Tag Missions in Ninja Gaiden 2 Black serve as intense combat scenarios where players must overcome waves of enemies and bosses. These missions are accessible right away, though it’s highly advised to complete the main campaign first. Finishing the story once not only helps in mastering the core mechanics but also unlocks all Tag Missions for immediate play.
Overview of Tag Missions
Tag Missions are bite-sized combat challenges designed to test a player’s skill and adaptability. They feature various enemy combinations and boss encounters, with the added twist of fighting alongside an AI-controlled ally. Players can choose between Ryu, Momiji, Rachel, or Ayane as their Tag Partner and equip them with any available weapon loadout.
Performance in each mission is graded based on completion efficiency, with rankings given in Gold, Silver, or Bronze.
Difficulty Levels
Tag Missions are split across five escalating difficulty tiers:
- Acolyte
- Warrior
- Mentor
- Master Ninja
- Ultimate Ninja
Each level ramps up the intensity, with the Ultimate Ninja tier pushing the limits of what even seasoned players can handle. These upper-tier challenges demand both precision and endurance, making preparation essential.
Tag Mission Tips and Strategies
Think of your AI partner as more than just backup—they essentially act as an extension of your loadout. Players can switch between characters at any time by pressing down on the D-Pad. This allows for dynamic adjustments during missions, such as utilizing different weapons or techniques based on situational needs.
Health Management Is Crucial
Survival often hinges on how effectively health is conserved. Partners can be revived without limit, unless their red health surpasses the maximum threshold—leading to a game over. During high-pressure moments, it’s important to rotate characters as their health drops to prolong their survivability and maintain the ability to revive one another.
Stick Together in Chaos
When overwhelmed, staying close to your AI partner can sometimes be a lifesaver. Allies may unexpectedly rescue the player or divert enemy attention, creating opportunities to unleash powerful techniques or regain control of the battle.
Take Advantage of Orbs
Orbs dropped by enemies play a vital role in battle strategy. Absorbing orbs accelerates the charge for ultimate techniques, during which players are invulnerable. This mechanic not only provides a defensive edge but also opens the door for chaining high-damage attacks.
Red and blue orbs offer added benefits—blue restores health, while red enhances Ninpo. It’s important to switch to the appropriate character before collecting them to maximize their usefulness.
Maximize Ninpo Usage
Tag Missions start players off with two charges of Ninpo. If both characters hold at least one red orb, using Ninpo triggers a devastating area-of-effect explosion capable of instantly eliminating surrounding enemies and dealing serious damage to bosses.
Because most missions are brief, it’s essential not to let Ninpo go unused. Activating it can also encourage enemies to drop red or blue orbs, which may be more beneficial than the standard yellow variants. Keeping one red orb in reserve per character can provide a much-needed lifeline in emergencies.
Perseverance Pays Off
Many Tag Missions can feel insurmountable, especially with the unpredictable nature of AI allies. Sometimes, victory comes down to persistence. Repeating a mission multiple times may be necessary before success is achieved.
Continual experimentation leads to improvement. Switching up weapons, character pairings, and tactics is encouraged. Observing what works and leveraging it is key. For those struggling, Practice Mode offers infinite health and the opportunity to learn enemy patterns and mission layouts without the pressure of failure.