Players can upload Karma scores to Xbox Live leaderboards and even enter a competition

Oct 30, 2007 09:54 GMT  ·  By

Team Ninja's most ambitious project yet is Ninja Gaiden 2 for the Xbox 360. Legendary game developer Tomonobu Itagaki is handling the title that features a new engine tailored for perfect compatibility with Microsoft's system. The latest update from Team Ninja is more than every fan ever hoped for - the full fact sheet for Ninja Gaiden 2.

Complete with key gameplay features, this update reveals that gamers must guide Ryu Hayabusa on a mission to avenge his clan and prevent the destruction of the human race, armed with ninja weaponry... No wait, we knew all this. What we didn't know up until this point is that Ninja Gaiden 2 will feature this new "auto-health regeneration system," as well as Xbox LIVE leaderboards, offering fanatics the chance to participate in a Master Ninja Tournament. But why don't you just take a look at everything that Team Ninja has just confirmed for the game:

■ Assuming the role of a ninja warrior, players will experience an all-new combat system that requires skill and mastery of their full arsenal of weapons, including Obliteration Techniques that allow players to quickly and stylishly finish off an opponent. In addition to the variety of brutal new primary weapons and enhanced versions of previous favorites, "Ninja Gaiden 2" will feature unique acrobatic combat and attacks used not only by Ryu Hayabusa but also by his formidable enemies.

■ The new auto-healing system in "Ninja Gaiden 2," featuring semi-permanent damage restored at save points, is the natural evolution of the franchise's distinctive gameplay and introduces a new twist to managing health. With a newly implemented auto-healing functionality and save-point system, as well as an extensive story mode and multiple difficulty levels available from the start of the game, the gameplay of "Ninja Gaiden 2" will be both accessible to more casual players and challenging to even the most demanding gamers.

■ The themes of revenge and friendship in "Ninja Gaiden 2" give rise to a series of dramatic events to create a truly compelling story. From Tokyo to New York and to the netherworld, the story will lead players through a lengthy, action-packed story mode as they skillfully maneuver Ryu Hayabusa through a demonized world fraught with peril and danger. In addition to the single-player campaign, players can upload Karma scores to Xbox LIVE leaderboards and participate in an all-new Master Ninja Tournament.

■ Built from the ground up from Team Ninja's in-house gaming engine for the next-generation Xbox 360 platform, "Ninja Gaiden 2" represents the best in amazing visuals, responsive control and thrilling combat with an extensive assortment of ninja weaponry. Ninja Gaiden 2 launches next year exclusively for the Xbox 360. The project is currently being handled by legendary game developer Tomonobu Itagaki.