Ninja Gaiden 2

[J2d]

I think I'm the only one that got NG2: Shit edition, the one that feels inferior to the original in every single way.

[FuryFox]

The camera really is bad, and I was pretty accepting of it in NG and NGB. Also, I miss the exploration and figuring out how to advance the level from the original. It was a little confusing at first, but once you understood it, the game flowed really logically. I'd even say the levels were a bit clever in the way they intertwined, and the locations made sense, at least as much as they can with the silly story, but at least they had purpose.

In NG2, it's extremely linear and stuff is just being handed to you all at once. Killing bosses doesn't reward you with anything (not even a key or puzzle piece). Weapons and upgrades come at you fast and seem less meaningful so far. I pretty much get to upgrade a weapon every time I've hit the shops and already have a ton of moves for the first 3 weapons. Granted, I like having all that at my disposal right away (up to Chapter 4), but it doesn't feel like I did anything to gain it, or really developed any expertise with the initial movesets before moving everything to level 2.

However, combat is ridiculously awesome, so the game is still awesome. Quick weapon and item menus are a plus, and thankfully they made his rope maneuvers more ninja. I have a feeling with the level of gore there won't be any hot female enemies though (except bosses), unless they're steel angel lords or something that don't bleed and scream when maimed. But we'll see how hardcore it gets.

[Pineapple]

I don't have a problem with the camera just because I seem to jump around a lot and while I take some cheap hits it's not that bad in the grand scheme of things. The combat is freaking great, the two weapons I have by the end of the first chapter seem damn cool with different finishers and moves, and while it is linear, I don't mind much because the whole of the game is so brutal and cool. Very glad I got this one, I can't wait to see some of the later levels/weapons/magic attacks.

And Chux what the fuck secret achievements did you already get?!?!?!?!

[Gooch]

The camera really is bad, and I was pretty accepting of it in NG and NGB.

It's second nature for me to right trigger or left trigger + left analog button to zip around should I get caught in a bad spot. I'll also frequently use the jump + slash to zip me around. Even without trying to get a better view, I'm always zipping around, rarely ever stationary or even just running on feet. I'm not saying the camera isn't bad, I'm saying my constant movement (think Bourne Supremacy flash pans, even resembling PS2 Shinobi style) may make it less noticeable for me.

Also, I miss the exploration and figuring out how to advance the level from the original. It was a little confusing at first, but once you understood it, the game flowed really logically. I'd even say the levels were a bit clever in the way they intertwined, and the locations made sense, at least as much as they can with the silly story, but at least they had purpose.

I don't miss this part in any game, especially one that should be primarily fast paced action.

In NG2, it's extremely linear and stuff is just being handed to you all at once.

I don't mind this, seems more old school design and what I'd prefer from a fast paced action game. I want to attack, move on, attack, move on, like the constant flow of water.

However, combat is ridiculously awesome, so the game is still awesome. Quick weapon and item menus are a plus, and thankfully they made his rope maneuvers more ninja. I have a feeling with the level of gore there won't be any hot female enemies though (except bosses), unless they're steel angel lords or something that don't bleed and scream when maimed. But we'll see how hardcore it gets.

It sounds like NG2 has the DMC4 effect on you as you're essentially saying the game is worse off but the combat itself is better. I don't agree with you but can understand your reaction. For me, the things you seem not to like are the things that make me like NG2 better than Sigma/Black for now. Who knows how I'll feel further in.

[Pineapple]

everything I just said

This.

[FuryFox]

I'm not saying I'm having a problem with the camera either, gameplay-wise, but it's still poorly implemented. It does make the game visually jarring and unpleasant at times, which I would consider a big problem in Team Ninja's eyes. I'm not thrilled with the zoom-in whenever you do a charge-up combo, either...I think you lose some the impact because things are moving too fast at that range and with some weapons (like the staff), you can't even accurately read the full extent of the combo's effect (which enemies you've hit or knocked into which positions).

I haven't seen it all yet, so I'm not drawing any conclusions like NG2 = DMC4 yet. But I think we can agree that if NG2 was just the Bloody Palace from DMC4, it wouldn't be very satisfying...but isn't that exactly what you're distilling an ideal experience down to? Just cool enemies and cool combat strategies? No exploration or reward for completing things except the next batch of enemies? Clearly there's a line where different people will consider a title lacking, or at least, misguided.

[Do You Like Erotic?]

Kusari-Gama.

[EvilMog]

I was just going to post my feelings but Gooch pretty much summed up the way I feel about NG2. Good job. Thumbs Up to you Sir.

[Pineapple]

I understand what Fury is saying but I still have to say, having played both this and DMC4, that while I let my freind borrow that game after playing it a couple hours and not caring, I won't be letting this one go any time soon. If you're jumping around and dodging a lot like you need to to stay alive, the camera does not seem to become an issue at all. There may have been 2 times in the first 4 levels where I had to reset it behind myself, and thats because I was off on one of the tangents looking for treasure (yes, it's a linear path, but you can still miss stuff if you're just blazing through). So I disagree about the "no" exploration stuff, there just isn't a lot of it. Then again, I didn't find that much in DMC4, either. This game is clearly superior when placed side by side.

[FuryFox]

Well, yeah. I've had more fun in 3 levels of NG2 than the whole of DMC4. I'm really only comparing the structure of NG2 to NGB. I'll say that the bosses have been underwhelming so far, but hopefully they'll make up for it in variety and not re-use them 20 times like DMC.

I just got the Kusari-gama, and killing demons has been more fun than waves of black ninja, but what I'm really waiting for are the tonfas...just a big fan of that weapon style for some reason.