Team Ninja: Ninja Gaiden II is 'already outdated'

A rapidly evolving games industry has made 2008's Ninja Gaiden II "outdated", according to Ninja Gaiden 3 producer Yosuke Hayashi.

Speaking to VideoGamer.com via a translator at a London press event earlier today, Hayashi discussed how the team took criticisms of Ninja Gaiden II on board for the upcoming Ninja Gaiden 3.

"The good things we want to improve more and bad things we want to change," he said. "Most of all, basically, for the previous series - Ninja Gaiden II is already outdated, I feel. That's why, as you see, the industry evolution for game creation and game development already has been changed and paradigm shifted.

[Gago]

NG2 was by far the worst NG game

NGS2 was 10x better

[Mohdunknown]

ITS BASICALLY THE SAME GAME.

[Godmars290]

With more content, play modes, more playable characters and a tweak to camera issues.

Which somehow earned it lower review scores...

[Baka-akaB]

Not the same game , a quite enhanced remake with even co-op .

But it wouldnt mean squat if the original wasnt good to begin with

[SuperLupe]

Some aspects of Ninja Gaiden 2 were already dated when the game came out.

A year later with some minor tweaks gives a very outdated game with some minor tweaks.

So no NGS2 a year or more after NG2 doesnt make it ten times better nor did it deserve better scores.

[Darrius Cole]

Godmars forgot the better graphics.

[TheDeadMetalhead]

Ninja Gaiden III on NES was the worst Ninja Gaiden game.

[Commander_TK]

Both games are great exclusives for their respective platforms.

[ABizzel1]

So what are you going to do about it then Hayashi?

Ninja Gaiden is another one of the older series that needs a reboot.

Ninja Gaiden always had great gameplay, but it needs an evolution instead of tweaking. How to improve on that is all up to Team Ninja. They set a high bar, that every other game in the genre is just now catching up to, and they need to set that bar again.

Graphics. The engine, while acceptable, is dated. Its shown its age and it's not the pretty thing it was back on the Xbox. The graphics in the game was a highlight and a huge selling point. It was the best looking game in it's genre last gen, and now it's near the back of the pack.

Story. If you're going to drop anything, then drop the current set up of the story. Ninja Gaiden has one of the worst stories in the genre ever, for a high profile title. The first game's story was decent enough to tie the characters together, but after playing part 2 I don't know WTF they were thinking. Go more into Ninja lore, and get rid of the freaking greater fiends, Ugh.

Bosses. Spider ninjas, vampires, werewolves, The Statue of Liberty WTF. The Spider Ninja's are fine, but if you're going to do that then go all out with it. Make other Ninja clans and have it similar to Ninja Scroll, that would kick @$$.

Camera. Go God of War style with a fixed camera, or find a solution to it, because the current one has to go.

Tenchu. I think they need to be more like Tenchu. Ninja Gaiden is extremely linear, and that's great, because it keeps gamers focused on the story, and on the right path. But have stages that break up the linearity with things like rooftop battles, and things like that where, you can move around a large open space.

I'm not bashing on Ninja Gaiden at all. It's my 3rd favorite hack and slash franchise, but it should definitely be giving God of War a run for it's money and in it's current state it's not. Ninja Gaiden Sigma is the best of the 3D versions, and that's a shame considering it's 4 years old, and a updated version of the original Xbox game. They really need to overhaul Ninja Gaiden 3, to get an audience back, before it's too late, and it becomes a has been.

Also I would love a new Shinobi game. Have they released any of the Shinobi titles, on PSN, XBLA, or Wii Ware?

[jetlian]

also forgot the less enemies on screen slower frame rate and a lot less blood. changes to bow as well

[Cherchez La Ghost]

Now I see why you're silly-azz has 2 bubbles. Go back up your tree, Troll.

Anyways, no matter which version PS3 or 360 this game deserves to be in your collection.

[NeutralGamer]

Since when do Troll hide in trees? I thought it was bridges :s

[NYC_Gamer]

NGS2 was too easy in my opinion and the lack of blood just made cutting off limbs seem useless

[Istanbull]

Was there rocket spamming in NGS2? If not then that game would be instantly 100x better than NG2.

The rocket spamming really made NG2 terrible.

[Arnon]

Sounds like you just cant handle it :P

[gamingdroid]

I don't think NG2 hardcore difficulty level was approachable for many gamers. However, it is a very rewarding game.

My favorite this generation so far! ...well next to Mass Effect and Gears of War.

[baodeus]

@istanbull

You should learn how to deflect rocket then (instant block and a quick dash helps)...go on you tube and watch how people did it point blank. Obviously, you need more practice. NG1 is more solid (has more variety and somewhat better story, but NG2 seriously has better weapons and pure action).

