Ninja Gaiden Black

"Black is the new epitome of awesome"

Promising to be more spectacular than ever, Ninja Gaiden Black (NGB) has a lot to live up for with all the hype surrounding it since the original game took the console world by storm last year. Fortunately, it does that - and more. Everything you loved about Ninja Gaiden is back. With additional missons, content and cinematic sequences, it's a must-get for every die-hard fan. Those who have never played the game, however, will stand to be in for a lot of surprises, as I found out just a couple of minutes into the game.

You play a descendant of the Dragon Lineage, Ryu Hayabusa, bestowed with the Dragon Sword and superb agility and skill. Filled with hatred for the mysterious black samurai who burnt the entire Hayabusa village, Duku, you head out in search of the culprit with a vengeance. Your thirst for revenge soon opens the path to uncovering a more sinister and complex scheme, enhancing the game with an undeniable depth. The plot of NGB kept me so engrossed that I was impressed beyond words. For an action-fighting game to have such a deep storyline was simply too much to ask for. As such, the game displays a rare, brilliant story-telling for its genre.

The game is made even more engaging with its excellent game play. There is a huge array of weapons to wield, all with an immense number of techniques to use. Weapons are also upgradable, allowing you to use more powerful techniques.The sheer number of moves you are able to execute makes it all the more enjoyable. Can't reach the opening at the top? Simply leap off the adjacent walls, ninja-style. The movements and fighting sequences are so realistic that they make the game more vivid. Littered around the stages are also usable items that aid you in battles, and some key items that are needed to unlock the next part of the game. The presence of additional difficulty levels gives more replay value to an otherwise already-great game. What provided a pleasant surprise was the little puzzle element in the game. Unlike most linear action games, NGB requires you to put 2 and 2 together and figure out some of the patterns seen throughout the game, for example how the doors are locked. An aspect of the game that I thoroughly enjoyed was the A.I of the enemies. They are quick to react and won't hesitate to use some of their own techniques on you. Waiting in ambush at a corner, they can wrestle you into an arm-lock and fling you over the railing at a particular stage. Also, when you are unreachable but within range, they can throw shurikens instead of standing idly around. Realism at its best, I dare say.

There is a wide variety of stages with different environments for you to play in, breaking the monotony of suspiciously-similar stages seen in most action games. These are coupled with their own special physical aspect. For example, in forest areas, you get to interact with pools of water and rapids. On board an airliner, you get to climb across a wire from one area to another. Every stage, or chapter, is a refreshing change, adding an element of surprise every time you just feel sick of a particular one.

To say that the graphics of NGB are top-notch would be an understatement. It's impressive how the developers take note of every single detail, no matter how minute. On my way climbing across the wire in one of the stages, I caught glimpses of a clear city landscape below. In earlier stages, you also get to see leaves rustling and some even flying across the screen. Great attention has been spent on the environment itself, seen by how intricately designed some of the buildings are. Although the common enemies look rather similar, you'd still marvel at how well-drawn they all are, although it might be the 1000th time you've seen them. Ryu himself is no exception. NGB contains additional costumes, all equally beautifully-drawn.

The only part where NGB seems to fail is the sound. I honestly cannot say I enjoyed the background music and sound effects, although it'd have made a perfect complement with the splendid graphics had it been a tad better. The sound effects of hacking and slashing, enemies moaning and and blood spurting gets a bit dull after awhile. Not to mention that they are all generic action game effects. The voice-over work is pretty good, but at times inappropriate to the situation. A particular scene where Ryu is supposed to sound anxious or aggrieved almost sounds monotonous. However, over all, the voice-acting is pretty commendable across all characters.

NGB is one of the best action games to date, combining everything a gamer could ask for. Although it falters on some parts, it's a highly recommended game to buy, providing infinite enjoyment. With so much content added to the excellent original, I can safely say that Black is the new epitome of awesome. So what are you waiting for?

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 10/25/05