I have a confession to make: I gave up on Ninja Gaiden when it was released last year. More specifically, I threw my controller on the ground in frustration... on the second boss. (I think Team Ninja must've mistakenly translated "masochistic" as "normal" when writing up the difficulty menu.)
Thankfully, Ninja Gaiden Black allows even pathetic wannabe ninjas like myself to play through the game this time around. Die enough times on the first couple of levels and you'll be asked if you want to "abandon the way of the ninja." Agree, and "ninja dog" mode will be unlocked. If that wasn't demeaning enough, you're gifted a pretty pink ribbon to wear once you get started. Not exactly fitting attire for a badass ninja master like Ryu Hayabusa.
Of course, even lowly dogs will have a tough time with this game. Nothing beats fighting a horde of baddies who throw exploding shuriken: get hit by one and by the time you're getting up the second one will go off. Repeat until you're nice and toasty.
There's a wealth of content just waiting for the hardest of the hardcore to master. As for the rest of us, well... let's just say the story isn't going to keep anyone motivated to keep playing.
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Article comments
1 - Scott C. Smith
I'm playing "Ninja Gaiden" right now, and am stuck on the second boss...I haven't given up yet, but I'm getting close.
2 - David R Perry
I'd be interested to hear some other people's thoughts on the game. I've thought about getting it for a while now, but have seen enough fighters that were too impossibly hard to beat that that is a concern.
3 - Titus Mills
I have had ninja gaiden since it was first released, i could not get past the numb chuck guy either and yes i almost gave up too. NG is not a point A to point B. it is more of a "just swing at anything that moves and eventually you pass to another stage. I have learned that if you have to use elixirs to get past any of the respawn areas then you are not ready for the boss yet. You have to practice on the guys that keep coming back when you leave the room and re-enter. When you can beat all the guys in a room without having to use an elixir, you are ready to try the boss. Ninja Gaiden is better than any fighting game. When you play one on one fighting games, what do you do? You mash all kinds of buttons, not knowing how you flew or how you disappeared. Not to metion you have to fight one guy after another. NG you get to breath a little in between fights and even run away if you want and come back with a bigger sword. If you get frustrated, just turn it off or play another game for about a week, with NG you have to develope what i call gamers tolerance, GT allows you to play longer each time you quit and come back later. I now have NGB and i am currently on chapter 10 playing the VERY HARD difficulty, its still a lot of fun.
4 - Tater
Heyyyy, Ninja Dog isn't that hard guys. I've finished it there, moved back up to normal. currently on lv 5. Get into the missions that's where it's hard.
5 - Jeremy
I cant beat the the giant statue boss with the dark dragon blade above his head. I cant beat him beacause the boss just before him made me use all my healt postions. By the time I got to the boss with the swsord above his head I was about 2 hits from his laser eye's or somthing like that form being killed. I'm just about to give up. I can only touch him like ocnce or twice before I die. I try to to jump off the rocks to dodge his lasers but by the time I get back on a rock he hits me and kills me. So if anyone can tell me how to beat him with such little help I would be happy.
6 - Bob Smith
I've beaten the game on Master Ninja (honest to God) and i thought that it was actually easier than Very Hard. I beat it in less time, and the developers even showed a bit of mercy by putting some of the items back in their original chests. Also, even though you'd think that the bosses would be tougher, they're not. The first Alma battle is actually just about the same as on Very Hard (I still think she doesn't need helpers, though). To prove that I have beaten the game on Master Ninja, the Dabilahro is located by the Great Gate in the room where the door needs to be broken by the War Hammer. Also, when you get to the last chapter on Master Ninja, just make sure you have maxed out all of your Elixer of Spiritual Life's, I beat him with only two of them (the maximum is five, by the way; two for the Great Spirit Elixers) and used the True Dragon Sword by running up to him and pressing "X" twice. Also, learn his moves as one hit can waste a quarter of your health.