With Ninja Gaiden 2 Black shadow dropping and the announcement of a long-awaited sequel, it seems that January 23 will be a day to remember for fans of the long dormant franchise. With the Dead or Alive series proving to be a lucrative IP with a similar cast of characters for a long time, it didn’t seem like Koei Tecmo and Team Ninja would ever do anything with the Ninja Gaiden series again. After Dead or Alive 6‘s poor performance, it now seems like the perfect time to bring back the notoriously difficult IP.
Although Dead or Alive might be where people know characters like Ryu Hayabusa and Momji from, Ninja Gaiden is where these characters got their start, and it seems like Team Ninja is going back to its roots. Although Ninja Gaiden 4 will likely be the bigger news story, since there hasn’t been a new game in the series since 2013, the release of Ninja Gaiden 2 Black is more exciting for fans of the IP. It is definitive proof that the series is back, emulating its prime back in the mid-late 2000s.
Ninja Gaiden 2 Black Is Available Now
It’s Been Shadow Dropped On Xbox, PlayStation, And Steam
While fans will have to continue waiting for Ninja Gaiden 4, they can get their hands on Ninja Gaiden 2 Black today. The game looks great with its Unreal Engine 5 facelift and plays practically as well as it did back in 2008. The more serious tone is back too, which is a great sign for those who were tired of the more campy and raunchy nature of Dead or Alive. Better yet, the game is launching at $49.99 rather than the standard AAA price of around $70, which is a somewhat surprising move from Koei Tecmo.
Koei Tecmo is also known for its Musou games, like Warriors Orochi and Dynasty Warriors.
The official trailer on YouTube is almost entirely gameplay. This game seems to be the title for fans of the series to revive interest and drum up hype for Ninja Gaiden 4. The remake is exactly everything it needs to be, and while there may have been some fears that the game would be closer to Sigma 2, Ninja Gaiden 2 Black has the dismemberment and gore of the original. Admittedly, the game has shades of the original and the Sigma 2 port, but seems to try to take the best of both worlds.
Why Ninja Gaiden 2 Remake Is So Exciting
This Might Be The Last Taste Of Prime Ninja Gaiden
While Ninja Gaiden began as a side-scrolling arcade series, it’s 3D hack and slash days are considered its prime and this game might be the last time fans get a title in this style. Ninja Gaiden 4 will be a hack and slash made by Platinum Games (experts in the genre), but the lack of Team Ninja’s involvement could mean that the series could go away from what made the Team Ninja titles so special. Ninja Gaiden 2 Black will have that in spades and players know exactly what they are getting into.
Platinum Games is the developer of the Nier and Bayonetta series, demonstrating its proficiency with hack and slash games.
It is perfect for fans looking for some nostalgia in the series and, while it may not be one of the highest selling IPs around, Ninja Gaiden has plenty of dedicated fans waiting for something. Instead of just an announcement, Ninja Gaiden 2 Black is perfectly poised to occupy fans until Ninja Gaiden 4 and remind the industry why the series was held in such high regard before people started mistaking it for a Dead or Alive spin-off. It comes at a perfect time when players seem to always want an added challenge after the popularity of Soulsborne games.
Ninja Gaiden 4 Doesn’t Release Until Fall 2025
Two Ninja Gaiden Games In A Year Is More Than Fans Could Dream Of
If fans were told at the end of last year that they would get two Ninja Gaiden titles in 2025, they would probably think they were dreaming, but with Ninja Gaiden 2 Black shadow dropping at the start of the year, it provides the perfect excuse to get back into the series. Players probably need that excuse, considering that the series has been dormant for over ten years. While Ninja Gaiden 4 will probably be the better entry point later on, the remake is available right now to announce Ninja Gaiden‘s return.
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There are so many amazing games coming out for Xbox Series X/S in 2025, ranging from massive RPGs like Fable to high-anticipated indie gems.
It seems that 2025 will be Ryu Hayabusa’s year, although he will have to share the protagonist role with a new kid on the block in Ninja Gaiden 4. There will probably be some big changes in the sequel, and while Platinum Games’ impressive track record means that these changes could be for the best, Ninja Gaiden 2 Black will be exactly what longtime fans need to get back into the series. Ninja Gaiden is finally back, and hopefully it will make the same impact it did back in the 2000s.
Source: Ninja Gaiden 2 Black/YouTube
Ninja Gaiden 2 Black
- Released
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January 23, 2025
- Developer(s)
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Koei Tecmo Games Co., Ltd.
- Publisher(s)
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Koei Tecmo Games Co., Ltd.
- ESRB
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M For Mature 17+ // Intense Violence, Blood and Gore, Suggestive Themes, Partial Nudity, Strong Language
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