As a devoted fan, I’d like to share some tips on enhancing Ryu’s health in Ninja Gaiden 2 Black, similar to many modern action games. Throughout the game, you’ll discover special items called Life of the Gods and Lives of the Thousand Gods. These unique items are crucial for boosting your maximum health. In this guide, I’ll help you locate all 18 Life of the Gods and all 8 Lives of the Thousand Gods in Ninja Gaiden 2 Black. Happy hunting!
Life of the Gods Health Upgrades in Chapter 1 β NInja Gaiden 2 Black
In the game Ninja Gaiden 2 Black, there exists a single story titled “Lives of the Thousand Gods” and two separate stories known as “Life of the Gods.” This is within Chapter 1, which goes by “The Way of the Ninja.
Lives of the Thousand Gods 1:
Just past the initial Statue of the Earth Dragon, you’ll come across the first volume called “Lives of the Thousand Gods.” After mastering the wall-running skill, you will then acquire the Obliteration skill and encounter three wounded adversaries within a chamber. In the same room, there’s a chest containing a boost to your maximum health upgrade.
Life of the Gods 1:
As a fan, I’d put it this way: “I discovered the first ‘Life of the Gods’ chest by soaring through the air using the Flying Bird technique, leading me to a zone filled with beautiful cherry blossom trees. After vanquishing the foes at the peak, I plunged into the channel and navigated my way towards the massive wall adorned with a drainage pipe, reminiscent of a factory.
Overcome the band of foes assailing the wall, subsequently veer left towards the waterfall’s edge. Upon reaching the edge, make another left turn and you will spot the chest nestled on a quaint balcony adjacent to the water.
Life of the Gods 2:
Following your journey past the water canal lined with cherry blossom trees, you will descend a lengthy flight of stairs near the second Crystal Skull’s spot. At the foot of these stairs, you will encounter a spacious wooden platform with two tiers. Make your way to the lower level and advance all the way to the end to discover the chest holding Life of the Gods 2.
All Max Health Upgrades in Chapter 2 β Ninja Gaiden 2 Black
In Ninja Gaiden 2 Black’s Chapter 2, titled “Castle of the Dragon”, there are two stories known as “The Lives of the Gods” and one story called “The Lives of a Thousand Gods”.
In the Castle of the Dragon chapter in Ninja Gaiden 2 Black, you’ll encounter two narratives referred to as “The Lives of the Gods” and one narrative known as “The Lives of a Thousand Gods”.
Life of the Gods 3:
As soon as you leave the graveyard at the beginning of the level, you might encounter some barking canines. After successfully subduing these dogs, look in the direction opposite the main path. There, you’ll spot a bridge. Follow the bridge to its end, and you’ll discover a chest that holds the third Divine Life.
Lives of the Thousand Gods 2:
In the game Ninja Gaiden 2 Black (NG2B), the second Life of the Thousand Gods is positioned beyond the chamber adorned with a grand golden dragon head statue. Enter through the dragon’s mouth, then exit via a hole in the wall after completing a save point. Proceed to climb onto the roof and re-enter the building using another hole in the wall. You’ll end up on a wooden platform running along the chamber’s entire perimeter. Walk around the platform, and you’ll stumble upon a chest that contains the second Life of the Thousand Gods within Ninja Gaiden 2 Black.
Life of the Gods 4:
In chapter 2, the fourth and last boost for maximum godly health can be found following the collection of the earlier Lives of the Thousand Gods. After ascending the staircase from the first floor upon re-entering the building, don’t go straight ahead at the top; instead, turn around and walk to the end of the path. You’ll encounter a deceased body near a pile of burning debris that blocks further progress. Interact with this body to obtain Life of the Gods 4.
All Max Health Upgrades in Chapter 3 β Ninja Gaiden 2 Black
In the third chapter of Ninja Gaiden 2 Black titled “Thunderclap of Catastrophe”, you can discover one Life from the Thousand Deities and one God’s Life.
Or, more colloquially:
In Chapter 3 of Ninja Gaiden 2 Black – Thunderclap of Catastrophe, you’ll come across one life given by a Thousand Gods and one life from a God.
Lives of the Thousand Gods 3:
Once you pass the second save point statue in the subterranean/sewer region, you’ll encounter an area requiring you to grasp onto a beam as you traverse gaps in the ground below. After leaping onto the initial beam, look for a small, detached patch of ground on your left side. Instead of proceeding forward, swing yourself from the beam to the platform, where you will discover the third Lives of the Thousand Gods stored inside a chest.
Life of the Gods 5:

