As announced in the Xbox Games Showcase 2025, we are finally getting a mainstream Ninja Gaiden 4 after a huge gap of 13 years. This classic hack-and-slash experience promises to deliver next-level action sequences, setting a bar for all the upcoming action games.
According to the producer Yuji Nakao, the core idea of this upcoming Ninja Gaiden game is to challenge the players by putting them in formidable situations. Hence, giving them a sense of accomplishment without being too overwhelmed. In short, we can say that Team Ninja is going one step ahead with a fresh take on modern action games, prioritizing difficulty over accessibility.
Ninja Gaiden 4 forces you to get good or get wrecked
Unlike a plethora of modern action games, where difficulty exists mostly during boss fights, Ninja Gaiden 4 chooses a different path. In this game, the protagonist “Yakumo” will go through intense challenges from the beginning of the game. Apart from crazy boss fights and never-ending mob encounters, this experience also features a new traversal feature using rails and wires.
With that being said, adversity is going to be a defining element. Adding to this, the producer Yuji Nakao says:
Adversity is a key concept for this game. From the beginning to the end of each stage and even in the transitions between, everything is designed to represent adversity for Yakumo. To maintain the tension throughout, we’ve added high-speed elements like rail and wire-based actions to keep up the sense of challenge.
Nakao promises that their upcoming project stands out from modern action games that create a sense of unfairness. Meaning, you may not need to upgrade to a high-stat gear or equip a divine weapon to defeat bosses. In Ninja Gaiden 4, the outcome of the ultimate showdown completely depends on your skills, which you will develop over time by playing the game.
The developers have clearly stated that the enemies in this game are going to play both defensive and offensive maneuvers. That being said, you will also have to dramatically shift between your playstyle to put down the enemies. Quite literally, even a brutal game like Devil May Cry may feel less brutal than Ninja Gaiden 4.
Even the developers are aware of this fact, as they say the following about the game:
When PlatinumGames speaks to Team Ninja about this next Ninja Gaiden, we often joke that ‘we’ve made something that really doesn’t feel like a modern game—it’s just too hard.’ These days, games are trending toward being easier to play, but Ninja Gaiden 4 goes in the complete opposite direction. So don’t lose heart!
From the moment you step foot in the cyberpunk-type Tokyo in this game, you will feel a new type of Gaiden experience. The world has become more expansive, immersive, and detailed to keep up with the user experience. In short, everything is going to add up, so you can feel the intensity of the blood-drenched environment.
Things we know about Ninja Gaiden 4 so far
Team Ninja and PlatinumGames’ collaborative creation is all set to release on October 21, 2025. It will be available on platforms like PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S. Those who have access to the Game Pass will be able to enjoy the adventures of Yakumo on its release date.
Ninja Gaiden 4 features a new protagonist called Yakumo, who’s on a quest to defeat the main antagonist, Dark Dragon. With this antagonist’s evil presence, the entire city of Tokyo is bathed in blood rain. In such unsettling conditions, you will have to take down bosses one after another until you reach the Dark Dragon’s fortress and defeat it for good.
All the longtime fans of this series, you don’t have to be disappointed. The main protagonist from the Ninja Gaiden games, master ninja Ryu Hayabusa, will appear throughout the game as a growth milestone for Yakumo. Some sequences in this game will also make Ryu Hayabusa a playable character.
With such a strong and gore-filled title being introduced, it’s pretty clear that Xbox won’t miss the absence of Bloodborne anymore.
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