Summary
- Ninja Gaiden 2 Black was shadow-dropped during the Xbox Developer Direct showcase.
- Players are concerned with the game's 86 GB file size.
- The original version of the game was only around 7 GB.
Some gamers are taking issue with the increased file size of Ninja Gaiden 2 Black, a new remaster of the 2008 game. Xbox recently held its impressive Developer Direct showcase where it dove deep into several big games it has coming this year, like Doom: The Dark Ages, South of Midnight, and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Its secret fourth game turned out to be the reveal of Ninja Gaiden 4, which is being made in collaboration with the original handler of the franchise, Team Ninja, as well as with PlatinumGames. A Ninja Gaiden 2 Black remaster was also revealed alongside of it and was subsequently shadow-dropped, leading to even more Ninja Gaiden buzz.
Since last year's Xbox Developer Direct didn't have a shadow-drop, it's nice to see one happen again after Hi-Fi Rush's famous stealth launch two years ago. Ninja Gaiden 2 Black is the fourth iteration of Ninja Gaiden 2 to be released. The original came out in 2008 as an exclusive for Xbox 360, coming to other platforms in 2009 as Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2. A PlayStation Vita port, named Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 Plus, was released in 2013, and Sigma 2 was also included in 2021's Ninja Gaiden Master Collection. Now, fans have an even better-looking version of the action classic on modern consoles in Ninja Gaiden 2 Black.
Ninja Gaiden 2 Black Shadow Dropped for Xbox Game Pass
In a shock announcement during the Xbox Developer Direct, Ninja Gaiden 2 Black is shadow dropped for Xbox Game Pass.
It seems Ninja Gaiden 2 Black' s file size is causing some stress from players after the game's recent shadow release. Many are upset over the game's huge 86 GB size, which is several times larger than the original 2008 game that weighed in at a light 7 GB. Ninja Gaiden Master Collection, which includes the Sigma versions of all three original titles, is only 14 GB. Ninja Gaiden 2 Black is only 10 GB lighter than Team Ninja's 2024 PS5 exclusive Rise of the Ronin, and around the same size as 2020's Nioh 2.
Ninja Gaiden 2 Black's File Size is Over 80 GB
In all likelihood, Ninja Gaiden 2 Black's bloated file size is due to its graphical improvements, as it's currently the most up-to-date-looking version of the game yet. Still, 80+ GB for a remaster is perhaps too large, especially considering it's not an open world game. Whether poor optimization or just the demanding shift to Unreal Engine 5, gamers will need to make sure to clear up space if they want to dive into the remastered action classic; perhaps a future patch may shrink the size. With Ninja Gaiden 2 Black's large file size, it's easy to imagine Ninja Gaiden 4's file size being even larger as an all-new entry in the series.
Branded "Year of the Ninja" by Koei Tecmo, 2025 is slated to be a massive year for Ninja Gaiden with three big games. One of them, Ninja Gaiden 2 Black, is already available, and fans can also look forward to Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound, a 2D action sidescroller made by the Blaspehemous devs, The Game Kitchen, due out sometime this year. Of course, the biggest of the three, Ninja Gaiden 4, is currently aiming for the Fall and would round out an unprecedented year for fans of the franchise.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 81 /100 Critics Rec: 93%
- Released
- January 23, 2025
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ // Intense Violence, Blood and Gore, Suggestive Themes, Partial Nudity, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- Koei Tecmo Games Co., Ltd.
- Publisher(s)
- Koei Tecmo Games Co., Ltd.
WHERE TO PLAY
Take on the role of Ryu Hayabusa, a ninja who has inherited the legendary “Dragon Sword” and takes on battles across the world, in this graphic remaster of the popular high-speed ninja action title that returns after 15 years!
1. The world of “NINJA GAIDEN 2” remastered with rich visuals!
The stages, characters, effects, and lighting have been completely redesigned and remastered to provide realistic visuals. Unreal Engine 5 has been utilized to create stunning current-generation graphics, allowing players to immerse themselves more deeply in the story's world.
2. High-speed x violent action further evolved with the latest graphic expressions!
Gore elements such as dismemberment and blood have been remastered to enhance the action experience. Players can enjoy high-speed, violent action using a wide variety of weapons and techniques, including Japanese swords, shurikens, Kusari-gamas, and tonfas.
Note: The dismemberment feature can be toggled on and off in the Options menu.
3. Additional characters, mode for beginners, and elements from subsequent spin-off titles are also included!
This remaster includes additional elements from spin-off titles released after the original. Players can control three additional characters: Momiji, Ayane, and Rachel. The game also includes "HERO PLAY STYLE" mode that provides automatic support in challenging situations, making it accessible for those who may not be confident in their action skills.
- Number of Players
- 1
- PC Release Date
- January 23, 2025
- Xbox Series X|S Release Date
- January 23, 2025
- PS5 Release Date
- January 23, 2025
- Platform(s)
- Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, PC
- X|S Optimized
- Yes
- File Size Xbox Series
- 85.99 GB
