Team Ninja has rolled out a significant update for Ninja Gaiden 2 Black, elevating it to version 1.0.7.0. This update, which fulfills earlier promises to address fan feedback, introduces several exciting features and improvements. The patch is now available across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S, and PC platforms via Steam and the Microsoft Store.
One of the headline additions is New Game Plus, allowing players to embark on a fresh run on any difficulty they've previously completed, retaining their arsenal of weapons and Ninpo. However, these items will reset to Level 1, and players cannot directly access a higher difficulty through New Game Plus.
Another quality-of-life enhancement is the option to hide the projectile weapon carried on the player's back. This can be toggled in the Game Settings under the Options menu, offering a cleaner visual experience for those who prefer it.
In terms of balance adjustments, Team Ninja has made significant changes to enemy encounters. The Hit Points of enemies in Chapter 8 ("City of the Fallen Goddess") and Chapter 11 ("Night in the City of Water") have been reduced. Conversely, the number of enemies in Chapter 13 ("The Temple of Sacrifice") and Chapter 14 ("A Tempered Gravestone") has been increased. Additionally, the damage output of some of Ayane's attacks has been boosted.
The update also addresses several bugs, including control issues at high frame rates and under heavy computing loads, controller vibration inconsistencies, out-of-bounds glitches in specific chapters, progression-blocking bugs, and crashes during extended play sessions. A comprehensive list of patch notes is provided below.
Ninja Gaiden 2 Black, which was unexpectedly unveiled at the January Xbox Developer Direct, is an enhanced edition of the iconic action game, rebuilt with Unreal Engine 5. This upgrade not only improves graphic fidelity but also introduces new playable characters and enhances battle support functions. In IGN's review, Ninja Gaiden 2 Black received an 8/10, praised as a stunning improvement over its Sigma 2 counterpart and hailed as an exceptional action game despite some minor criticisms regarding enemy health and numbers.
Ninja Gaiden 2 Black Ver 1.0.7.0 Patch Notes
Additional Content:
- New Game+: Players can now start a new game on any previously cleared difficulty with weapons and Ninpo obtained from the previous playthrough, though they will revert to Level 1.
- Photo Mode: Added to the in-game Options Menu, allowing players to adjust the camera within set limits for taking screenshots.
- Ability to Hide Projectile Weapon: A "Show Projectile Weapon" option has been added to the Game Settings in the Options Menu, enabling players to hide their projectile weapon when carried on their back.
Adjustments:
- Lowered the HP of enemies in Chapter 8, "City of the Fallen Goddess."
- Lowered the HP of enemies in Chapter 11, "Night in the City of Water."
- Raised the number of enemies in Chapter 13, "The Temple of Sacrifice."
- Raised the number of enemies in Chapter 14, "A Tempered Gravestone."
- Increased the damage dealt by some of Ayane's attacks.
Bug Fixes:
- Fixed control issues that occurred when playing at over 120 FPS or under high computing load.
- Addressed an issue where controllers would not vibrate based on computing load or FPS settings.
- Resolved bugs causing players to go out of bounds during certain chapters.
- Fixed bugs that made progression impossible during specific chapters.
- Corrected a bug causing the game to crash during long play sessions.
- Implemented other minor bug fixes.
