Official FSD NINJA Gaiden II Black Photography, Lore Compendium & Review

NINJA Gaiden II Black Photography & Lore

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Team NINJA surprised us all at the beginning of the year with one of the best-looking games they've ever released NINJA Gaiden II Black. Even though NG is primarily known for its insane, speed induced gameplay, I think most would argue that this version of the game is all about the visual flair and creating past battles in glorious 4K with help from Unreal Engine 5. The combat continues to impress me after all of these years, and we have so many different takes on NG2 to choose from whether or not you like the OG 360 version on Series X, NINJA Gaiden Sigma 2 (which can even be played on the old PSP Vita) or this newly released beauty. Take your pick; Team NINJA has you covered.

This blood-soaked adventure continues to impress me with stunning obliteration techniques that will lop off the heads of your enemies, ending the lives of the Fiends and Black Spider NINJA Clan in a more respectful fashion. Team NINJA has also been extremely adamant about making this their definitive version of the game. They've updated the game already making Ayane a stronger character, giving us our upgraded weapons with New Game Plus and ADDING enemies to levels so that it's more comparable to the OG version in that regard.

There is also a new 'Photo Mode' that was not available at launch but is now a complete feature that will allow players to fine-tune their combat photography!

Sure, Team NINJA took out of the annoying Statue of Liberty fight, and the ridiculous Buddha, but I can't see that as a negative. They are still available in the Master NINJA Collection and within Sigma 2, and they never had any Mph factor to them and fought similarly.

Also, the game still sounds amazing and fits the general sound design of the first game while adding to it in a significant way. The sound design is riveting with excellent voice acting, dialogue and of course the sounds of violence. Decapitations of heads and limbs will fill your ears as the gruesome over the top beauty tantalizes your eyes. There are also DLC outfits including Rachel's fiend costume that is completely uncensored. Team NINJA is back to giving us what we want.

Typically, we would rate the game visuals with words, but I think our collection of screenshots will do that for us. Feast your eyes on our official photo album for NGIIB and don't forget to read the Trivia and Lore captions to double up this Album as a Compendium so you know what you're looking at!

Oh, and please don't add Tweets to the thread or share other people's photos. Upload your own at the highest quality possible. Not only will they be easier to save and share, but I don't want people to be taken to an external site to enjoy the thread. All inhouse please.

Ryu Hayabusa Chatting with the Old Muramasa​

Genshin Fighting Joe with Ryu Watching​

Team NINJA updated Ryu's Classic Fiend Outfit! Unlock it by completing 10 Tag Missions on Acolyte!​

Rachel's curves are intensified in the updated NGIIB!​

Momiji is arguably one of the best-looking character models in NGII Black.​

 

Super NINJA Ryu Hayabusa

Ryu Hayabusa is a man that is prepared for all of the different elements. Like a Song of Ice & Fire!
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The snow texture is a bit strange, but for some reason I still like it. The flakes look like they are melting at the heat of Hayabusa's blood.​

Does anyone actually like the flaming armadillo? Where does it originate from? I am not sure anyone can answer that, but it's a fiend.

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Certainly, the best-looking NINJA Gaiden we've ever seen. I can't wait for NG4.​

Let's take some time to admire Ryu's wet physique.​

While this is part of the cut scene, if you're looking for gore shots timing is of the essence.​

This was my first stab at an obliteration technique shot. I'm not happy with it but will use it as a comparison to future photographs.

We all know what happens here.

Always enjoyed the interaction between these two.​

Sonia seems a little indifferent with being bound by the Black Spider Clan, doesn't she?

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Definitely want the game this payday, I'll see if I can take some pics too!

 

The Greater Fiends

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Alexei is the first of the Greater Fiends that Hayabusa fights in NYC. Held by the Demon Seal for many years until released by Dagra Dai and later resurrected!



Alexei Summoned the Statue of Liberty to Kill Hayabusa and was resurrected alongside the other Greater Fiends by Elizebet to exact revenge on Ryu! He also held Sonia Captive in a bird cage to bait Hayabusa to the inner depths of Mount Fuji even though Hayabusa would've made his attack on the Greater Fiends Regardless.

Volf is the Ruler of Storms and after the seal was broken, he quickly reclaimed dominance with his esteemed tribe of followers.



