New details on Ninja Gaiden 2's violent tendencies
by Ross Miller 
{ Oct 24th 2007 at 2:58PM }
Additionally, there will be "obliteration techniques" that the player can activate by pressing Y after removing a limb. The details are unknown except that the camera zooms in, but we can only assume that entails protagonist Ryu totally flipping out and killing people in some stylish fashion. The techniques vary based on what weapon you're using and what body part you just removed.
Some of the stages are modeled after -- and possibly named after -- real world locations, including Tokyo, Times Square and Venice. (The Statue of Liberty was previously spotted in the TGS demo.) Expect cooperative attacks from enemies and unfortunately (but unsurprisingly) no multiplayer in the final game.
Ninja Gaiden 2, being published by Microsoft, is due out Spring 2008.
[Via X3F]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
mr nimblewick (SegaDF - Jogurt Ring) @ Oct 24th 2007 3:00PM
"Additionally, there will be "obliteration techniques" that the player can activate by pressing Y after removing a limb. The details are unknown except that the camera zooms in, but we can only assume that entails protagonist Ryu totally flipping out and killing people in some stylish fashion."
Haven't we grown out of this since mortal kombat?
Crono (NDF - Knight of the Old School) @ Oct 24th 2007 3:08PM
Manhunt would suggest otherwise.
GRANTED @ Oct 24th 2007 3:14PM
some of us have grown out of it, but a certain game designer has the same sense of "cool" as a frustrated 14-year old boy.
Victor @ Oct 24th 2007 3:18PM
different people, different tastes.
mr nimblewick (SegaDF - Jogurt Ring) @ Oct 24th 2007 3:26PM
"different people, different tastes."
children, mature people.
DemonGSides @ Oct 24th 2007 3:36PM
Wow, its amazing. You guys seem able to shit on everything.
Also: Fun vs. boring
So, yeah. I'm a child then. I can't wait for this game.
Sidepocket @ Oct 24th 2007 3:48PM
So you are saying because Schindler's List, Halloween and Fight Club also has brutal violence that those movies are both immature?
Also, Ninja Gaidan is know for being a very solid action series. I would love to see the same people who were all "Manhunt 2 is a bad game so good thing it was banned" jumping up and down in defense for this game! XD
d-pad @ Oct 24th 2007 3:49PM
"Also: Fun vs. boring"
Contrary to popular belief, fun can be achieved by methods other than severing a major artery or limb.
I know. Crazy talk.
That fuck'n Miyamoto has to rework his formula.
slackerdan @ Oct 24th 2007 4:03PM
I have the exact same thought about growing out of stuff every time I hear about Mario Galaxy or SSBrawl. Total hyopcrites you are, the whole lot of you. Some people like the blood in their games and some people like plumbers. Go waggle off. Ninja Gaiden is not for everyone and definitely not casual. A little ranting I know, but sooooooo true.
mr nimblewick (SegaDF - Jogurt Ring) @ Oct 24th 2007 4:06PM
"So you are saying because Schindler's List, Halloween and Fight Club also has brutal violence that those movies are both immature?"
Way to compare Schindler's List to Halloween and Ninja Gaiden.
There's a difference between violence for the sake of a story and violence for the sake of violence, blood, and decapitation.
d-pad @ Oct 24th 2007 4:26PM
Oh STFU slackerdan.
The discussion isn't whether violence and blood should be in videogames, it's whether the violence advances and or supports the story.
Every idiot knows that Ninja Gaiden is a violent game - the question is whether it's excessive or not.
Judging from the retarded amount of blood in the screenshot, I'd say it is.
Sidepocket @ Oct 24th 2007 5:26PM
Uh, I know we have not used swords in quite a long time in combat but...
You know, in a realistic situation if you slice someone with a sword you bleed. Alot. Keep on doing that with multiple people and you have a bloody mess on your hands.
Sure you do not need blood to have fun, but we are talking about Ninjas here. Ninjas! In a more realistic non-chibi setting. Killing people. What is there not to get.
