Ryu Hayabusa’s adventures have always been heralded as some of the most difficult in all gaming history, andNinja Gaiden 2 Blackis no exception. The remaster of the 2008 action classic demands both quick reflexes and precise execution if you want to make it through all the available content.
Of course, this level of challenge is present in the achievement list as well. Many of the 37 challenges appear rather straightforward, but the developers' decision to make you play through every difficulty level may have you tearing your hair out. Here’s how to grab every trophy in Ryu’s seminal outing.
Campaign Trophies
You won’t have to think much about any story-related achievements, since they areautomatically awarded after certain chapters. However, brace yourself for the grind, asyou’ll need to complete the campaign multiple times over.
Submit, or Die!
Trial of the Acolyte
Clear Hero Play Style or PATH OF THE ACOLYTE.
Awarded for completing the game on various difficulty settings. Unfortunately, these trophies don’t stack, so you’ll need to beat the campaign four times on progressively harder difficulties!
Awakening of the Warrior
Clear the game on the PATH OF THE MASTER NINJA.
Technique Trophies
All Ryu’s techniques areexplained at the beginning of the game, making it incredibly difficult to miss their associated trophies. However, you won’t be able to pop them untilafter you have received the appropriate tutorial, so don’t worry if the achievement doesn’t register right away.
Like the Wind
Successfully perform the Reverse Wind technique.
Unlocked by flicking the Left Stick while holding the block button, resulting in a dash.
The Blue Gale
Successfully perform the Furious Wind technique.
Unlocked by dashing after blocking enemy attacks, allowing you to reposition and strike back.
Cast No Shadow
Successfully perform the Shadowless Footsteps technique.
Unlocked by jumping into a wall to start wall running. Useful for both traversal and combat.
Like a Swallow
Successfully perform the Flying Swallow technique.
Unlocked by performing a Flying Swallow. Jump towards an enemy with the Dragon Sword equipped and press Triangle/Y. Doing so will cause Ryu to jet forward and slash, potentially decapitating foes.
Need Not a Ladder
Successfully perform the Flying Bird Flip technique.
Unlocked by jumping between two opposing walls to reach a higher area.
Certain Death
Successfully perform the Obliteration Technique.
This will be done naturally during gameplay. Pressing Triangle/Y next to any dismembered enemy will perform a flashy execution animation.
Strong Heart
Successfully perform the Ultimate Technique.
Hold Triangle/Y until Ryu starts glowing, then release to unleash a flurry of blows on enemies.
The Last Rites
Successfully perform the Ultimate Guidance technique.
Similar to the Ultimate Technique, you will need to hold Triangle/Y while there is Essence nearby. This Essence will be sucked into you and your UT will charge much faster, allowing you to use it quicker.
Cool and Calm
Successfully perform the Counter Attack technique.
While blocking an attack, press either Square/X or Triangle/Y to interrupt an enemy and start a combo of your own.
Running Through
Successfully perform the Unrivaled Soaring technique.
While running on a wall, jump to another perpendicular wall to continue traversing across the environment.
Passing the Void
Successfully perform the Invisible Path technique.
While running on a wall, jump to another parallel wall to continue traversing across the environment.
Izuna Drop
Successfully perform the Izuna Drop technique.
The Izuna Drop is a technique that will send enemies into the air before violently slamming them into the ground. you’re able to perform it with a few different weapons, but it’s most commonly done with the Dragon Sword by pressing Square, Triangle, Square, Square, Square, Triangle, or X, Y, X, X, X, Y.
Throat Cutting Wind
Successfully perform the Guillotine Throw technique.
Jump towards an enemy and press Square and Cross (or X and A) to throw them.
Fiery Roar
Successfully perform the Art of the Inferno Ninpo.
Unlocked by using each of Ryu’s Ninpo types once. Simply equip them in the pause menu after unlocking them in the story, cast them, and the achievement will pop.
Successfully perform the Art of the Piercing Void Ninpo.
Challenge Trophies
It wasn’t enough to complete the story again and again, now you need toachieve Master Ninja rank in each chapter on each difficulty! Thankfully, you canselect each chapter from a menu, letting you retry easily should you fail.
How To Unlock
Mark of the Ninja
Earn the MASTER NINJA rank in all chapters on CHAPTER CHALLENGE difficulty PATH OF THE ACOLYTE.
Replay each chapter on each difficulty and earn the Master Ninja rank. You’ll need to be efficient with your kills, fight all enemies, and complete the stage quickly. Try to use Ultimate Techniques to get more points!
Mark of the Warrior
Earn the MASTER NINJA rank in all chapters on CHAPTER CHALLENGE difficulty PATH OF THE WARRIOR.
Mark of the Mentor
Earn the MASTER NINJA rank in all chapters on CHAPTER CHALLENGE difficulty PATH OF THE MENTOR.
Mark of the Master Ninja
Earn the MASTER NINJA rank in all chapters on CHAPTER CHALLENGE difficulty PATH OF THE MASTER NINJA.
The Power of Two
Clear all Tag Missions.
Complete these extra missions where an AI companion accompanies you to earn the trophy.
Collectible Trophies
The main collectible in NG2 Black is Crystal Skulls, which can befound throughout the game. However, you’ll be collecting corpses too, as you need torack up kills with each of the playable characters.
Crystal Skull
Obtain all of the Crystal Skulls.
Find all 30 of the Crystal Skulls scattered around the levels.
Chain of 100 Slashes
Achieve a 100-hit combo with any weapon.
Get a 100-hit combo. This will require you to chain 100 hits in rapid succession without getting hit, so try to use Ultimate Techniques!
Dragon Ninja
Defeat 1,000 enemies with Hayabusa.
Kill 1,000 enemies with each character. This will happen naturally with Ryu Hayabusa during the campaign, but you will need to grind with the other characters.
