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Like most modern actions games,Ninja Gaiden 2 Blackfeatured a series of collectibles that make it possible to upgrade Ryu’s maximum health. These collectibles come in two forms:Life of the Gods,andLives of the Thousand Gods.These special items are found throughout the game, and are the only available method for increasing max health. In this guide, we’ll show youwhere to find all 18 Life of the Gods, andall 8 Lives of the Thousand GodsinNinja Gaiden 2 Black.
Every Life of the Gods Health Upgrade in Ninja Gaiden 2 Black
Life of the Gods Health Upgrades in Chapter 1 – NInja Gaiden 2 Black
There isoneLives of the Thousand Gods, andtwo Life of the Gods, inNinja Gaiden 2 BlackChapter 1: The Way of the Ninja.
Lives of the Thousand Gods 1:
You’ll find the firstLives of the Thousand Godsnot far after the firstStatue of the Earth Dragonsave point. After learning the wall-run technique, you’ll learn the Obliteration technique and enter a chamber with three already-injured enemies. This max health upgrade is in a chest in the same chamber.
Life of the Gods 1:
The firstLife of the Godschest is found by dropping into the water area you encounter after using the Flying Bird technique to reach the area with several cherry blossom trees. After defeating the enemies at the top, drop into the channel and head towards the large wall with the drainage pipe below what looks like a factory.
Defeat the group of enemies that attack at the wall, then turn left towards the edge of the waterfall. At the edge, turn left, and you’ll see the chest on a small patio just off the water.
Life of the Gods 2:
After passing the area with the water canal and cherry blossom trees, you’ll head down the long set of stairs beneath the second Crystal Skull location. At the end of the stairs, you’ll reach a long wooden deck area with two levels. Drop to the lower level and head to the very end to find the chest that contains Life of the Gods 2.
All Max Health Upgrades in Chapter 2 – Ninja Gaiden 2 Black
There aretwo Life of the Godsandone Lives of the Thousand GodsinNinja Gaiden 2 BlackChapter 2: Castle of the Dragon.
Life of the Gods 3:
You’ll be attacked by dogs after exiting the graveyard that starts the level. After defeating the dogs, look in the opposite direction of the main path, and you’ll see a bridge. Head to the end of the bridge to find the chest that contains thethird Life of the Gods.
Lives of the Thousand Gods 2:
The second Lives of the Thousand Gods inNG2Bis located just past the chamber with the massive golden dragon head statue. Go through the statue’s mouth, then out the hole in the wall after saving. Make your way up the roof and back into the building through the next hole in the wall. You’ll find yourself on a wooden platform that lines the wall of the entire chamber. Walk around the platform, and you’ll find a chest containing thesecond Lives of the Thousand Gods inNinja Gaiden 2 Black.
Life of the Gods 4:
The fourth Life of the Gods – and final max health upgrade in chapter 2 – is located just after collecting the previous Lives of the Thousand Gods. Head up the stairs from the first level after re-entering the building. Instead of going straight at the top of the stairs, immediately turn around and walk to the end of the path, where you’ll find a dead body just before the pile of burning debris that forms a dead-end. Interact with the body to pick up Life of the Gods 4.
All Max Health Upgrades in Chapter 3 – Ninja Gaiden 2 Black
InNinja Gaiden 2 BlackChapter 3: Thunderclap of Catastrophe, you will findone Lives of the Thousand Gods, andone Life of the Gods.
Lives of the Thousand Gods 3:
After reaching the second save point statue in the underground/sewer area, you’ll come to a section where you need to hang from a pole while crossing over sections of ground that are completely missing. After jumping on the first pole, you’ll see that there is a small, isolated section of ground on the left. Instead of continuing to move forward, use the pole to swing yourself to the platform, where you’ll find the third Lives of the Thousand Gods in a chest.
Life of the Gods 5:
Near the end of the level, just before you jump down into the subway area, you’ll encounter the final save point. Turn around from the save point, and you’ll see a chest on a rock platform across a small gap. There is a brick wall section that you can wall run to reach the chest and collectLife of the Gods 5.
