The first 10 minutes: Ninja Gaiden 2

The first 10 minutes: Ninja Gaiden 2

2008-05-26 10:00:00 by BlimBlim

It's with great pleasure that I've received the review code of Ninja Gaiden 2 last Friday and that I've spent some quality time (but not enough) with the game this week-end. You'll find nothing less than 4 720p 60 fps videos of the first level of the game inside, and while waiting for them to download you'll even be able to read my impressions!

Ninja Gaiden 2 can only be described as a direct sequel of the first Ninja Gaiden, implying a lot of good things, but also a few bad ones.

Let's start with what's not so good, and the camera. As you may know the camera here is more or less the same as in Black. Meaning it's better than the one in the first Ninja Gaiden, but still can get in the way quite often. During close quarters fights like in the stairs of the second level, it was sometimes difficult to see anything of the action. The good old right trigger is still here, but I had hoped for more.

Another bad point, the game isn't perfectly smooth. Most of the time it runs at a perfect 60 fps and all is good, but during heavy action scenes I've seen some tearing and even some major slowdowns happens. It's rare thankfully, but still disappointing. Also disappointing, and we've become used to this coming from Team Ninja, the shadowing and lighting is still very basic and doesn't seem to be that much different from the Xbox games.

But still, the gameplay itself is as good if not even better than before. The new life bar system that will replenish itself (but not fully) when a fight ends both adds and remove tension from the game. On one side we don't have to worry as much as before about health bonus, but on the other each fight now becomes a bit more challenging than before, and death can occur very quickly!

Despite its flaws, I've enjoyed my time playing Ninja Gaiden 2 a lot, and I can't wait to get back home tonight for more!

The first 10 minutes: Part 1

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The first 10 minutes: Part 2

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The first 10 minutes: Part 3

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The first 10 minutes: Part 4

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Author Message
Jin187

Jin187
Since 923 Days

2008-05-26 22:55:21

This game looks incrredible, the combos are just insane and link much better than they did in the first. The combat system is true perfection here on earth, I simply cannot wait!

BlimBlim

Tyrannosaurus BlimBlim - Tyrannosaurus
Since 1921 Days

2008-05-26 22:56:41 In reply to LEBATO (2008-05-26 20:03:56)

Posted by LEBATO
Q: Let's say I choose normal, and then I get stuck on $*(&&($( area or boss, I just can't beat it. Can I change the difficulty from normal to easy DURING the game? Or do I have to start the game from the start?
As far as I can tell you'll have to start again.

---
BlimBlim, Tyran.

Wanderfalke

Wanderfalke
Since 367 Days

2008-05-26 23:15:16

I already tried VLC. I usualy use Media Player Classic, which works better than VLC in this case anyway. It looks great but as I mentioned the sound and images are asynchronous. Strangely Windows Media Player manages it to render the vid without problem. But with Windows Media Player there is less contrast and it seems to be brighter :-(

Damn I need a better processor :-/

LEBATO

IS WRONG LEBATO - IS WRONG
Since 1301 Days

2008-05-26 23:26:33 In reply to BlimBlim (2008-05-26 22:56:41)

Posted by BlimBlim
As far as I can tell you'll have to start again.
Hmn, so where did I get this idea, I was almost sure I had read it somewhere. Please check when you get to play the game.

Also, IGN says it can actually be a little easier than the first NG, and then some other sites whine about the difficulty, so it's hard to say.

And one last thing, like others have said, the REAL HD 60FPS videos are very appreciated. They look unbelievable.

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Mods, stop changing my SIG! I'm going to end up banning you!

Ronsauce

Ronsauce
Since 1164 Days

2008-05-26 23:34:39

Man, I wish I could watch the videos. Neither my computer nor my roomate's can run them, even with VLC. And for whatever reason, our d/l speed for Part 1 was around 20-30kbps; it took almost 3 hours!

I wonder if we'll be getting the demo this month as we were told we would.