As you approach the end of the level, right before descending into the subway region, you’ll come across the last save spot. Spin around from this save point, and you’ll notice a chest perched on a rocky platform, slightly across a narrow chasm. You can traverse a brick wall section for a wall run, which will allow you to access the chest and grab the ‘Life of the Gods 5’.
All Max Health Upgrades in Ninja Gaiden 2 Black Chapter 4
In the Chapter 4 of Ninja Gaiden 2 Black, titled “A Captive Goddess,” there are two tales known as “The Lives of the Two Gods” and one narrative called “The Lives of a Thousand Gods.”
In chapter 4 of Ninja Gaiden 2 Black, entitled “A Captive Goddess,” you’ll encounter two narratives referred to as “Stories of the Two Deities” and one storyline called “Stories of the Thousand Deities.
Life of the Gods 6:
Once I hit the second save spot, I scaled the ladder and followed the freeway until I spotted the second Crystal Skull in Chapter 4, nestled on a ledge to the right of the highway. After leaping onto that ledge, I carefully dropped down to street level. As I approached the edge of the area, I stumbled upon a chest tucked away there β inside was none other than the elusive Life of the Gods 6, sitting snugly next to a Muramasa Shop!
Lives of the Thousand Gods 4:

At the topmost part of the Statue of Liberty’s pedestal, there is a room containing an elevator. You can access this room by climbing up (or perhaps jumping off the walls if that’s your style). Before boarding the elevator, look around for one of the alcoves with shut doors. Hidden within one of these alcoves could be the fourth Life depicting the Thousand Gods.
Life of the Gods 7:
In Chapter 4, you’ll discover the final Life of the Gods one level above the highest point in the elevator shaft, located at the Statue of Liberty’s base. To reach it, jump across the walls to get to the top of the elevator shaft, then ascend the initial set of stairs. Exit through the open doorway, and you’ll find the balcony holding the chest with Life of the Gods 7.
All Max Health Upgrades in Ninja Gaiden 2 Black Chapter 6
In Chapter 6: The Aqua Capital of Ninja Gaiden 2 Black, there are two tales called Life of the Gods and one titled Lives of a Thousand Gods.
Within Ninja Gaiden 2 Black’s Chapter 6: The Aqua Capital, you’ll find two narratives named Life of the Gods and another one called Lives of the Thousand Gods.
Or even more casually, for Ninja Gaiden 2 Black’s Chapter 6 (The Aqua Capital), there are two stories titled Life of the Gods and a single one called Lives of the Thousand Gods.
Life of the Gods 8:
In Chapter 6, your journey through the Life of the Gods begins a bit further into the game. As you progress along the primary path, you’ll encounter an area where you need to lower a massive bridge by shooting two targets with your bow, over a canal. After the bridge has been lowered, boxes nearby will help you climb up to railings that enable you to cross over to the other platform. On this platform, you’ll discover a chest harboring Life of the Gods 8.
Lives of the Thousand Gods 5:
Straightaway upon obtaining Life of the Gods 8, dive into the water below, swim towards the enormous water wheels situated quite a distance away across the water. Make your way to the platform located to the left of the water wheels and utilize the poles attached to the wheel as support, then swing yourself onto the higher platform within the building using that momentum.
Afterward, move along the edge of the next wheel, then leap to the attached gear. You’ll spot an entrance into the structure while perched on the gear. Upon entering the building, you’ll discover a rotating rail suspended from the ceiling. Grab hold of the rail and allow it to carry you to the platform across the room. The chest holding Lives of the Thousand Gods 5 is easily visible on that final platform.
Life of the Gods 9:

In Chapter 6, as you approach the climax of The Life of the Gods, you’ll find yourself nearing the end of the level. After navigating through the Wine Cellar, you’ll burst through a wooden barrier and descend into subterranean ruins. Towards the close of the initial area, you’ll swim through a lengthy tunnel before emerging into an enormous underground chamber.
Immediately after surfacing from swimming through the tunnel, make your way towards the left side of the chamber by running over the water. There, you’ll spot a small, neatly partitioned area with pillars marking it out. If you dive beneath the water, you’ll discover a chest holding Life of the Gods 9 close to the rock wall.
All Max Health Upgrades in Ninja Gaiden 2 Black Chapter 7
There is one Life of the Gods in Chapter 7: The Lyncanthopes’ Castle.
Life of the Gods 10:
In Chapter 7, the unique artifact known as Life of the Gods can be found in the kitchen section. To reach this location, first, navigate through the stained-glass window and descend into the cathedral after swinging. Once you’ve defeated all adversaries within the cathedral, exit through the only available door, which will transport you to the kitchen. In the kitchen, conquer the werewolves, then veer left into a room filled with barrels. Towards the back of this room, you’ll notice that two barrels are obstructing a chest containing Life of the Gods 10.
All Max Health Upgrades in Ninja Gaiden 2 Black Chapter 9
In Chapter 9 of Ninja Gaiden Black 2, titled The Flying Fortress Daedalus, there are a total of three health upgrade options:
– Two “Lives of the Gods”
– One “Life of a Thousand Gods”
These upgrades increase your maximum health significantly, enhancing your ability to withstand damage in intense combat situations.
Life of the Gods 11:
Once you get to the first safe spot, you’ll step into a room labeled D 1-4 and D 1-5, filled with two treasure chests. Leave this room, and you’ll find yourself in the D 1-7 chamber featuring an upper-level walkway. Follow this walkway all the way around until you reach its end past the door leading deeper into the realm. At the terminus of the walkway, you’ll stumble upon a chest that holds the coveted Life of the Gods 11.
Life of the Gods 12:

Starting from the save spot in Chapter 9 located within the cockpit, proceed outside to the door at the far end of the room that was initially locked. Upon entering, you’ll discover a vast missile storage facility.