Did you know that Volf's Eclipse Scythe was created by Wootz steel and the remains of the previous Lycanthrope King?​

Volf's Tribe is not easy to take out. Their hardened skin, and likened image of Volf make them tougher to carve than the average fiend.​

Zedonius is one of my favorite fiend designs in NG and you can see lookalikes to his fiend tribe in NINJA Gaiden: Ragebound!​

He was the ruler and in this world the creator of flame. He gave the gift of fire to humans and claims they did not appreciate it.​

While he is the ruler of flame; he's ironically consumed by flame when he meets his end against the True Dragon Sword.

Marbus is the ruler of hell, and he was defeated once already by Hayabusa.

This Greater Fiend can resurrect lesser fiends from the dead.


Rachel defeats Marbus, but he is later resurrected, still missing his horn and defeated permanently by Hayabusa! He was added to NINJA Gaiden Sigma 2 and replaced the 2 Nuclear Armadillo Boss Fight within the OG XBOX 360 version.

Elizebet is the Queen of Fiends and was awakened by High Priest Dagra Dai


She originally made a deal with Murai that gave him access to Dark Dragon Blade power. Her latest blood ritual will bring back the Archfiend.

Dagra Dai is a menacing High Priest from Ancient times. He was a wondering philosopher and teacher that discovered the Archfiend. The Archfiend claimed the man and gave him a second available form for his loyalty bestowing a third eye and fiend powers. It's Dagra Dai's mission to bring the Archfiend to full power.

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Vazdah the Archfiend

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Vazdah was birthed in Vigoor after the slaying of the 13 Dragons and defeat of the Dark Dragon

The Archfiend desires to be worshipped by humans while the Dark Dragon wanted to destroy humanity completely.

Only the Dragon NINJA were able to seal the Fiends of Vigoor.

The true final form of the Archfiend!​

 

Momiji Outside of Cut Scenes

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When I discovered DLSS wasn't activated, I quickly changed that! Look at her!​

Low Camera Shot that shows off Momiji's Perfect Angles.​

Trying to get a sexy Obliteration Technique with no Photo Mode is always a REAL challenge.​

I've always been a big fan of the color tones with Ultimate Techniques!

Muramasa

DOA players might recognize Muramasa from the shop at Dead or Alive 4's Seaside Market

His first appearance was in the 2003 reboot of NINJA Gaiden!

Muramasa is a master of deciphering relics and other oddities.

He has saved the Dragon NINJA Clan on multiple occasions including: Momiji, Hayabusa & Sanji​

 

The Black Spider NINJA Clan

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The Tengu Brothers Youngest (left) & Eldest (right)​

They were hired by Obaba to assault the village!​

Both brothers are a part of the Black Spider Ninja Clan.​

Momiji Fights them off, but they are both eventually killed by Ryu Hayabusa at Mount Fuji!​

Obaba was the leader of the Black Spider NINJA Clan, but she was decimated by Ayane and first introduced in NINJA Gaiden Dragon Sword!

Genshin is the leader now and he is considered the equal of Hayabusa in combat despite being defeated by Ryu many times.

Did you know that Genshin is the older brother of Gamov and the second to be called Super NINJA?​

 

Momiji the Shrine Maiden

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Another beautiful shot of Momiji being the great shrine maiden she is. Did you know she replaced Kureha after she was murdered by Doku in the original NG?​

Sanji was introduced in NINJA Gaiden Dragon Sword on the Nintendo DS. Momiji protects him and other young villagers.​

He also gets a strong dose of the soft engine! Sanji doesn't know what to think of it!​

Momiji's weapon is called the Heavenly Dragon Naginata!​

Team NINJA always nails the expressions. Period.​

Momiji is ready to destroy the Tengu Brothers, but sadly Hayabusa is the one that finish the job again. ​

 

Rachel the Ultimate Fiend Hunter

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Rachel's Type 666 Heavy Machine Gun Bangs and is one of the most OP projectile weapons in NINJA Gaiden History!

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Not as muscular as Ayane's figure, but curvaceous, smooth, soft and wet.​

Don't let Rachel's kind nature fool you. She's ready to kill fiends. ​

I really enjoyed taking this photograph and I think this fiend is ready for Rachel to kill him being caked in the misery of his own green goop.​

 

 

Ayane the Prismatic Butterfly

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OMG Ayane looks absolutely amazing in NGIIB. I mean her face is beautiful, she blends with that mystical purple color. Her back and arm muscle tone are just perfect, and from these POVs I would love to see this model in the next DOA honestly. Bravo to Team NINJA for knocking Ayane out of the park. Just fix the headband clipping please!

