worse than it was in the first game, but that may be because the action is quicker.

Try setting the third-person camera to max speed, it seemed to improve the game for me in the demo at least.

[DiabolicalAdvocate]

Try setting the third-person camera to max speed, it seemed to improve the game for me in the demo at least.

I'll give it a shot...

[diskoboy]

Another Ninja Gaiden masterpiece. I hope MS gives Itakagi a job... I know I'm gonna be wanting a 3rd installment.

My only complaint, so far, is the camera and less emphasis on exploration, compared to the original. But it's still just as masochistic as the first Gaiden. Even on the Path of the Acolyte mode. You get bombarded by enemies. The finishing moves are a nice touch.

And thank god they left the Japanese dialogue. The English dialogue isn't all that great.

[danielscheil]

Codefree asia version @ PA for 49,90$ only (klick) (http://www.play-asia.com/SOap-23-83-2l1x-71-dw-49-en-84-j-70-2hcx.html) it includes english voice & text

[Sudo]

I'm getting it from Gamefly for $39. The only bad thing is that I likely won't receive it until Saturday, since they ship new games on Thursdays for some reason.

[danielscheil]

Does Gamefly ship to germany ?
Can you give me a link ?
thx (^-^)

[Sudo]

Does Gamefly ship to germany ?
Can you give me a link ?
thx (^-^)

They're a game rental by mail service with the option to buy most games, but I'm pretty sure they're US only. GameFly URL. (www.gamefly.com)

[Ed Oscuro]

A real 'fly by night' sort of operation, you might say...

(couldn't resist)

[segagamer4life]

Another Ninja Gaiden masterpiece. I hope MS gives Itakagi a job... I know I'm gonna be wanting a 3rd installment.

My only complaint, so far, is the camera and less emphasis on exploration, compared to the original. But it's still just as masochistic as the first Gaiden. Even on the Path of the Acolyte mode. You get bombarded by enemies. The finishing moves are a nice touch.

And thank god they left the Japanese dialogue. The English dialogue isn't all that great.



Ditto, great game all around... wow.... well done Team Ninja!!!

[diskoboy]

Everyone playing this:

Is it me, or does it look like alot of the gore was taken out? Because in all the previews I saw, there was ridiculous amounts of blood, during combat, and this game is sorley lacking.

[G-Boobie]

Everyone playing this:

Is it me, or does it look like alot of the gore was taken out? Because in all the previews I saw, there was ridiculous amounts of blood, during combat, and this game is sorley lacking.

I guess so. The obliteration techniques and limb-hackery are still pretty gory, but it's a bit more refined than I was expecting. I'm actually pretty glad.

This game, by the way, is awesome. Not even the worst camera since Tools of Destruction can ruin it for me. Go Team Ninja, for sure.

[The 1 2 P]

Ditto, great game all around... wow.... well done Team Ninja!!!

But how great will Team Ninja be in the future now that Itagaki has left the company?:hmm:

[segagamer4life]

But how great will Team Ninja be in the future now that Itagaki has left the company?:hmm:




true, I hope they can kiss an make up... LOL I know not likely, but one can dream :-)

[diskoboy]

true, I hope they can kiss an make up... LOL I know not likely, but one can dream :-)

It's not Team Ninja he has the problem with. It's just the President of Tecmo.

And I, for one, don't blame him. He was promised something. They should've delivered, as promised.

[G-Boobie]

Is anyone else getting freezing after a death or when you 'examine
something, or am I about to lose 360 number 3?

I'm afraid I already know the answer....

[kaedesdisciple]

Thanks to a RZ coupon and $10 in RZ certs, I was able to pick it up for $44 + tax, w00t!

Since I only finished NG Black a few months ago, the controls for this one fit like an old glove. The combat system is spot-on and as usual, thinking like a ninja instead of a one-man-army gets you through the fights. That's a big part of what I like about these NG games, you need to change the way you think about armed combat in order to survive and of course there are no throw-away enemies. While the camera is a bit on the annoying side, keeping a ready finger on that right trigger like I did for NG Black is helping me keep up just fine. I'll reserve my final review for when I finish it, which might be some time given my killer schedule.

[diskoboy]

Is anyone else getting freezing after a death or when you 'examine
something, or am I about to lose 360 number 3?

I'm afraid I already know the answer....

No freezing problems on my end. But there is a massive amount of slowdown when the Game Over, 'now saving' lotus flower appears, if you get killed.

And for those of you who just bought this - if you think this one is easier than the original... It is, until about stage 4. Then, it starts getting as difficult as the first one.

But I do miss the exploration from the first Gaiden, even though it cuts back on backtracking. This one, even with the branching paths, feels so linear.

[kaedesdisciple]

And for those of you who just bought this - if you think this one is easier than the original... It is, until about stage 4. Then, it starts getting as difficult as the first one.



Does the Acolyte path = the normal difficulty of NG at stage 4 in your opinion, or do we need to do the Warrior path to get back to that level of difficulty? You can see where I'm at so far. I don't want to walk through this game, but I don't want it to completely kill me, either. I'd be happy finishing it once under about the same difficulty as normal in the first NG.