---
"If we can hit that bull's-eye, the rest of the dominoes will fall like a house of cards...Checkmate." - Zapp Brannigan

Viginti_Tres

Viginti_Tres
Since 681 Days

2008-05-26 23:36:46

Very nice! Keep up the good work. I can't wait for m copy of NG 2.

broman

broman
Since 190 Days

2008-05-26 23:42:40 In reply to Ronsauce (2008-05-26 23:34:39)

Posted by Ronsauce
Man, I wish I could watch the videos. Neither my computer nor my roomate's can run them, even with VLC. And for whatever reason, our d/l speed for Part 1 was around 20-30kbps; it took almost 3 hours!

I wonder if we'll be getting the demo this month as we were told we would.
Don't you guys have a PS3 or 360? I watched the entire thing in HD on the PS3, no problem. Well, there were some compression artifacts but I'm not gonna nitpick since it was 60fps! As for the DL, use BitTorrent. Much better than DDL in general.

Also, here's a question to the player(s). Do all the bosses die so quickly? I don't remember attacks doing so much damage in any of the original's iterations.

McDragon

Since 363 Days

2008-05-26 23:55:09 In reply to LEBATO (2008-05-26 23:26:33)

Posted by LEBATO
And one last thing, like others have said, the REAL HD 60FPS videos are very appreciated. They look unbelievable.
yup, really appreciate this Blim, thank you.

Ronsauce

Ronsauce
Since 1164 Days

2008-05-26 23:55:19

Yeah, we have two 360s, but we can't get videos to stream with the modem/router combo that we're using.

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"If we can hit that bull's-eye, the rest of the dominoes will fall like a house of cards...Checkmate." - Zapp Brannigan

LEBATO

IS WRONG LEBATO - IS WRONG
Since 1301 Days

2008-05-27 00:06:17 In reply to Ronsauce (2008-05-26 23:55:19)

Posted by Ronsauce
Yeah, we have two 360s, but we can't get videos to stream with the modem/router combo that we're using.
Save them to a flash drive or burn them to a CD.

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Mods, stop changing my SIG! I'm going to end up banning you!

Ronsauce

Ronsauce
Since 1164 Days

2008-05-27 00:14:35

I have neither :( lol...weak, I know

---
"If we can hit that bull's-eye, the rest of the dominoes will fall like a house of cards...Checkmate." - Zapp Brannigan

vspectra06

vspectra06
Since 1885 Days

2008-05-27 00:46:13 In reply to BlimBlim (2008-05-26 22:15:53)

Posted by BlimBlim
Sorry guys, the attract is just a camera moving very slowly through this
http://images.gamersyde.com/misc/ng2attract.jpg
What a bummer. Itagaki said this is his most memorable moment, what's he smoking?

KORNdog

KORNdog
Since 583 Days

2008-05-27 00:57:32

the lack of decent lighting kills the games visuals for me, becasue otherwise, even though the textures arnt amazing, the game is very smooth with clean lines and a fast framerate. from the reviews tho it seems that the sequel isnt going to convert anyone to its fanbase. but as a fan service type game. its great. sadly i fall into the former. didnt like it before and it seems the sequel isnt going to change my mind about the series since its essentially more of the same. great if you love the series, not so great if you didnt.

Xion4360

Xion4360
Since 1089 Days

2008-05-27 01:15:20 In reply to vspectra06 (2008-05-27 00:46:13)

Posted by vspectra06
What a bummer. Itagaki said this is his most memorable moment, what's he smoking?
he was refering to the CG trailer that has ryu with his hand over a sword on the graveyard. Story wise, nothing in NG is very memorable, but there is a sense of emotion in that scene, i know i remember it, struck me first time i saw it. im shure it means more to him.

starfox14now

starfox14now
Since 1537 Days

2008-05-27 01:49:36 In reply to KORNdog (2008-05-27 00:57:32)