Games are getting boring because they lack of challenge, and there are plenty in NG1/NG2. Hopes they keep up that aspect for the next installment.

Not many other fighting game has such fluidity in fighting mechanic as NG though. It is the best out there.

[eggbert]

YOU'S TROLLING.

[NYC_Gamer]

i hope they back the blood/gore and challenge

[BLACKBOIJONES]

I hope NG3 comes out this year, im a huge fan of the game.

[despair]

I didn't enjoy NG2 or NGS2(played both) very much, it felt more like a chore than fun and this is from someone who thoroughly enjoyed NG1 on the original Xbox and Sigma on PS3(yes same game basically). I mean that game was very technical and actually had some challenge, NG2 was just flashy with cheap deaths and bad camera.

[Hozi89]

Don't care what people say NG1 AND 2 are one of the best action/hack and slash games to ever come out on current consoles.
NG 2
NGS 1 and 2,
DMC 4
Bayonetta
GOW 3
....These are the only action games I think are actually good on current consoles.

[gamingdroid]

I agree, NG2 outdated yet no other game I have played touches it in the game mechanic department.

I'm interested to see what Hayashi can do with NG3, but let's face it NG Sigma 2 didn't improve jack squat in game mechanic over the Xbox 360. The extra characters added was dull to play. An improvement over Rachel in NG Sigma 1 I guess. To boot, NGS2 added a controller delay or timing difference didn't really help either. The blood removal was ridiculous as that was part of the carnage you left behind. The feeling of bad-assery was removed!

I'm hoping for the best, but Hayashi hasn't exactly proven himself yet.

[Darrius Cole]

Multi-plat title????

Prepare for a game that is not as good as NG2 or NGS2. Jack of all trades, master of none.

[Dysmorphic]

Just because it's on more than one platform doesn't mean it's instantly bad, you fool.

[dorron]

Looking forward to this one!

[clrlite]

Maybe they should look to the past for inspiration for the future. If they make another game as good as the FIRST Ninja Gaiden Sigma for PS3 I will be surprised/delighted. I think they may already be missing the point though.

Either way, I'll be waiting for NGS3 on PS3. If it manages to surpass the first two, that's quite an accomplishment.

[LightofDarkness]

Yeah, the problem with ng2 was that it's story elements and presentation were very last gen upon release. The combat system was still technically superior to everything else, but bayonetta essentially craps all over it at this point, with gow3's presentation and story burying it. Ngs2 had lots of nice window dressing features, but the removal of blood and gore in general essentially neutered the games only real standout attribute, which was always a great deal of fun to me.

Here's hoping the 3rd outing addresses all grievances from the previous game, but for some reason I'm doubtful.

[baodeus]

bayonetta fighting is pretty up there as well. Although i think NG still edge out above it, mostly due to lightning speed, relentless enemies and challenging difficulties.

[HINDERIZATION]

Shinobi > Ninja Gaiden

[madjedi]

I'll take a next gen shinobi, when ng2 barely looked better than ng sigma, despite being a new game under the top mans guidance, the series being outdated is an understatement.

[m23]

None of the Ninja Gaiden games can touch the original Ninja Gaiden:Black on the Xbox. It was an awesome game, and they started toning down the difficulty every game. Ninja Gaiden 2 just didn't have the same type of impact as the original.

[Gen0ne]

Outdated you say? Probably played Bayonetta and said " We need to step up our game! " In terms of combat control, Bayonetta deftly beats Ninja Gaiden's ass. This coming from a NG fan 1st and foremost.

[turgore]

Ninja Gaiden 2 allready had outdated graphics at launch. Make a new engine, dont just port last gen engines !

[xino]

Ninja Gaiden 2 was a piece of shit!

Itagaki bitch talked about Sigma 1 being no good, now it's Hayashi's turn to do the same!

NG2 was a pussy's game, Sigma 2 was harder!
try and beat Ultimate Ninja 1- battle all 4 greater fiend at the same time!
Ultimate ninja 2- 3 fiend genshins!

-Ninja Gaiden 3-is sick!:)

[Venoxn4g]

Ninja gaiden is great series, even DS version is good too.. but I prefer more Bayonetta.. Bayonetta even is better for me than GOW3, yes, GOW3 has a lot of "WOW" moments, but bayonetta, echh.. I want to replay it again and get a sequel if it will come :) Still waiting for Ninja Gaiden 3 on Xbox or 3DS :)

[jalen247]

I mean when you compare any action game to the GOW series, it will look very outdated on many levels.