All Max Health Upgrades in Ninja Gaiden 2 Black Chapter 4
There aretwo Life of the Godsandone Lives of the Thousand GodsinNinja Gaiden 2 BlackChapter 4: A Captive Goddess.
Life of the Gods 6:
After reaching the second save point, climb up the ladder and walk along the freeway until you reach the second Crystal Skull in Chapter 4, on the ledge to the right of the freeway. Jump to the ledge, then drop to street level. Walk to the edge of the area, where you’ll find the chest that containsLife of the Gods 6next to a Muramasa Shop.
Lives of the Thousand Gods 4:
When you reach the upper level of the base of the Statue of Liberty, you’ll find a chamber with an elevator that you wall-jump up. Before going up the elevator, you’ll find the fourth Lives of the Thousand Gods in one of the alcoves with closed doors behind the elevator.
Life of the Gods 7:
The final Life of the Gods in Chapter 4 is found on the level above the top of the elevator shaft at the base of the Statue of Liberty. After wall jumping to the top of the elevator shaft, climb the first flight of stairs, then head out through the open door to find the chest containingLife of the Gods 7on the balcony.
All Max Health Upgrades in Ninja Gaiden 2 Black Chapter 6
There aretwo Life of the Godsandone Lives of the Thousand GodsinNinja Gaiden 2 BlackChapter 6: The Aqua Capital.
Life of the Gods 8:
This first Life of the Gods in Chapter 6 will come a fair way into the level. While following the main path, you’ll eventually come to a section where you must lower a large bridge using your bow to shoot two targets across a canal. Once the bridge has been lowered, use the boxes next to you to reach the railings that will allow you to cross the opposite platform. There, you’ll find the chest that containsLife of the Gods 8.
Lives of the Thousand Gods 5:
Immediately after collecting Life of the Gods 8, drop into the water below head towards the massive water wheels far across the water. Head to the platform to the left of the water wheels, and use the poles on the wheel to hang from, then swing to the platform higher up the building.
Next, run along the top of the next wheel, then jump to the gear. There is an entrance into the building you’ll see while on top of the gear. Once inside the building, you’ll see that there is a spinning rail hanging from the roof. Hang onto the rail and let it take you to the platform on the opposite side of the room. The chest that contains Lives of the Thousand Gods 5 is clearly seen on that final platform.
Life of the Gods 9:
The final Life of the Gods in Chapter 6 is near the very end of the level. After making your way through the Wine Cellar, you’ll break through a wooden barrier and fall down to underground ruins. At the end of the first section, you swim through a long tunnel and come up into a massive underground chamber.
As soon as you come up for air after swimming through the tunnel, run across the water towards the left side of the chamber. You’ll see a small rectangular area perfectly sectioned off with pillars. Dive below the water, and you’ll find the chest that contains Life of the Gods 9 near the rock wall.
There isone Life of the GodsinChapter 7: The Lyncanthopes' Castle.
Life of the Gods 10:
The only Life of the Gods found in Chapter 7 is located in the kitchen area. You find this location after you swing through the stained-glass window and drop into the cathedral. After defeating all the enemies, exit the cathedral and go through the only door, which will drop you into the kitchen. Defeat the werewolves, then turn left into the room with all the barrels. In the rear corner of the room, you’ll see that two barrels are blocking the chest that contains Life of the Gods 10.
All Max Health Upgrades in Ninja Gaiden 2 Black Chapter 9
There are three max health upgrades altogether inNinja Gaiden Black 2Chapter 9: The Flying Fortress Daedalus.Two Life of the Gods, andone Lives of the Thousand Gods.
Life of the Gods 11:
After you reach the first save point, you’ll enter the room with the D 1-4 and D 1-5 markings, which contains two chests. Exit that room, and you’ll enter the D 1-7 chamber, with a walkway that runs along the upper floor. Follow the walkway all the way around the end, past the door that leads you further into the plane. At the very end of the walkway, you’ll find the chest that containsLife of the Gods 11.
Life of the Gods 12:
From the second save point in Chapter 9, which is found in the cockpit area, make your way out and through the door that was previously locked at the other end of the chamber. Inside, you’ll find a large missile storage unit.
