Line #1 VideoGame/NinjaGaidenIITheDarkSwordOfChaos


1	[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/33459_ninja_gaiden_ii_the_dark_sword_of_chaos_nes_front_cover_7.jpg]][[caption-width-right:350:When they said ''Hard to Beat!!'' they [[NintendoHard weren't kidding]].]]
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3	''Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos'', known in Japan as ''Ninja Ryūkenden II: Ankoku no Jashin Ken (忍者龍剣伝II 暗黒の邪神剣'') [[note]]literally, ''Legend of the Ninja Dragon Sword II: The Demonic Sword of Darkness''[[/note]] and in Europe as ''Shadow Warriors II: The Dark Sword of Chaos'', is a [[SideView side-scrolling]] PlatformGame developed and published by Creator/Tecmo for the Platform/NintendoEntertainmentSystem. The second of the NES ''Ninja Gaiden'' trilogy, was released in North America and Japan in 1990, and in Europe in 1992.
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5	A year has passed since the events of the first game. Ashtar, [[TheManBehindTheMan who was actually the one behind Jacquio]], has learned of his minions' defeat, and plans an EvilScheme to open up the Gates of Darkness and TakeOverTheWorld. This sets off a chain of events where Ryu Hayabusa must once again be called upon to stop the forces of Darkness and save the world.
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7	One of the most infamously difficult games for the NES, ''Ninja Gaiden II'' basically codified NintendoHard along with ''Castlevania.'' Its unforgiving nature is offset by its gorgeous graphics which hold up even today, truly innovative use of cut scenes -- similar to its predecessor -- and that [[AwesomeMusic/NinjaGaiden bangin soundtrack]].
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9	Not to be confused with ''VideoGame/NinjaGaidenII2008''.
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11	!!'''Tropes used in this work include:'''
12	* AlienSky: As Ryu approaches the gate to the Realm of Chaos, he's greeted by an eerie violet sky with strange stars hanging too close to the surface.
13	* AllThereInTheManual: The names of the bosses and what they're supposed to be, for one.
14	* AttackDrone: The Shadow Clones from, which follow in Ryu's footsteps ''precisely'' and attack when he does, at no cost. He can have up to two clones out at a time.
15	* BackFromTheDead: [[spoiler:Irene]] after being sacrificed for Jacquio's goal. [[spoiler:She gets resurrected by the Dragon Sword's magic in the ending]].
16	* BaitAndSwitchGunshot: After beating the first boss, Dando the Cursed, Ryu meets a mysterious operative who pulls a gun on him. Before Ryu can react, the man fires a shot...[[spoiler:to finish off Dando, who Ryu hadn't quite finished off]].
17	* {{BFS}}: The titular Dark Sword of Chaos is just gigantic, yet Ashtar can wield it easily with one hand.
18	* BigCreepyCrawlies: Baron Spider, the second boss, summons giant tarantulas.
19	* BlindIdiotTranslation: "Dando the Cursed" [[https://ninjagaiden.fandom.com/wiki/Dando is supposed to be]] "The Damned One" or "The Damned and Cursed." This one is more forgivable, given Nintendo's infamous censorship policies at the time.
20	* BloodyBowelsOfHell: The last stages take place in the Realm of Chaos. They steadily become more organic, with pulsing organs and faces on the walls, dripping ooze, and veins running across every surface.
21	* ComicBookAdaptation: The ''Magazine/NintendoPower'' Strategy Guide for ''The Dark Sword of Chaos'' followed the game's story between gameplay tips and tricks as a fully drawn comic book. [[https://i.imgur.com/27udNXC.jpg Ryu's encounter with Ashtar]] is a stand-out moment.
22	* CoolShades: Worn by Robert.
23	* DamselInDistress: [[spoiler:Irene]] gets kidnapped by Ashtar.
24	* DemotedToExtra: Clones of the Malice Four, the bosses of the first game, appear as powered-down mooks.
25	* DramaticThunder: The way that Ashtar introduces himself.
26	* EvilutionaryBiologist: What [[spoiler:Baron Spider]] used to be.
27	* EvilCounterpart: As far as the NES games go, it's explicitly stated that the [[TitleDrop Dark Sword of Chaos]] is this to the Dragon Sword, having been forged from a demon's bone as opposed to a dragon's fang.
28	* EvilTowerOfOminousness: Both the Tower of Lahja, and later the gate to the Chaos Realm.
29	* HalfHumanHybrid: [[spoiler:Baron Spider]], who WasOnceAMan.
30	* {{Hellgate}}: A recursive example: an evil-looking tower with a demonic skull for an entrance, which leads to the antechamber of the Realm of Chaos. And inside ''that'', an altar upon which the actual gates can be opened.
31	* HeroicSacrifice: Not only is it heavily implied that [[spoiler:Robert]] died while [[HoldTheLine he held the line]] to protect Ryu's back, but ''the Dragon Sword itself'' makes a sacrifice to revive Irene at the end.
32	* TheLegionsOfHell: What will pour out of the Gate of Darkness to the [[{{Hell}} Realm of Chaos]] if Ashtar's ritual is completed. Many foes in the games already hail from there.
33	* LocomotiveLevel: Stage 2-1 is on a train. Curiously, walking into the end car takes you to a windy mountaintop.
34	* MaskPower: Ashtar wears a smooth, faceless metal mask with only thin slits for eyes...or maybe the eyes ''are'' part of the mask?
35	* NinjaPirateZombieRobot: Funky Dynamite, a man-sized mutant lizard cyborg with a jetpack and plasma guns.
36	* ObstructiveForeground: Infamously, one of the things that makes this game so damn hard.
37	* SleevesAreForWimps: Robert T. Sturgeon is a devoted follower of this philosophy.
38	* SwordBeam: The Dark Sword of Chaos can shoot off what looks like ball lightning.
39	* WarmUpBoss: Dando the Cursed, the first boss, moves slowly and only uses a charging attack to knock Ryu off any walls he's trying to climb. Despite this gimmick, he's still very easy to defeat.
40	* WombLevel: The Realm of Chaos, as mentioned above. It's incredibly visceral for an 8-bit game, too.
41	* YouShallNotPass: Robert's battle against the demons.

Context VideoGame / NinjaGaidenIITheDarkSwordOfChaos