
Ninja Gaiden 4
Release Date: Q4 2025
Action, TPP, ninja, slasher, urban fantasy, Game Pass, singleplayer
The fourth installment of the popular slasher series, created by Team Ninja and PlatinumGames studios. In Ninja Gaiden 4 the main protagonist is Yakumo - a young warrior with his own combat style. Ryo Hayabusa is following his trail and he also becomes playable in some levels. One of the distinctive features of the game is the high difficulty level.
Videos and Screens
[7:17] Ninja Gaiden 4 - Game Overview
[2:58] Ninja Gaiden 4 - Announcement Trailer
Ninja Gaiden 4 Description
Ninja Gaiden 4 is the fourth main installment of the popular slasher series. Its roots date back to 1988 (however, it really spread its wings in 2004, thanks to the release of a new version of Ninja Gaiden). The game is the result of collaboration between teams specialized in this genre: Team Ninja (authors of earlier parts of the series) and PlatinumGames (studio known primarily for the best-selling Bayonetta series).
Story
Ninja Gaiden 4 is a direct continuation of the third entry in the series. The game takes us to Tokyo, where the Dark Dragon has returned, plunging the city into chaos. The main character of the game is Yakumo, a young ninja warrior from the Crow clan, competing with the Hayabusa clan. The protagonist's task is to confront the cultists of the Divine Dragon Order who worship the winged reptile, and to liberate the Japanese capital from its influence. He also has to face Ryu Hayabusa himself, the main character of the three previous installments of the series.
Even though Yakumo received the leading role here, Ryu appears throughout the whole story. From time to time, the game also allows us to take control over him.
Gameplay
In Ninja Gaiden 4 the action is viewed from a third-person perspective (TPP).
Combat system and difficulty level
As was the case in previous parts of the series, we mainly engage in dynamic clashes with opponents. We eliminate them using a katana and combat skills. Apart from regular enemies, who most often attack in groups, we also have to face powerful bosses.
On the battlefield, we must be in constant motion, blocking and parrying blows, and carefully observing our enemies. We must timely notice their weak points or gaps in defense and use that knowledge against them, for example by launching an accurate counterattack or executing an impressive combination of punches.
The situation is complicated by the fact that enemies have the same range of moves, being able to block and parry our attacks. The game provides a challenge, and while designing it, it was inspired by Ninja Gaiden II in this respect. Nonetheless, the difficulty level can be adjusted to individual preferences, making it suitable for both seasoned veterans and rookies.
Ryu Hayabusa and Yakumo differ significantly from each other in terms of fighting style. The young ninja, for example, possesses the so-called Bloodraven Form, giving him access to the Bloodbath Kill attack, which cuts through several targets in one swoop. Skillful use of this ability can immediately end a fight or at least significantly influence its course.
Dynamic exploration
Between battles, we can explore locations, among which the streets of rain-soaked Tokyo take the lead. Wanting to maintain a fast pace of gameplay, developers allow us to slide on rails and glide on inclined surfaces, as well as run on walls (horizontally or vertically). In addition, a rope with a hook is made available to us, allowing us to cross chasms.
Ninja Gaiden 4 Summary
Game Series: Ninja Gaiden
Platforms:
PC / Windows
PlayStation 5
Xbox Series X/S
Developer: Team Ninja / PlatinumGames (PC) / PlatinumGames (PS5) / PlatinumGames (XSX)
Publisher: Xbox Game Studios / Microsoft Studios
Age restrictions: 18+

Ninja Gaiden 4 emerges as big surprise of Xbox Developer Direct show. It's cyberpunk fruit of collaboration between NiOh and Bayonetta devs
A new installment of the Ninja Gaiden series has been announced. Team Ninja studio is collaborating with the developers of the Bayonetta series on it.
video games
Zuzanna Domeradzka
January 24, 2025