Ayane's beautiful and demonic red eyes.​

The famed Fuma Kodachi blades!​

The rebirth of the True Dragon Sword!​

Ayane is only respectful to ninjas that can best her in combat... and even then, she's tough to tame!​

The realization of evil being right in front of them the whole time.​

The epitome of beauty...


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Ayane's Mission was Imperative to Hayabusa's success!

Ayane was still in training whilst defeating Obaba.​

Ayane's Iconic Butterfly Pendant on Full Display​

Ayane's muscle tone is definitely on display in her Kodachi combat stance!​

Sometimes the hair dithers, but most of the time it looks really nice!

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Irene Lew AKA Sonia

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Now, Sonia from a canonical point of view is one of the most interesting characters in the game because she acts as a potential bridge to the original NES titles: NINJA Gaiden, NINJA Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos and of course NINJA Gaiden III: The Ancient Ship of Doom. Her alias name and potentially her disguise as the short haired dirty-blonde Sonia with her real name being Irene Lew.

Using this information potentially connects all of these games together despite some obvious loopholes that would need to be fixed such as Ryu Hayabusa's age. Which would mean that the 3D franchise is a prequel to the classic 2D NES titles.

Sonia's redesign for NGII is spectacular. The proportions of the body such as her arms and middle section are all attributes that should be implemented into the next Team NINJA project. Unreal Engine 5 clears the Katana Engine easily and this should be Team NINJA's default moving forward past Prism.

Sonia is often referred to as a Damsel, but in all actuality, she saves Hayabusa with her gadgets on multiple occasions.

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A lot of players wanted to see Sonia as a playable character, but in never happened largely because she has no mele weapon.

Environments

Overall Rating

NGIIB is not new territory for us, and in some cases it's not at the hardcore level of the original version on XBOX 360. With that being said, this is still a very solid game whether or not you prefer the OG or Sigma 2. Overtime it's looking like this will become less of Sigma and more of its own thing which Team NINJA demonstrated with February's patch. If Team NINJA wanted to perfect the game, they could add cooperative play once more, maybe Kasumi as a playable character. The possibilities are endless considering the help and funding they are receiving from Microsoft as a publisher.

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Story Additions as of Today:

1. Mass Photo Dump Compiling the Largest Photograph Database for NG2 on the Web.
2. Free Use. Don't worry about crediting me or anything. Use these stunning photos for anything you want.
3. Lore Captions (the trivia and lore added to the photographs is to educate new players to the story and meaning behind all of the characters).
4. Review & Rating (visual design and storyline are covered through the photography and lore)

Enjoy!

 

I'm on a Samsung G9 32:9 Ultrawide, when I get home I can try to grab an image or two, but seriously I like the way NG2B looks in aesthetics and fidelity.

Hopefully I start Master Ninja mode sometime this week, but I personally enjoyed NG2B. If future games can look like that under UE5 (aside from optimization issues of course) then I have high hopes in games looking that great.

 

Great photos!

 

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1889881037544759759

 

Finally can play Ayane... she looks even better with a closer camera imo. Probably will take more pics once I've reached a checkpoint but here's some i got, love the night atmosphere and vibrance since it gives Ayane a much tougher vibe outside of DOA:

 

Last few for Ayane for the time being:

Pre Obaba fight

 

Same rules should apply to the thread as other photo threads. Please limit uploading the images through the FSD attachments as it potentially can fill my reserved data space on the server. It would be appreciated if users upload the files to free image locations and then link the images here.

Also to help visitors from loading pushing the page further down, it'd also be appreciated to wrap your set of images in the post to remain within SPOILER tags. It doesn't delay the images from loading but it does help prevent visitors being directed to a specific post then the post being pushed down off screen.

 

Same rules should apply to the thread as other photo threads. Please limit uploading the images through the FSD attachments as it potentially can fill my reserved data space on the server. It would be appreciated if users upload the files to free image locations and then link the images here.

Also to help visitors from loading pushing the page further down, it'd also be appreciated to wrap your set of images in the post to remain within SPOILER tags. It doesn't delay the images from loading but it does help prevent visitors being directed to a specific post then the post being pushed down off screen.

FSD attachments ensure that our news stories are preserved so I understand that. If you want me to make edits to the actual news post here let me know. NOT keen on that idea but noted given the hours it took to compile the initial posts.

But moving forward with the photography thread it would be nice if users posted that way for server preservation as you said. Though I believe I will need to continue using FSD attaching to select a banner image for home page stories as another brief mention.