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Aftercompleting the first chapterand learning the basics ofNinja Gaiden 2 Black,players will take on theCastle of the Dragon.This second chapter jumps right into the action, placing Ryu at the entrance to his family’s estate, and tasking him with reaching the very top of the eponymous castle. There are several important items players can find inchapter two, including two new weapons. In this guide, we’ll show youhow to complete Chapter 2: Castle of the Dragon inNinja Gaiden 2 Black.
Castle of the Dragon Chapter 2 Walkthrough – Ninja Gaiden 2 Black
Hayabusa Village – Path to Save Point 1:
You’ll start chapter two at the entrance to Hayabusa Village. Make your way through the red Torii gates and stop at the end to examine the first item you encounter:Notebook: Flying Swallow.
Continue into the small graveyard area, and you’ll encounter the first enemies of chapter two. Here, you’ll face three basic dual-sword ninjas. Once they are dealt with, you can examine some of the graves for some interesting Hayabusa family lore. Continue along the main path until you reach the next clearing. In this courtyard you face severalblade-wielding dogs. These enemies are a real pain. Use block and counter to get the upper hand. They are incredibly good at dodging, so button-mashing will just lead to frustration (a sentiment that only becomes more accurate at higher difficulties).
After defeating the dogs, you’ll want to make sure to head down the bridge path first. There is a chest at the end of the bridge that contains the area’s firstLife of the Gods. Collecting nine will permanently increase your max health. Before you get the chest, you’ll have to defeat a mix of basic and claw ninjas. If you need any healing or Ki items, there is aShopnear the entrance to the bridge.
Now, head in the opposite direction from the bridge entrance, and make your way around the outside of the buildings. Just before you turn the corner, you’ll find theReverse Wind Technique scrollon a dead body. As you come around to the other side of the building, you’ll be ambushed by five basic ninjas. After you defeat them, continue towards the large flags withbullseye-like symbols.
When you reach the stairs that lead down to the water’s edge, you’ll find aHerb of Spiritual Lifeon a dead body. You can jump straight into the water, and you’ll get a prompt telling you to press the A (or X on PlayStation) button to run on the water. However, you’ll want to dive below the water, as there is aCrystal Skullbelow the left side of the bridge. When you come up, watch for thearchershooting at you from the small ledge at the other end of the water.
Take out the archer, then continue past them up the main path. Near the top of the slope, you’ll be attacked by anotherarcherandtwo dogs. After defeating them, move into the courtyard, and you’ll findThe Counter Attack Technique scrollon a dead body. In the corner of this courtyard, you’ll encounter the firstDragon Save Point.
Path to Dragon Save Point 2:
From the first save point, head up the small stairs and around the left side of the large building. You’ll encounter several enemies in the small corridor between buildings. Watch for the archer at the end of the corridor, as he’ll continue to shoot while you deal with the aggressive ninjas. If you stay on the walkway and turn left, you can interact with the door between two dragon statues. This is theRelic Roomdoor.
When you attempt to open theRelic Roomon your first playthrough of Chapter 2, you’ll get the following message: “the door to the Relic Room is held firmly shut.“You cannot open the door yet, as you need to collect the key in Chapter 10, then return to this area in replay.
While you cannot yet open the Relic Room, you may enter the opposite building. Head back and go through the rear entrance, and you’ll find achestcontaining aHerb of Spiritual Life,as well as theFalcon’s Talonsat a small shrine in the far wall. After picking up the claws, you’ll be attacked as you make your way to the exit.
Now, make your way to the outer courtyard, and you’ll be attacked by two basic ninjas, and afloating, flame-wielding ninja. The flame ninjas are particularly pesky, as they can conjure flames beneath Ryu’s feet at any given moment. They will also launch fireballs at Ryu while he is fighting other enemies. It is in your best interest to take them out early.
Once these enemies are dealt with, you’ll see the gate that blocks the exit to the courtyard open. Make your way up the rock steps. At the third flight of stairs, you’ll encounter several descending ninjas. At the top of the stairs, there are two towers. There is an archer at the top of one, and achestcontainingHerb of Spiritual Lifeat the top of the other.
The next flight of stairs will essentially be a replay of the previous one. Ninjas will attack as you get closer to the top, and there are two more guard towers. This time, there are archers in both towers. Once you get past the towers, you’ll encounter thesecond Dragon Save Point. Make sure tosave and healbefore moving on.
Path to Dragon Save Point 3:
From the second Dragon Save Point, make your way through the narrow corridor until you reach the dead end. Here, you’ll need towall jumpback and forth until you reach the top. As soon as you exit, you’ll encounter two basic ninjas. The only path forward is up the stairs, where you’ll encounter an archer. Before you continue onto the wooden structure, pick up theNotebook: Counter Attackitem off the dead body.
You’ll encounter more archers and basic ninjas as you make your way along the large wooden deck-like structure. At the end of the structure, make your way along the main path until you see thecheston the left side of the gate to the next area. Inside the chest you’ll findblue healing orbs.
Now, you’ll begin to make your way up the base of the castle. At the top of the first stone steps, Watch out for the archers shooting through the murder holes. Move by as quickly as you can, then make your way up towards the narrow stone steps. Just before you reach the steps, ensure to pick up theGuillotine. Throw scrollfrom the dead body, then turn left, and you’ll see achestat the end of a small alcove. The chest contains aDevil’s Way Mushroom, which replenishes Ki.