Head around the left side of the storage unit to find the chest that containsLife of the Gods 12.
Lives of the Thousand Gods 6:
After the third save point, in the small room with the Muramasa Shop, you will soon take an elevator after fighting in a small barracks chamber. After exiting the elevator, turn right and use the ladder.
At the top of the ladder, turn around and you’ll see two chests. The far chest containsLives of the Thousand Gods 6.
All Max Health Upgrades in Ninja Gaiden 2 Black Chapter 10
InNinja Gaiden 2 BlackChapter 10: Submit, or Die!there are three max health upgrades in total.One Lives of the Thousand Gods, andtwo Life of the Gods.
Lives of the Thousand Gods 7:
Chapter 10’sLives of the Thousand Gods 7is very hard to miss. After the mined streets, you’ll reach save point 2. From there, you’ll enter a large building. As soon as you enter, you’ll see a chest just after the large tile image on the floor.
Life of the Gods 13:
Life of the Gods 13is found just after Lives of the Thousand Gods 7. After wall-running up to the second floor of the church, you’ll see a large chamber with two bells and an open, circular area in the center. There is a metal rail above the center that you can jump to. Hang on the rail and swing to the ledge behind the bell that was on the left.
Behind the bell, you’ll find the chest that contains Life of the Gods 13.
Life of the Gods 14:
Life of the Gods 14is found in the prison area just after the mid-level boss fight. Enter the building through the hole in the wall, then drop into the cell area. Make your way down past the first block of cells, and the ghost fish. After going down a small set of stairs, look for an open cell on the right with a dead body inside. Examine the body to find the item.
All Max Health Upgrades in Ninja Gaiden 2 Black Chapter 12
There isone Life of the Godsmax health upgrade inChapter 12: Heart of Darkness.
Life of the Gods 15:
Life of the Gods 15is found early in chapter 12, in the larger lake area with two spotlights. In the center of the lake, there is a small group of buildings built up on docks. Run across the water to reach this location.
After you defeat the enemies, head up the stairs directly behind the central hut. You’ll find Life of the Gods 15 in the first hut at the top of the stairs.
All Max Health Upgrades in Ninja Gaiden 2 Black Chapter 13
There isone Life of the Godsmax health upgrade in Chapter 13: The Temple of Sacrifice.
Life of the Gods 16:
Life of the Gods 16is found very early in chapter 13. If you follow the main path through the first few groups of enemies, you’ll come to a point where you see a small path that leads down to a chest on the right side of the path. The main path continues forward, with a wall-run section that leads over the area with the chest.
If you follow the path down to the chest, you’ll see that there is a second chest, closer to the rock wall. Open this second chest to find Life of the Gods 16.
All Max Health Upgrades in Ninja Gaiden 2 Black Chapter 14
There are three max health upgrades inNinja Gaiden 2 BlackChapter 14: A Tempered Gravestone. There aretwo Life of the Gods, andone Lives of the Thousand Gods.
Lives of the Thousand Gods 8:
The final Lives of the Thousand Gods is found immediately after you pass through the small swimming section and tall grass. When you emerge from this section, you’ll find yourself at the base of a large structure. There is a cave at the bottom of the building that you want to enter.
Once you enter the cave, make your way to the back. There, you want to open the chest on the left side of the walls beneath a wall-mounted brazier. There, you’ll findLives of the Thousand Gods 8.
Life of the Gods 17:
After collecting Lives of the Thousand Gods 8 in the cave, make your way through the fortress above the cave. Go all the way through until you reach the exit and see daylight.
As soon as you make it outside, turn left. You’ll have to fight several ninja first, but once you get rid of them, you’ll want to jump into the hole in the ground. At the bottom of the hole, you’ll findLife of the Gods 17on a dead body.
Life of the Gods 18:
Thefinal Life of the Godsis found in the same massive arena where you fightBlack Spider Tengu (Red).The item is found on a dead body far up on the right side, near the edge of the arena. You’ll see a chest out in the open, and the dead body is located just beyond that.
Head left from the chest, and make sure to look carefully, as the body that containsLife of the Gods 18can be difficult to spot.
