Ninja Gaiden 4 Revival Redefines Fast-Paced Action

PlatinumGames developed Ninja Gaiden 4 under the guidance of Team Ninja. Additionally, definitive judgments about the sequel’s place within the franchise hierarchy were prevented in a mere 25-minute preview session. Nevertheless, the quintessential feeling of controlling a supremely skilled, lethal ninja while presenting a significant challenge was successfully evoked from this brief exposure. According to both PlatinumGames producer and director Yuji Nakao, modernizing the high-speed experience while preserving the core identity of the franchise consciously positions the game against the soulslike trend.

Consequently, both PlatinumGames and Team Ninja have captured the exhilarating essence that defines the series. Given these early impressions, fans can expect a refreshing and potent alternative action experience for 2025. During Chapter 1 of Ninja Gaiden 4, which effectively serves as the opening campaign segment following a brief tutorial introduction, the player controls young Raven Clan member Yakumo.

The Absence of the Series’ Protagonist

After the infamously poorly received Ninja Gaiden 3, this section unfolds in a near-future Tokyo and is chronologically positioned well, coinciding with the resurgence of the Dark Dragon. While the series protagonist, Ryu Hayabusa, wasn’t featured in the demo session, the game still generated significant anticipation for future opportunities to play as the iconic ninja. With this initial focus on Yakumo effectively introduce new players to the game’s core mechanics, can the game also satisfy series veterans?

Controlling Yakumo delivered substantial enjoyment throughout the preview, with the character’s unique abilities and playstyle providing a highly engaging experience. Even without Ninja Gaiden‘s central figure, the game’s capacity for compelling action is still prevalent. Within the game’s new narrative context, Yakumo’s segment successfully captured the high-speed, stylish combat foundational to the franchise’s identity.

Retooling Combat Mechanics for Modern Audiences

Despite Ninja Gaiden 4‘s introduction of several new mechanics demanding mastery, its core combat flow can be immediately recognized by series veterans. Specifically, players must tap the right trigger at precisely the right moment to block incoming attacks and enable devastating counters. Moreover, low-level foes can still be effectively decapitated by executing swift wall-runs followed by a Y-button press.

The familiar strategic layer of collecting Blood Essence remains intact; it apparently replaces Ninpo for Yakumo. Players are given the ability to power an Ultimate Technique against surviving enemies, holding Y while standing near uncollected essence from previous kills. However, whether this blend of classic execution and fresh systems maintains the series’ signature depth while feeling modern remains to be seen.

Notably, the necessity for tactical stealth assassinations in Ninja Gaiden 4 also persists whenever the opportunity arises, with the fundamental rhythm of high-speed, precision-based combat feeling instantly recognizable. As a result of these combat mechanics, players are anchored within the intense action even as they adapt to new nuances. For returning fans, this combination of legacy techniques and carefully integrated innovations only solidifies the experience.

Franchise Return During Year of the Ninja

Ultimately, the Ninja Gaiden 4 preview session created exceptionally high expectations. That said, PlatinumGames and Team Ninja failing to meet these standards would have drawn vocal criticism given fans’ two-decade investment in the series. Fortunately, developers are making progress toward a successful revival, which early impressions strongly indicated. Despite these stakes, those who played the demo greatly enjoyed it, with overwhelming support. The game blends its demanding combat speed with a compelling sense of style to successfully create an intensely addictive core loop. As ninja-themed action games have made a remarkable resurgence, fans are promised a worthy successor when the new game releases on October 21.