Head around the left side of the storage unit to find the chest that contains Life of the Gods 12.
Lives of the Thousand Gods 6:
Following the third safe spot, when you enter the compact room housing the Muramasa Shop, prepare for a brief battle in a tiny barracks area. Once you’ve defeated your opponents, step out of the elevator that appears, then head right and climb up the ladder.
At the peak of the ladder, if you spin around, you’ll notice there are two trunks. The one at a distance holds “The Lives of the Thousand Gods 6”.
All Max Health Upgrades in Ninja Gaiden 2 Black Chapter 10
In the tenth chapter of Ninja Gaiden 2 Black, titled “Submit, or Die!”, a grand total of three enhancements to maximum health can be found. These are referred to as “The Life of a Thousand Deities“, and there are additionally two lives granted by the Deities themselves.
Lives of the Thousand Gods 7:

In Chapter 10, you won’t be able to overlook the seventh installment of “Lives of the Thousand Gods”. Following the explosive streets, you’ll arrive at safe point number 2. After that, you’ll find yourself entering a substantial structure. Upon entry, look for a chest right after the big floor mural immediately in front of you.
Life of the Gods 13:

Following “Lives of the Thousand Gods 7,” you’ll discover “Life of the Gods 13.” After scaling walls to reach the second floor of a church, you’ll find a spacious room with two bells and an open, round space in the middle. Above this central area, there’s a metal railing you can leap onto. Grab hold of the rail and swing yourself to the ledge behind the left bell.

Behind the bell, you’ll find the chest that contains Life of the Gods 13.
Life of the Gods 14:

In the prison sector, following the mid-level boss battle, you’ll discover Life of the Gods 14. To reach it, go through the gap in the wall and descend into the cell area. Proceed past the initial row of cells and the ghost fish. After descending a short flight of stairs, search for an open cell on your right with a deceased body within. Investigate the corpse to locate the item.
All Max Health Upgrades in Ninja Gaiden 2 Black Chapter 12
There is one Life of the Gods max health upgrade in Chapter 12: Heart of Darkness.
Life of the Gods 15:

In the first chapter, you’ll discover “Life of the Gods 15” around the expansive lake region, specifically where there are two bright lights. At the heart of the lake lies a cluster of structures set upon docks. Sprint over the water to get to this spot.
Once you’ve vanquished your foes, make your way up the staircase located right behind the main hut. The first hut at the summit will contain Life of the Gods 15.
All Max Health Upgrades in Ninja Gaiden 2 Black Chapter 13
There is one Life of the Gods max health upgrade in Chapter 13: The Temple of Sacrifice.
Life of the Gods 16:
In the early chapters, specifically chapter 13, you’ll find “Life of the Gods 16”. If you stick to the primary route as you progress through the initial groupings of adversaries, you’ll eventually reach a juncture where a narrow path diverges to the right, leading to a chest. The main path proceeds further on, featuring a wall-running segment that spans the area with the chest.

Heading towards the first chest at the bottom will reveal another one nearby the rocky cliff. Uncovering this additional chest will lead you to discover Life of the Gods 16.
All Max Health Upgrades in Ninja Gaiden 2 Black Chapter 14
In Chapter 14: A Tempered Gravestone of Ninja Gaiden 2 Black, you’ll find three opportunities to boost your maximum health. Specifically, there are two instances where you can acquire the ‘Life of the Gods’, and one instance for the ‘Lives of the Thousand Gods’.
Lives of the Thousand Gods 8:

After navigating the short swimming area and tall grass, you’ll come upon a sizable construction. Exiting that section will lead you to its foot. At this point, you’ll notice a cave situated at the building’s base β it’s worth exploring.

Upon entering the cave, navigate towards its depths. You’ll notice a chest situated to the left of the walls, nestled under a wall-mounted fireplace. It is there where you will discover “Lives of the Thousand Gods 8”.
Life of the Gods 17:

Following acquiring the eighth volume of Lives of the Thousand Gods within the cave, navigate your path upwards to the castle that towers above it. Continue on this journey until you eventually find yourself at the exit, where you’ll be greeted by the sight of daylight.
Stepping outside, take a left turn. You’ll encounter several ninjas initially, but after defeating them, you’ll notice a hole in the ground. Descend into this hole and at its base, you’ll discover the book titled “Life of the Gods 17” on a corpse.
Life of the Gods 18:

In the same colossal arena where you battle the Red Black Spider Tengu lies the conclusion of the Gods’ existence. The object can be found on a corpse situated high up on the right side, close to the arena’s edge. You’ll notice an open chest further out, and the deceased body is located just beyond that.
Turn to the left from your torso, and take a closer look because the being that holds “Life of the Gods 18” might be hard to notice.
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2025-05-21 12:22