Pro: Slick graphics; No one, and I mean no one, does third-person combat like Team Ninja; No skimping on the blood/gore; Obliteration techniques = spectacular
Con: Some slowdown when enemies crowd the screen; Camera still feels painfully starched; Wouldn't it be nice if the game made the tiniest bit of sense?
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Overall, Ninja Gaiden II is a much more generous endeavor than its predecessor. Within the first few hours of playing the preview build, I'd unlocked at least three alternative weapons along with several Ninpo techniques (i.e., magic). These weapons (including the terrific Falcon Talons), coupled with the game's everybody's-a-winner Achievement points and the overall more forgiving difficulty level -- I actually looked forward to fights in the sequel in a way that I did not in the '04 original -- makes for a far less stingy gaming experience. That means even casual gamers like your rat-faced grandma should be able to actually enjoy the gameplay.
The game looks terrific, but it's not quite the revolution for your eyes that the Xbox version was in '04. Though the game hasn't yet been optimized, I'd be remiss if I didn't point out the slowdown that vexes Ninja Gaiden II. Any time there are more than 10 or so enemies on the screen, the action slowed to a Super Nintendo Entertainment System-caliber crawl. It doesn't diminish the game or make it unplayable, not by a long stretch, but it does prove that Team Ninja and Itagaki-san still have some work to do.
This preview was based on a build of the game provided by the publisher.
Filed Under: Ninja Gaiden, Ryu Hayabusa, Dragon Sword, Team Ninja, Ninpo, Falcon Talons