Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos

This side scrolling action title continues the story of the ninja Ryu Hayabusa. A new antagonist, Ashtar, emerges following the defeat of Jaquio and seeks to bring darkness to the world, prompting Ryu's mission to confront him and destroy the Dark Sword of Chaos.

The core gameplay involves navigating levels while running, jumping, and using a sword against enemies. A significant new ability allows Ryu to cling to and climb vertical surfaces. The challenging pace is maintained through environmental hazards, such as mountain winds that affect movement and dark areas lit only by lightning.

Players can find various power ups scattered in the stages. These include returning projectile weapons like fireballs and ninja stars, as well as a new feature called the ninja shadow. Up to two of these shadows can be collected, and they will mimic Ryu's attacks precisely, effectively multiplying his offensive capability.

Narrative progression is handled through cinematic scenes that are placed between the action oriented levels. These segments detail the ongoing conflict as Ryu battles various creatures on his path to the final confrontation.