Is Ninja Gaiden 4 a Return to Brutal, High-Speed Action?

In a recent interview, producer and director Masakazu Hirayama didn’t mince words. He acknowledged that since the last Ninja Gaiden game, “Soulslikes have kind of taken center stage.” This admission is huge, especially coming from Team Ninja, the very studio that gave us Soulslike hits like Nioh and Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty. It’s like they helped create the very beast that devoured their own genre, and now they’re back to slay it.

Hirayama made it crystal clear: “Ninja Gaiden is about having high-speed, pure action gameplay. So we are going against the trend in that way.”

This is music to the ears of anyone who grew up with classic 3D slashers. The industry seemed to forget that sometimes, players want to feel like a blur of steel, an unstoppable force of nature, not a fragile survivor carefully managing their resources. It’s about the thrill of a perfectly executed combo, not the relief of surviving another encounter.

What Does This Mean for Difficulty?

If you’ve played a Ninja Gaiden game, you know the series is legendary for its brutal difficulty. It’s a challenge that demands precision, reflexes, and a willingness to learn from your (many, many) deaths. With the trend toward more accessible games, will Ninja Gaiden 4 soften its edge?

Absolutely not.

Director Yuji Nakao has promised the game “goes in the complete opposite direction” of the trend toward easier games. The core theme is “adversity,” and the infamous Master Ninja mode is making a comeback, complete with one-hit kills and enemy swarms that will push you to your absolute limit. It’s not about being unfair; it’s about providing a challenge that feels immensely rewarding to overcome. The focus is on that heart-pounding, tingling feeling of a battle on the edge of a razor.

A New Hero and a Cyberpunk World

While the spirit of classic Ninja Gaiden is alive and well, the new entry isn’t just a nostalgia trip. Players will step into the shoes of a new protagonist, Yakumo, a prodigy from the rival Raven clan. Don’t worry, our beloved Ryu Hayabusa isn’t gone for good. The legendary Dragon Ninja will return in key chapters, acting as a mentor to Yakumo. It’s a fresh take that respects the past while paving the way for a new story.

This new chapter unfolds in a rain-drenched, near-future Tokyo. This cyberpunk setting offers a fantastic blend of vintage and futuristic aesthetics, a haunting backdrop for the return of the Dark Dragon.

Why We’re Hyped for Ninja Gaiden 4

Team Ninja is teaming up with PlatinumGames (Bayonetta, NieR: Automata) for this sequel, a partnership that feels like a dream come true for action fans. This collaboration signals a serious commitment to fast, flashy, and responsive combat. PlatinumGames knows how to create a spectacle and make players feel powerful without sacrificing depth.

Everything we’ve heard points to a game that’s a true evolution of the genre, not just a rehash. The emphasis is on immediate, satisfying gameplay that feels incredible the moment you pick up the controller.

After a 13-year hiatus, Ninja Gaiden 4 is poised to be more than just a new game. It’s a statement. It’s a love letter to the golden age of action games and a bold rejection of modern trends. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the most fun you can have is by becoming a whirlwind of destruction.

Mark your calendars for October 21, 2025. The wait is almost over.

For more gaming content, visit Total Apex Gaming