Igataki Speaks to IGNNinja Gaiden just keeps getting better and better. As if the release of Hurricane Pack Vol. 1 two months ago was not enough, Team Ninja head Tomonobu Itagaki is continuing to improve on his awesome action title. The last download offered a reworking of Ninja Gaiden, with a new weapon, an action engine that made the game faster, and some exciting new enemies. So where can the game go from here?



Itagaki gave us a glimpse at what gamers will enjoy when Ninja Gaiden: Hurricane Pack Vol. 2 is released at the end of September, coinciding with the third round of the Master Ninja Tournament. Rather than again retooling the main Ninja Gaiden campaign, Itagaki has chosen to release a separate adventure that promises to be challenging, but also jam-packed with action.

Greater details on Vol. 2 will be revealed in the near future. To whet your appetite, Itagaki has provided IGN with the very first details on Hurricane Pack Vol. 2. We also have fifteen mind-blowing screens that will, well, blow your mind.

IGN: What is going to set Hurricane Pack Vol. 2 apart from the first Pack?

Itagaki: Hurricane Pack: Vol.1 required high skill and long play time but the Volume 2 is different. Volume 2 is a short scenario that can be completed in 30-40 minutes -- that is if you're a Master Ninja. The reason for keeping it short is to stimulate the competitive nature of the players who seek challenge. Just because it's a short scenario, don't let your guard down because we didn't take it easy on you at all. In contrary, Monsters are evolved, enemy ninjas have new weapons, and the new "Shadow" enemies will attack you with skills you've never seen before.

IGN: With the first Hurricane Pack, you made Ninja Gaiden even more difficult. Will Vol. 2 increase the difficulty even further and if so, how?

Itagaki: If you've cleared Hurricane Pack:Vol. 1, you shouldn' t have any problem (ha, ha, ha...)

IGN: In Vol. 1, we received the very awesome Lunar. Are there any new weapons in Vol. 2 and if so, can you tell us about them?

Itagaki: No, there are no new weapons. Vol. 2's concept is to focus on evolving the monsters.

IGN: Are there new costumes? If so, how many and what were the inspiration for their design?

Itagaki: This time, I didn't increase the number of costumes. If you want to talk about the costumes, shouldn't we be talking about Dead or Alive Ultimate instead of Ninja Gaiden?

IGN: Are there new enemies? If so, can you tell us about the new enemies we'll be facing and how they differ from those we've already encountered?

Itagaki: First of all, your familiar monsters have evolved so you should worry about facing them. These evolved monsters are good enough to kill Hayabusa. Of course that's not all. We've created an all new monster. Be prepared to fight these guys who will appear from meteorites. To beat them, your old techniques will no longer help you. This new monster will bring fear and excitement to the gamers on this earth for the third time this year.

IGN: Vol. 1 added the Intercept move, which changed the game. What elements are you adding to Vol. 2 that will force players to approach Ninja Gaiden in a different way?

Itagaki: Action engine was completed in Volume 1. This time, I only made subtle changes.

IGN: Is this the final download for Ninja Gaiden or can we expect more?

Itagaki: To make my vision a reality, I'm currently contemplating on how to do it in a most beautiful way.

IGN: Is there anything that isn't in Ninja Gaiden that you still wish you could add, or does Hurricane Pack Vol. 2 complete the game in your mind?

Itagaki: No.

IGN: Are there any plans to offer some sort of Ninja Gaiden: Director's Cut for the holidays for fans that don't have Xbox Live but want to try the new additions?

Itagaki: I know that 90% of the Ninja Gaiden users only enjoy the off line gaming. To not disappoint those hardcore fans of Ninja Gaiden, I'd like to think of something for them.

IGN: How will the new additions of Hurricane Pack Vol. 2 help cement Ninja Gaiden as the greatest action game of all time?

Itagaki: The greatness of this game should be determined by the gamers who played it. I think that Ninja Gaiden is the most desired form of an action game, as far as Team NINJA is concerned. For this reason, the original version turned out to be quite edgy. Now with Hurricane Pack Vol.1 & Vol.2, we were able to add more depth and width to the game. I'm thankful for this game obtaining a great capacity that can accommodate all the feedbacks from the players from around the world and my talented staff who made such a game.

IGN: Has the positive response to the Hurricane Pack inspired you at all to do this sort of thing with any other upcoming Team Ninja games?

Itagaki: Creating Hurricane Pack turned out to be a great experience for Team NINJA. This experience along with the progress of DOA Ultimate will provide a solid corner stone for us.Source: IGN