Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos

by Tecmo

Product Details

• ASIN: B000EA0HMW
• Item Weight: 8 ounces
• Media: Video Game
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,986 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)

Product Description

Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos picks up where the first game in the series left off. New characters are introduced into the increasingly intriguing plot and old ones make a return. Ryu must now rescue Irene from the evil Ashtar, who turns out to be Jaquio's master -- or is he? Control has been tightened, and Ryu has even more weapons and new moves to help him overcome his adversaries. ~ Aaron Kosydar, All Game Guide

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Truly, perhaps my favorite game for NES, November 7, 2008

By 

Daniel A. Wright (Bayville, NJ) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos (Video Game)

When this game first came out, it was a whopping $44 and up!! But fortunately because I behaved well, my parents got it for me. I started playing it, and instantly fell in love with it. It has an incredible soundtrack and a great feel to it. Ninja Gaiden was good too minus the horrible dreaded stage 6 "challenge of three bosses". This game is one I keep coming back to because it commands respect. They don't make em' like this anymore. I love how the story took a more apoctolyptic dramatic feel.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars There are games, then there's The Dark Sword of Chaos, July 13, 2011

By 

John. N (Big Run, PA USA) - See all my reviews

= Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos (Video Game)

When it comes to video games, I try to be subjective. While I won't shy away from praising a solid title in conversation, I'm usually able to offer up some criticism to go along with the good. Impartial as one thinks they can be, there are some games even I can't help but fawn over. Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos is one of those games.

So what's so special about The Dark Sword of Chaos or Ninja Gaiden in general? As wishy-washy as such an explanation may seem, a lot of Ninja Gaiden's charms have to do with what the games accomplished during their era. The games may have been legendary for their high level of difficulty, but the real reason Ninja Gaiden was able to distinguish itself from the crowd was a novel feature that was dubbed "Tecmo Theater." A form of storytelling that's been incorporated into nearly every game today, "Tecmo Theater" was a primitive take on the quintessential cut scene. As primitive as these "cut scenes" are, they're incredibly powerful in propelling the game's refreshingly adult-oriented narrative forward.

It's this "mature nature" that the Dark Sword of Chaos and the original take to the bank. Characters are stabbed, shot and killed, not just "defeated" like a typical Nintendo game, and the life-and-death struggle that plays out sets a mood that few games (of the time) could match. There is perhaps no greater example of this than the game's opening scene. Point plank, I can't be the only one who gets chills as Asthar scrolls across the screen declaring his allegiance to the forces of evil. It's easily one of the most defining moments I've experienced in a video game and I'm sure I'm not alone.

In regards to gameplay, the most common comparison people make in regards to Ninja Gaiden is old-school Castlevania. The comparison is apt on the most basic level given the game's set-up and look, but is ultimately misleading since Ryu controls a lot differently - and a lot more fluidly - than your typical Belmont. New power-ups like the shadow doubles, coupled with the ability to scale all objects fit seamlessly into the mechanics and can give the player an immense edge when employed correctly. Still, some will be at odds with the knock-back received from enemy attacks. The game pulls no punches when it comes to punishing the player for miscalculations, the result usually being the loss of a life. Cruel as it may seem, the test of a good player is using this hitch to your advantage.

The game's remaining elements go long way in forging an unforgettable adventure as well. Sonically, the game's a tour-de-force that easily matches or surpasses its predecessor, enhancing the action on the screen to an absurd level. One will also find the scrolling/animated backgrounds are a nice upgrade from the static backdrops used in the first game. Simply put, name something and The Dark Sword of Chaos has improved upon it; name something that was fine the first time around and The Dark Sword of Chaos has left it alone.

In the end, games - and sequels - don't get much better than Ninja Gaiden II. Cliché as it sounds, Tecmo created something more than a mere game here; they created an experience. Do yourself a favor and partake of something that transcends an era, something that is greater than its whole.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Just Too Frustrating, April 22, 2006

By 

S. Rhodes - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

= Fun:3.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos (Video Game)

This game is an action packed adventure that's moderately good. The problem is just as I said in my review. It's too undeniably frustrating.

The story, however, is told out in breathtaking cutscenes that for a game of its age are monumental. It's amazing to watch most of these scenes unfold as they're full of drama, good dialogue and more. Even though we're pretty much faced with the same old damsil in distress at the beginning, the game is pretty worthwhile in terms of story. Especially with its deep and moving cutscenes.

The Gameplay is pretty basic. You'll be playing as a Ninja who goes through each level collecting magic scrolls and using different kinds of abilities to topple your enemies. The powers are large in quantity. Some are more powerful than others, of course. You have ninja stars, a fire that makes you invincible for a moment, and even a shadow of yourself that can help you.

However, my statement still stands. This game is frustrating. Even veteran gamers will have a hard time with this one. I suffered countless deaths because when you get hit, you're pushed back. In this game there are enemies rushing at you left and right. It's easy just to get knocked off a cliff because you jumped too far and hit an enemy. So instead of landing you flew back and fell into a pit. There are too many enemies on screen at a time to compensate. What it turns into is truly seeing if you can just survive long enough to make it to the boss of a level. Even if you make it to the boss, you might not survive. There are several cheap moves a boss can do as well. The frustrating level of difficulty doesn't help the game in the gameplay department. A game that should've otherwise been a lot of fun, turns out not to be because of frustrating deaths. The first level is pretty simple, but once you get to the second act, it's all downhill from there.

The saving grace, though. The music is pretty good, especially for the NES. It's deep storyline also warrant the game as being one of the best of for the NES. But like I said, it's level of difficulty makes the game take such a hit that it'll be a wonder if you can experience all this game has to offer. Ninja Gaiden II is a good game, it's just devastatingly difficult. So much that the fun of playing is gone in light of the extreme difficulty. I died countless deaths that in any other action/adventure title, I'd have some way of preventing. Not in Ninja Gaiden.

This is truly a game for expert gamers. Someone you'll make it through, it'll just be a long while. This is definitely a game for gamers who are not frustrated easily.