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Paid the cost to beat THE Boss
Black's greatest challenges (similar to the original), rest with its numerous boss battles. Nearly every chapter ends with one of these awesome confrontations, along with a few mini bosses sprinkled along the way. These fights require a precise and meticulous study of the enemies' attack patterns and the environment around you. Make no mistake, you will die (many, many times), but after a few lives you'll see the pattern and continue to the next epic showdown.
Another important aspect of Black is inventory management. You'll find items in chests and, when in dire need, buy them from an aged merchant that appears throughout the game. The currency used is Kharma, and you'll gain kharma (along with health and magic (Ki) power ups) as you slaughter enemies. The amount dropped is dependant on your combo score, the bigger the score—the more power ups.
Players of the original game will notice new weapons, costumes, the original arcade version of Ninja Gaiden, a movie gallery, different difficulty settings, and even item and enemy placements are different in Black. There's also an "Arena of Death" style feature that is unlocked after completing the game. This consists of fifty missions where you'll face off against new and old enemies alike. The mission parameters range from just wiping out the fiends, to other, more imaginative goals, such as a stellar show down with some Ryu clones. This feature adds a huge amount of replay to an already great game, though some are so difficult you may never finish them.
With Ninja Gaiden's difficulty issue finally resolved, only a few minor faults mar this otherwise perfect game. Black's plot isn't exactly original, but the tale of revenge and betrayal is intriguing enough to draw you in. Look forward to some excellent FMVs, normally between chapters, that help to move the story along in grand fashion. After beating the game, a gallery will be unlocked that lets you relive the scenes at your leisure. The puzzle element of Black follows the same path as the Resident Evil series. You'll pick up objects, place the items in various receptacles, and proceed through the now open door.
Still the master of his domain
If you’re a fan of action games, or enjoy a good challenge, and have yet to play Ninja Gaiden, do yourself a favor, and get it now. The replay value alone borders on infinite, and if you can exercise a little patience, you're in for an unforgettable time. Ninja Gaiden Black isn't just a game we play, it’s the REASON we play.
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