Reviewers are buzzing about Ninja Gaiden 4. The game looks amazing, and it’s a reminder of what true, high-stakes action felt like. It’s being sold as a return to the fast-paced, intensely rewarding combat of the originals. Set for release on October 21, 2025 for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC (with day-one access via Game Pass) the game stars Yakumo, with Ryu Hayabusa returning as a playable character.
What Makes It Feel “Classic”?
Unlike the slow, methodical rhythm of Soulslikes, Ninja Gaiden 4 insists on speed, precision, and combo mastery. The combat is unapologetically demanding with twisting offense and defense together in a dance of parries, counters, and timing that prioritizes player skill over padding.
What’s New and How Does It Evolve?
PlatinumGames helps modernize the formula without losing the series’ identity. The addition of Yakumo and mechanics like Bloodraven Form or Berserk State layer new depth over the combo-heavy foundation . Combat is overstuffed with charged attacks, transformations mid-combo, fierce boss battles but always grounded in that classic, punishing style.
Why Now? Why This Game?
With the Soulslike wave dominating recent years, many players hunger for more arcade-style aggression and visceral thrills. Producer Yuji Nakao openly said they’re leaning into the challenge (“it doesn’t feel like a modern game … it’s just too hard”) to offer something that cuts through current trends . In short, Ninja Gaiden 4 is a defiant throwback and a statement.
What Could It Mean for the Genre?
If it delivers on its promise, Ninja Gaiden 4 might do more than succeed. It could inspire a successful return to high-octane action. It could remind both players and developers why old-school intensity matters. It might rekindle interest in hard, stylish slasher games beyond Souls-style formulas.
Ninja Gaiden 4 is shaping up to answer one central question: can a new game ignite the fire of old-school action once more? With brutal difficulty, slick combos, and modern polish from PlatinumGames, it feels like a genuine return to form. Bold, electrifying, and unapologetically unforgiving. If it lands as hoped, it won’t just revive a franchise, it could reawaken a genre.