Plus are you high? Video game stories right now are worse than comic books. We have not evolved one bit since the Custer's Revenge days. Blood sells. Sex sells. 80 FMV's sell. Yaoi fan service sells. Have you been under a rock for the last 10 years?
mr nimblewick (SegaDF - Jogurt Ring) @ Oct 24th 2007 5:35PM
"You know, in a realistic situation if you slice someone with a sword you bleed. Alot. Keep on doing that with multiple people and you have a bloody mess on your hands."
It's not the blood that the article is talking about. It is the "obliteration techniques" that present stylistic dismemberment that makes it silly.
Oh, and believe, I am well away of how bad video game stories are. Perhaps if we stopped focusing on "obliteration", that might change.
But probably not. Most movies sell themselves with blood and sex as well.
Geist @ Oct 24th 2007 11:32PM
"You know, in a realistic situation if you slice someone with a sword you bleed. Alot. Keep on doing that with multiple people and you have a bloody mess on your hands."
Bleed != Explode in a spray of blood. You cut of an arm, you will see a few squirts of blood, and a lot of blood flowing downwards. As in, not in a horizontal spray. If you heart pumped with that much force your arteries would probably all pop at once. And even THEN it would be internal and there'd be no spray!
Phil Butcher @ Oct 24th 2007 3:11PM
OH MY GOD, THE CHILDREN!
Someone get Jack on the case!!!!! Come on Jack! Sue Japan!
CaptainAmericaX @ Oct 24th 2007 3:47PM
LMAO!
VOTE UP!
Rob Accomando @ Oct 24th 2007 3:11PM
Game locales modeled after real landmarks? Oh no! MS better watch out. haha(Cathedral of Manchester)
DSR7997 @ Oct 24th 2007 3:17PM
Spring 2008 PFFT! I remember two long delays with the original.
rv @ Oct 24th 2007 3:18PM
I just hope it doesn't end up getting an AO rating and they have to go and redo it. Dismembering is nice but unnecessary.
James @ Oct 24th 2007 3:18PM
Do we really need this? I don't have a problem with senseless violence but when they start focusing on it they lose track of other aspects of the game. When you start advertising violent features there's a problem. Grand Theft Auto has senseless violence but it's still a solid game because the core gameplay is tight. It doesn't advertise itself by saying "Over 100 ways to kill people" even though that's probably true. The game would stand up if you made it Grand National Librarian, it just might not sell too well. I'd much rather a fun game made for babies than one trying to prove itself as made for adults.
Sean @ Oct 24th 2007 3:24PM
I can't wait for this.
Easo @ Oct 24th 2007 3:32PM
James
Dude the core gameplay of Grand Theft Auto hasnt been "tight" since the series went 3d. The lock on aiming system needs work, the hand to hand combat seems to be an afterthought, and missions never get more advanced than "go here blow this up and come back without dying".
Dont get me wrong, GTA is a FUN game. But over the top senseless violence in a free roaming environment is what makes GTA what it is. Should they ever change that, the series would fail.
James @ Oct 24th 2007 4:13PM
Fair enough but I played them all on PC so I know nothing of the lock on aiming system. I'd have to say Vice City was most solid of the 3D ones. San Andreas went for quantity not quality. Still had it's moments. Anyway this is about Ninja Gaiden which I don't think I will like. The previous one wasn't really my thing.
colin @ Oct 24th 2007 7:48PM
the original GTA's were AWESOME!!!
Brello @ Oct 24th 2007 3:34PM
This just seems needlessly edgy, and probably adds absolutely nothing to the fun of the game. Way to fail.
But seeing as its under..well, this comment describes him perfectly: "...a certain game designer [that] has the same sense of "cool" as a frustrated 14-year old boy." That pretty much sums it up why this game will be unnecessarily full of gore. Can't say it comes as a surprise, Itagaki fits that role perfectly.
the common cold @ Oct 24th 2007 3:35PM
Sounds like an effective reward for killing stuff, if you ask me.
Big John @ Oct 24th 2007 3:42PM
Bit bloody, innit? A little beyond entertainment and into "ok, now it's just blood for the sake of having gallons of blood".
