Ninja Gaiden 2 Blackis a remaster of the Xbox 36o game that originally debuted in 2008 in North America. Players will get a wide assortment of moves, weapons, and Ninpo spells to use on enemies. They can swap between the latter with the press of the D-Pad on the Xbox controller, allowing players not to pause during combat and wrestle with big menus.
To activate a Ninpo spell, players need a Ki charge, indicated by glowing red orbs beneath the health bar inNinja Gaiden 2 Black. Pressing Y and B together on the Xbox controller will use the equipped Ninpo spell. So, of the seven in the game, how do they all rank in terms of power and practicality?
7The Art Of The Piercing Void
Use The Power Of The Dark Side
The Art of the Piercing Void can be found in a chest in Chapter 7 which should be the last Ninpo spell players find. It’s a darkness-based Ninpo spell that will shoot a fully charged orb at enemies. It’s not as wild as theKamehameha Wave in theDragon Ball Zanime, but enemies hit with The Art of the Piercing Void inNinja Gaiden 2 Blackwill certainly feel it. The only downside is that it takes a bit to charge up so it can be hard to pinpoint a target. Players will probably miss enemies, especially the faster bosses, more often than not making it a less attractive Ninpo spell.
6The Magic Of Raging Aphrodite
Surround Rachel With Thorns
The Magic of Raging Aphrodite is a defensive type Ninpo spell that will come equipped to Rachel. She can be played during the entirety of Chapter 8 and also gets one of the better ranged weapons in the game along witha giant hammerthat would make Thor shake.
Using The Magic of Raging Aphrodite will summon a bramble of thorny vines around Rachel. Any demons who try to get in will be harmed. It’s good to use when surrounded by smaller enemies but enemy AI is pretty smart inNinja Gaiden 2 Blackso players may find it difficult to lure anything in.
5The Art Of The Inferno
Target Foes And Light Them Ablaze
The Art of the Inferno is the first Ninpo spell players will learn in the game. It can be found in the first level and just in time too as Ryu will be hounded by more ninjas. For thetutorial stage in a game,Ninja Gaiden 2 Blackhas an aggressive one which may turn players away. Difficulty aside, The Art of the Inferno will target enemies as players scan the area. Once charged, Ryu will unleash a fiery tornado onto his targets and incapacitate them as they feel the hellish fury of fire. If players are lucky, these fiery tornados may kill enemies in a single hit.
4The Art Of The Crimson Lotus
Summon Fire Blasts
The Art of the Crimson Lotus comes equipped with Momiji, the first guest character players can get their hands on. Chapter 5 is her level and her fire-based Ninpo spell is close to The Art of the Inferno. The Art of the Crimson Lotus is slightly different in that it will directly shoot flames at enemies instead of individually targeting them. The full blast of this Ninpo spell is slightly stronger than The Art of the Crimson Lotus but both are great techniques inNinja Gaiden 2 Black. Giving Momiji a fire spell is funny considering she’s a shrine maiden and Sailor Mars, or Rei, is also a fire-wielding shrine maiden in theSailor Moonanime. Maybe the developers were inspired by her when they made Momiji.
3The Art Of The Wind Blades
Make The Very Air Your Weapon
The Art of the Wind Blades is another Ninpo spell for Ryu who can get it in a chest in Chapter 4 which all takes place in anunderground train station. As the name should suggest, this attack will send wind-based blades at enemies. The stronger the Ninpo spell, the more blades players can shoot. Like The Art of the Piercing Void technique, players may find it hard to target enemies. Fortunately, the width of the individual wind blades is larger and can thus hit enemies more easily. Skilled players can even pierce through enemies to hit multiples.
2The Art Of The Raging Mountain God
Erupt A Wave Of Energy Around Ayane
The Art of the Raging Mountain God is Ayane’s sacred Ninpo spell which is fully playable in Chapter 11. ThisDead or Aliveguest staris the fastest character in the game thanks to her weapons. Her Ninpo spell will slow her down as Ayane summons up a large blast to decimate enemies around her.
It has the defensive capabilities of The Magic of Raging Aphrodite but it’s much stronger and it can target a wider area. It’s just a shame Ryu couldn’t use it as well.
1The Art Of The Flame Phoenix
Summon Birds To Ryu’s Aid
There’s nothing like The Art of the Flame Phoenix inNinja Gaiden 2 Blackwhich is why it’s the best. Players can start bysummoning two birdsof fire to surround Ryu. The more players upgrade it, the more birds that will appear. These fiery friends can target enemies and set them ablaze. It gives players a defensive counterattack for foes that dare to get near Ryu. The only downside is that there are fire-based enemies and bosses that these birds are powerless against but overall they should help players out a lot. Like the phoenixes or lore, these birds simply won’t quit even in death.