Posted by KORNdog
the lack of decent lighting kills the games visuals for me, becasuefrom the reviews tho it seems that the sequel isnt going to convert anyone to its fanbase. but as a fan service type game. its great. sadly i fall into the former. didnt like it before and it seems the sequel isnt going to change my mind about the series since its essentially more of the same. great if you love the series, not so great if you didnt.
o'rly. because it's the exact opposite!

yutaro

Since 581 Days

2008-05-27 02:25:56 In reply to broman (2008-05-26 23:42:40)

Posted by broman
Don't you guys have a PS3 or 360? I watched the entire thing in HD on the PS3, no problem. Well, there were some compression artifacts but I'm not gonna nitpick since it was 60fps!
Man why didn't I think about that? Like some others I've also had trouble getting 60FPS movies to play correctly on my computer, so thanks for the tip.

wuffyx

wuffyx
Since 1157 Days

2008-05-27 02:38:43

I'm getting the game. Since when did reviews stop me for getting a game that I know I will like.

JohnRambo

Since 190 Days

2008-05-27 02:41:07

theres plenty of great NG2 reviews out now. People just like to ignore them and focus on the lowest score. Its the way fanboys work.

Ronsauce

Ronsauce
Since 1164 Days

2008-05-27 02:58:38

Nothing negative mentioned has really been a concern for me at all rendering the negative reviews pretty moot.

---
"If we can hit that bull's-eye, the rest of the dominoes will fall like a house of cards...Checkmate." - Zapp Brannigan

Baleur

Baleur
Since 748 Days

2008-05-27 03:00:52

How the F can you guys say it looks like an xbox or ps2 game? It looks friggin amazing..

Ronsauce

Ronsauce
Since 1164 Days

2008-05-27 03:40:26 In reply to Baleur (2008-05-27 03:00:52)

Posted by Baleur
How the F can you guys say it looks like an xbox or ps2 game? It looks friggin amazing..
People are always saying shit like that when their expectations aren't met. It's one of those times where an opinion can actually be wrong.

---
"If we can hit that bull's-eye, the rest of the dominoes will fall like a house of cards...Checkmate." - Zapp Brannigan

NeoNemesis

NeoNemesis
Since 891 Days

2008-05-27 04:25:47 In reply to wuffyx (2008-05-27 02:38:43)

Posted by Suil
In a spanish web page (meristation.com) they reviewed the final build and they stated that there are NO frame rate issues at all. It got a 9/10

Cant wait to play it.... Thx A LOT for the gameplay videos. Looks awesome :D
Awesome thanks, too bad Eurogamer got the shitty review copy.
Posted by vspectra06
Is this the same site that gave NG1 a low score and Itagaki intimidated them when they interviewed them? lol.

As for the graphics, they don't quite have the lighting I would have liked, but it's far from horrible looking and it looks to be a nice improvement over DOA4. Environments, at least imo, look better than in Sigma.
I believe so. LOL Gamesradar is a joke. But, the thing is why give a crappy review copy when the Retail version fixes all of the issues mentioned?! WTF. :| Oh, and apparently Eurogamer gave it a 7/10 because of the 'issues', maybe they'll do a re-review with the retail version, I hope so anyway.
Posted by wuffyx
I'm getting the game. Since when did reviews stop me for getting a game that I know I will like.
The thing is the review copys were shitty! That was stupid on Tecmos part! Apparently the retail copys don't have the framerate issues/tearing etc. So, yea, people should do a re-review because the review copy doesn't reflect the final product.
Posted by Ronsauce
Nothing negative mentioned has really been a concern for me at all rendering the negative reviews pretty moot.
Again, it was the review copys being shitty. The retail copies are far better. I have no idea why they gave out the review copies to begin with. They should've reviewed the final product, such as the retail copy which doesn't have the problems that the review copy has.

---
Wii60!

"We've said that Gears of War was graphically the best game have ever been made, well it looks like Pong compared to Crysis and some of the DX10 titles."