Skeffington @ Oct 24th 2007 3:53PM
I know this is just one game, but I am sort of expecting more from 'Next-Gen' consoles than realistic blood spatters and sophisticated dismemberments.
Does it actually need to be there? Does it make the game any more fun or better for being included?
CaptainAmericaX @ Oct 24th 2007 3:53PM
Me loves the blood and guts!
Vandor @ Oct 24th 2007 4:12PM
Those of you lucky enough to have your lives, take them with you. However, leave the limbs you've lost. They belong to me now.
Vegeta (aka Ska Oreo) @ Oct 24th 2007 4:15PM
you get a 1up for the kill bill quote.
I'm impressed.
Sean @ Oct 24th 2007 4:50PM
That line is great.
Robobagins @ Oct 24th 2007 4:16PM
"Some of the stages are modeled after -- and possibly named after -- real world locations, including Tokyo, Times Square and Venice."
It's too bad they'll just be as flat and lifeless as the stages in the first Ninja Gaiden. It's still my major complaint with this series. BGs are just too static, and lifeless. Like it was built, painted and everyone just moved on.
zero2dash @ Oct 24th 2007 4:44PM
If you don't like the violence,
THE DON'T BUY THE FN GAME AND TELL JACK THOMPSON TO DO THE SAME.
God I'm sick of all these conservatives with their censorship BS. If you don't like the station, change the channel. Don't like the language, turn off the cd or stop reading the book. Don't like blood in your 'Kombat', then don't buy the FN game. Amazing!, this thing called COMMON SENSE is.
mr nimblewick (SegaDF - Jogurt Ring) @ Oct 24th 2007 4:52PM
I'm not going to buy the game and I'm not going to censor it. You can buy it if you want to and enjoy it. I just think the gaming community as a whole should be past the "Oooo, look at all the blood and limbs flying all over place, this game is so cool" mentality.
I get sick of all the people saying that video games should be considered "art" who also think that this type of violence is a great thing.
mr nimblewick (SegaDF - Jogurt Ring) @ Oct 24th 2007 4:53PM
I'm not going to buy the game and I'm not going to censor it. You can buy it if you want to and enjoy it. I just think the gaming community as a whole should be past the "Oooo, look at all the blood and limbs flying all over place, this game is so cool" mentality.
I get sick of all the people saying that video games should be considered "art" who also think that this type of violence is a great thing.
Skeffington @ Oct 24th 2007 5:08PM
Ditto what Mr Nimblewick said. Who said anyone wanted to censor the game?
Sure, if that's how Tecmo wants the game to be, they should go for it. They're a game company, and they have to make the decisions they think is right for the market.
Similarly, I am a consumer, and if the main selling point of the game is realistic gore for the sake of it, I'll make the decision not to buy the game. I don't have any moral problems or issues with the contents of the game whatsoever.
But as others have pointed out, there may be (I don't know, I'm not a game developer) better and more innovative ways of using the power of PS360 consoles.
Sidepocket @ Oct 24th 2007 5:34PM
...
You never watched SAW, The Hills Have Eyes, Kill Bill or 300 have you?
mr nimblewick (SegaDF - Jogurt Ring) @ Oct 24th 2007 5:36PM
"You never watched SAW, The Hills Have Eyes, Kill Bill or 300 have you?"
I've seen Kill Bill, but I don't consider any of those movies "art," either.
donker @ Oct 25th 2007 3:12PM
You may not consider it art but you aren't the determiner of art are you nimbledick. What kind of arrogant prick are you that you feel people should be better than this. Because your views are so fucking superior right? Shitwads like you that feel your so fucking superior because your so cultured really should fucking choke on a bone. Better yet why not recognize that your tastes aren't superior just different. And someone may like tonnes of blood and guts for the fuck of it and unlike you aren't so friggin serious all the time. LIghten up more bud the chicks dig that and maybe you'll even end up getting laid.