[diskoboy]

Does the Acolyte path = the normal difficulty of NG at stage 4 in your opinion, or do we need to do the Warrior path to get back to that level of difficulty? You can see where I'm at so far. I don't want to walk through this game, but I don't want it to completely kill me, either. I'd be happy finishing it once under about the same difficulty as normal in the first NG.

Acolyte is the easiest mode. I'm assuming this is the 'ninja dog' equivalent.
Then Warrior.
Then Mentor.
Then Head Ninja.

I'm guessing Warrior amounts to Normal. And Acolyte mode is for newcomers - Starts out easy, gets harder as you progress. Because I'm now on Acolyte Chapter 6, and getting my ass handed to me on this big pile of skeleton bones, after you open the skull door. All my weapons and ninpos are level 2.

[diskoboy]

For those who were waiting.... The demo is now up in North America.

[G-Boobie]

I'm on 360 number 4 now. Awesome.:angry:

Either way, has anyone heard about DLC for Ninja Gaiden II in the form of costumes? The info comes from that enemy of substantiated truth Wikipedia, but it piqued my curiosity anyway.

Here's the link to the article. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ninja_Gaiden_II) The DLC quote is under the 'Game Content' header.

Pretty dumb if it's true though. I'd rather have something like the Sigma DLC personally.

[Lothars]

Another Ninja Gaiden masterpiece. I hope MS gives Itakagi a job... I know I'm gonna be wanting a 3rd installment.

My only complaint, so far, is the camera and less emphasis on exploration, compared to the original. But it's still just as masochistic as the first Gaiden. Even on the Path of the Acolyte mode. You get bombarded by enemies. The finishing moves are a nice touch.

And thank god they left the Japanese dialogue. The English dialogue isn't all that great.


Ditto, great game all around... wow.... well done Team Ninja!!!

I disagree so far I've been playng it and I have to say compared to the original, It definitely not even close

not that it's bad but it's really blah especially how bad the camera is, the battle system is good but I am just not sure if I am gonna finish it

I will keep playing maybe I will like it better but so far I really don't like it that much.

[diskoboy]

Itakagi finally did it - Full, female nudity.

[G-Boobie]

I just fought the giant fire armadillo thing... Yeah. I don't get it either.

I have to say: I love this game, but I love the original more. A few of the mid boss fights and even end bosses just seem random and out of place In NG II. And the bosses are pretty easy to beat this time around(I don't necessarily have a problem with that, because I like fighting rooms of enemies better anyway, but my friends list is full of people bitching about it): I killed Volf in like four minutes my first try just by spamming the Flying Swallow Technique.

[kaedesdisciple]

Just figured I'd bump this to see if anyone's still playing it. I'm progressing, albeit slowly with everything else I have going on. I must say, lvl 3 vigoorian flail = HUGE win. I just tore through that staircase of what seemed to be endless amounts of black spiders (GIANT slowdown there but meh) and barely got a scratch on me just by chaining the flail's UT.

[segagamer4life]

I have been working on this one for a while now, and I am on chapter 6, warrior, so far, the bosses are pretty tame, with the exception of the subway "ghost" from level 2. The part kicking my arse more is the Test of valor, (some of them not all), I am in level 6 test, and its a B#$%$..... lol, anyway, I am enjoying the hell out of this game. I like how people reviewed the game and said the story was "forgetable" I guess I don't see it, but anyway, great game, not better than the first, but a great entry to the series.

[diskoboy]

Bringin' this topic back from the dead...

Anybody know why Ninja Gaiden 2 as suddenly become unplayable, after the system update a few days ago?

I'm trying to play the mission modes, and the game constantly locks up. It freezes up in practically every game mode.

Anybody know what's going on? The game is now completely unplayable.

[G-Boobie]

I don't know; I'm not actually having that problem.

I hate to ask, but are you sure it isn't your hardware?

[diskoboy]

I don't know; I'm not actually having that problem.

I hate to ask, but are you sure it isn't your hardware?

I hope to god not.

I haven't had issue one with the game, until the recent system update. Now nothing works.

All my other games are working fine.

[G-Boobie]

Then I don't know, brother. That sucks.

Have you checked the forums for Tecmo or Xbox.com? If it's a widespread problem they'll be talking about it. It could also just be a bad download; when I bought Ikaruga I had to delete it and re-download it; bad packets or something.

[diskoboy]

Then I don't know, brother. That sucks.

Have you checked the forums for Tecmo or Xbox.com? If it's a widespread problem they'll be talking about it. It could also just be a bad download; when I bought Ikaruga I had to delete it and re-download it; bad packets or something.

There does seem to be a problem caused by the Mission Packs. It seems most peoples copies of the game is crapping out around Chapter 10.

http://forums.xbox.com/21706665/ShowPost.aspx

Looks like the only current workaround is to clear the 360's cache, and play NG2 offline.

[heybtbm]

Have you checked the forums for Tecmo or Xbox.com? If it's a widespread problem they'll be talking about it.

Yup, it's broke. Officially...

http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/897/897626p1.html