-Gary Whitta (Venting on the NG podcast after Coming back from the Games for Windows)

NeoNemesis

NeoNemesis
Since 891 Days

2008-05-27 04:31:40

http://www.shacknews.com/featuredarticle.x?id=878

With Ninja Gaiden II, what you see is what you get. It's a frantic, skill-based brawler, and retains the responsive mechanics that set the first game apart. It's all about quick action and quicker reaction, a careful balance of parry and thrust and total coincidence. Only the most dedicated players will dominate at the highest difficulty, as it should be.

That being said, this is unquestionably a Ninja Gaiden for the rest of us. Thanks to a relaxed health regeneration system, I happily defeated most of the game's levels and bosses--on the easiest mode of four, mind you--without even coming close to a frustrated toss of my controller. Occasionally I'd get stuck on a boss for a few minutes, sometimes to the point of rampant ninja cursing, but I was rarely red-faced to the point quitting...

And I still don't care. You can criticize the best action movies for their bad camera work and tepid storylines, but those elements ultimately take little away from the experience. The same is true with Ninja Gaiden II. In the end, the pure fun of the carnage far outweighs any fleeting camera issues, level design shortcomings, or boss frustrations.
And for those worried about the framerate and tearing. This is from TXB:


http://forum.teamxbox.com/showthread.php?t=581267&...
As I said...we are holding off for a retail build of the game because the review build discs had some framerate/load time issues that we've been told have been resolved in the retail release. So we wanted to wait to post a review so we can verify this.

I'm surprised other sites posted their reviews already, more so by the ones that even pointed out the load time and framerate issues after we were specifically told about this and that it was something that's supposedly isolated to the review builds only, and NOT the final code.

---
Wii60!

"We've said that Gears of War was graphically the best game have ever been made, well it looks like Pong compared to Crysis and some of the DX10 titles."

-Gary Whitta (Venting on the NG podcast after Coming back from the Games for Windows)

Ronsauce

Ronsauce
Since 1164 Days

2008-05-27 04:53:15 In reply to NeoNemesis (2008-05-27 04:25:47)

Posted by NeoNemesis
Again, it was the review copys being shitty. The retail copies are far better. I have no idea why they gave out the review copies to begin with. They should've reviewed the final product, such as the retail copy which doesn't have the problems that the review copy has.
I'm not even talking about the technical issues because I'm aware that the review copies are a bit buggy.

Things like the camera being iffy, the story being weak, and the difficulty being too hard(gamesradar should have put it on pussy mode if they found it too difficult) are the things that I honestly don't see being a problem for me at all.

---
"If we can hit that bull's-eye, the rest of the dominoes will fall like a house of cards...Checkmate." - Zapp Brannigan

NeoNemesis

NeoNemesis
Since 891 Days

2008-05-27 04:58:37 In reply to Ronsauce (2008-05-27 04:53:15)

Posted by Ronsauce
I'm not even talking about the technical issues because I'm aware that the review copies are a bit buggy.

Things like the camera being iffy, the story being weak, and the difficulty being too hard(gamesradar should have put it on pussy mode if they found it too difficult) are the things that I honestly don't see being a problem for me at all.
Those are irrelevant to me. I'll be slicing and dicing. Don't care for the story, and camera wasn't that bad in NG1, so w/e. OH too hard? BOohoo, at least the game is challenging. And gamesradar is full of shit, they purposely gave NG1 a low score to stir up shit and got owned by Itagaki in a interview. Heck, they gave Heavenly sword a higher score. And when they're criticizing Itagaki istelf and less of the game in their recent NG2 review, somethings up huh? Gamesradar can rot in hell.

Oh another review:

Gamedaily- 9.0

http://www.gamedaily.com/games/ninja-gaiden-ii/xbo...

---
Wii60!

"We've said that Gears of War was graphically the best game have ever been made, well it looks like Pong compared to Crysis and some of the DX10 titles."

-Gary Whitta (Venting on the NG podcast after Coming back from the Games for Windows)

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