slackerdan @ Oct 24th 2007 5:03PM
@ d-pad
Be pissed if you like. I stand by what I said. The implied theme of this thread is that anything with blood or violence equates to a level of immaturity. ( the 14 yr old boy comment was a specific reference I believe ) I was just pointing out the irony and/or hypocrity of such a theme or implication considering that games like Mario etc. are actually designed for kids and is played by adults. ( atleast people older than 14 ) This game is obviously not. As for your argument about whether the violence adds to the story, that is rather weak. Ninja Gaiden is a pretty well established and reviewed franchise with a story which is more than can be said for most games. Comparing it to Mortal Kombat or Manhunt is very unreasonable, as well as assuming the blood is a cheap sort of gimmick thrown in . I am not arguing for or against the blood, just the choice of the developer to make it how they see fit and my choice to play it or not. Showing bias by dissing screen shots without even playing the game or knowing the reasoning behind the design just reinforces that there are some people on this site that will be critical and biased no matter what.
Skeffington @ Oct 24th 2007 5:15PM
I take issue with the idea that Mario/Nintendo games are made solely for kids and yet enjoyed mostly by adults. In my opinion, these games are made for everyone, kids AND adults, young AND old, male AND female.
You are right in saying that it is difficult to make an accurate assumption based on screenshots. My own assumption is that NGII is heading to be a beautiful but generally senseless gorefest. I hope to be proved wrong and if that's the case, I'll be first in line to buy it.
mr nimblewick (SegaDF - Jogurt Ring) @ Oct 24th 2007 5:16PM
I've seen the video of it and if you think that running forward ten steps, having demons appear around you, dismembering the demons, running forward ten steps, having demons appear around you, dismembering the demons, running forward ten steps, etc. is "violence that adds to the story," then there is really nothing I can say to you.
Sidepocket @ Oct 24th 2007 5:34PM
You know what I find funny?
Ninja Gaidan is known for its difficulty and challenging game play. Its a good game no matter how much blood there is.
So what I am going to laugh at is if Ninja Gaidan gets cut down by the censors and all the "Manhunt 2 sucked so its good that they banned it" will suddenly be singing a different tune when their highly popular series gets the same castration treatment.
Batzarro @ Oct 24th 2007 6:28PM
ARM KEBOB OF DEATH!
Seriously, anyone here went past a Goomba and didn't jump on him because it wasn't "necesary"? What is "necesary", in a videogame, anyway? Because the cake that is Ninja Gaiden is already well done(gameplay wise) and the rest is frosting... Blood frosting, if you will.
exit stencil @ Oct 24th 2007 7:55PM
I like the gore.
They should include a gore/off option for all those who are complaining.
... but I bet you'll leave it on.
Bulletbillx @ Nov 1st 2007 1:29PM
I hope none of the people complaining are fans of DMC, God of War or have played ninja gaiden for xbox. Because all these series are mostly made through their challenging and rewarding gameplay. The gore is just the frosting on the games.
Max @ Oct 24th 2007 10:18PM
You wanna cut down on the gore, get a Tampax ya sissies. Ninja Gaiden is gonna RAWK regardless of the brutality. The sliced limbs are just a bonus added to what is one of the greatest action games ever created.
gok @ Oct 25th 2007 8:53AM
Didn't know this many commenters have rake stuck up their ass.
neurologik @ Dec 7th 2007 10:48AM
Call me immature, but sometimes I like slicing up people in games. After playing Mass Effect and Mario Galaxy, one needs a little ninja style stress release. I can see people having a problem if a game is all gore and no substance (Manhunt), but with Team Ninja on it, know you are getting:a great,well polished game with massive amounts of gore.
This type of violence is so over the top and unrealistic to me, it doesn't really apply to real life and just ends up being ironically funny. If you want get angry at violence in videogames, focus on games like GRAW where you use real army weapons using advanced squad tactics to kill people by the boat load. That stuff is way closer to "real". No one brings up these extremely,realistically violent game just because they don't have obvious gore and other superficial violent traits.
The GTA style violence is so over top and exaggerated that it's more funny than sadistic to point it has no parallels with real violence anymore. It's just cartoon violence.
I dunno know...I've never played the game where the guy lives a cruel joke for a life,leaves a suicide note, then shoots people at random before blowing his own brains out. That would hit close to home and be understandably offensive.