Now you may make your way up the narrow steps to the courtyard at the base of the castle. Here, you’ll face a large group of different enemy types. There will be dogs, basic ninjas, and flame ninjas. Once you defeat them, grab theNotebook: Ultimate Techniqueitem from the dead body near the locked door. To continue, make your way up the rubble at the wall. This will allow you to reach the roof.
On the roof, you’ll immediately encounter two claw-wielding ninjas and a flame ninja. Once they are defeated, jump down into the flaming hole in the roof to enter the castle. You’ll end up right at the murder holes where the archers were shooting from. Take them out, then head to the far end of the corridor to find the thirdDragon Save Point.
Chapter 2 Walkthrough Part 2 – Ninja Gaiden 2 Black
How to Get the Fiend’s Bane Bow:
ssdFrom the third Dragon Save Point, head to the opposite end of the corridor. Before you turn and exit, look for a golden dragon-headed statue mounted on the wall. Approach the head and you’ll notice it is holding a bow. Get close enough, and you’ll be able to take the bow from the dragon. This is theFiend’s Bane Bow, which is thefirstranged weaponinNinja Gaiden 2 Black.
Inside the Castle of the Dragon – Path to Gyuki:
From the third save point, you must collect the bow before the gate blocking the main path will open. As soon as you go through, you’ll drop into a large arena area. There will be several archers shooting from openings around the arena walls. If you hold down RT (or R2), the reticle will automatically snap to a target. After you defeat the archers, the mid-level bossGyukiwill descend from the ceiling.
How to Beat Gyuki:
Gyuki is essentially the same as the Spider Clan boss from Chapter 1. Focus on dodging attacks, and then attack from behind. Your attacks will briefly stun Gyuki, so ensure to punish it when you connect. Certain attacks, like the Flying Swallow technique, don’t seem to work with Gyuki. Air-based attacks seem to be less effective in general, so attempt to keep to the ground.
You cancounterGyuki, which seems to be one of the more effective ways to fight. Don’t worry about saving your Ninpo, as you’ll be able to refill your Ki immediately after the fight.
When you exit the arena after the fight, turn right to find achestwithKi-restoring red orbs. Then turn back and head the opposite way down the corridor. When you reach the stairs, head past them on the right, and you’ll findGrains of Spiritual Lifeon a dead body. Head up the stairs, and you’ll end up at a screen door. As you approach, enemies will burst through and attack.
Once they are dealt with, head to the dead end, then turn right and attack the screens. You’ll seeDragon Save Point 4on the left, and more stairs on the right. There will beone ninjabehind the screen.
Path to Save Points 5 & 6:
The next save point is surprisingly close. From the fourth save point, head up the stairs and attack the screen on the right at the very top of the stairs. You’ll enter a balcony overlooking the earlier boss arena. There is a massive dragon statue in the center of the chamber, and there are platforms to the left and right where more archers will appear. Take them out, and another platform will be lowered in the center. Head across, and the mouth of the large dragon statue will open, allowing you to enter.
If you happen to need health, shoot the large glowing orb near the dragon’s head with arrows. Several blue orbs will emerge, healing Ryu.
After crossing through the dragon’s mouth, you’ll findDragon Save Point 5at the end of the corridor.
From the fifth and final save point, head out to the roof through the hole in the wall. On the roof, you’ll be attacked by both basic and flame ninjas. Take them out, then turn and head to the side of the structure, where you’ll be able to use the roof to reach the next level. Once you reach the upper level, head back into the castle through the hole in the wall.
As soon as you enter, you’ll be attacked by archers. Use the bow to quickly take out each enemy. Remember to press RT/R2 to quickly snap to each target. With the archers gone, turn right and look for a small hole in the floor of the wooden walkway. You’ll see that there is an opening with a ladder that will take you to a lower level. On the lower level, you’ll find ashopat one end of the corridor, and thesixth and final Dragon Save Pointat the other end of the corridor.
If you don’t have any healing items, now is the time to get them.Grains of Spiritual Lifeare especially helpful, as Genshin – the final boss of Chapter 2 – will cause the red health bar buildup very quickly, especially at higher difficulties. The grains will fully replenish your health, including the red section.
Path to Genshin:
Starting the final stretch of chapter two, head back up the ladder to the upper platform. Turn right, and you’ll find a chestcontainingLives of the Thousand Gods,whichincreases max health. Continue up the stairs and then turn around and head past the stairs to find a dead body containing aLife of the Godsorb. Head back in the opposite direction and a cutscene will automatically begin when you reach the end of the path.
How to Beat Genshin in Ninja Gaiden 2 Black:
The buildup to fighting Genshin makes the fight seem like it’s going to be much harder than it actually is. Like Gyuki, your best bet here is to stay grounded and use dodge and counter to chip away at his health. The heavy-attack counter is especially powerful, as it allows for a follow-up attack before Genshin recovers.
Genshin has a very powerful projectile attack that you want to watch for. When you see the air around his fists begin to form into an orb of energy, prepare to dodge. You’ll have a split second to attack here where you’ll catch Genshin off guard. Remember as well, that blocking is Ryu’s best friend.
The big difference here is that Genshin does much more damage with each hit. Pay close attention to your health bar, as it will deplete incredibly quickly. This is when you want to use your health items.Ninja Gaiden 2 Blackhas an incredibly player-friendly healing mechanic in which time essentially stops when you are in the item menu, so don’t be scared to use your items.
If you die, there is no need to use your Talisman. Simply restart from the previous checkpoint, as it is extremely close to the end.
