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Forbes
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
‘Ninja Gaiden 4' Preview: Sliced, Diced And Ready For Action
Ninjas are dominating 2025, aren't they? We sliced and diced our way through Assassin's Creed Shadows back in March and before August is done, the Shinobi series is set to return with Art of Vengeance. However, later this year the granddaddy of all ninja games is being revived; I'm talking, of course, about Ninja Gaiden 4. It'll be 12 years since the last in Koei Tecmo's action series was released (naturally excluding July's 2D Ninja Gaiden Ragebound as that was made by The Game Kitchen and Dotemu) when it lands on October 21 2025. Longtime developer Team Ninja is also back with Ninja Gaiden 4 and its joined by Platinum Games this time around. It's a partnership that's working. I know that because I've already spent a couple of hours playing the game. Spoiler - it's exactly what you'd want from a contemporary entry in this franchise. My preview began on a cargo train that is hurtling through a tunnel. Series protagonist, Ryu Hayabusa, was only mentioned in passing during my playthrough. Instead, I took up the role of newcomer, Yakumo, a member of the Raven Clan who has been dispatched to infiltrate a secure unit and assassinate a prisoner. Things go awry and he's left unsure of who to trust. The initial chunk of the demo was spent re-learning the game's fundamentals. There's the typical mixture of light and heavy attacks which lead to ultra-violent combos and executions. Then there's Yakumo's supernatural ability to take on a more defensive stance which is slower than the standard action but it comes with the chance of dishing out higher levels of damage. FEATURED | Frase ByForbes™ Unscramble The Anagram To Reveal The Phrase Pinpoint By Linkedin Guess The Category Queens By Linkedin Crown Each Region Crossclimb By Linkedin Unlock A Trivia Ladder All of this was played in Performance mode (which I chose above Quality) and there were no technical issues. The action is relentlessly fast and slick. There's a constant emphasis on forward momentum; you're thrust into bloody bouts consistently as you make your way through each zone. There are opportunities to slow down, however. After you meet a certain character, you're intermittently given the chance to enter a training arena where you can hone your skills. The combat feels deeper and more layered in Ninja Gaiden 4 and so I welcomed these moments to fiddle with the moves and abilities I wanted to use the most, thus defining my own sadistic fighting style. I also spent some time with Trials, an arcade-like mode that lets you replay parts of the story, taking on enemies and bosses to earn points (that'll help you climb a leaderboard) and in-game currency. Back to the story - eventually, that train bursts out of the tunnel and Yakumo is soaked in the light of a bright moon. This is where the preview really wowed me. Looming on the horizon above him is the remnants of a dystopian Tokyo that looks grimy and undeniably pretty in equal measure. Once given the chance to explore it, the visuals beam. Neon lights reflect off of the rain-drenched streets. Blood splatters across the screen as Yakumo flips around between enemies. From the first couple of hours, it's clear that Ninja Gaiden 4 is going to be a visual spectacle with stylish action, as expected. It also lives up to the immensely challenging nature of its predecessors, although the difficulty can be toned down a notch. It'll appease FromSoftware aficionados who are a glutton for punishing games. Meanwhile, those who feel alienated by the toughness of modern action titles like Elden Ring and Dark Souls will find their place in this series.
Hans India
08-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Ninja Gaiden 4 – Last Preview Before Launch
The anticipation is at an all-time high in the days as Ninja Gaiden 4 will be released on October 21, 2025 Ninja Gaiden 4 release. The game was developed through Team Ninja and PlatinumGames, this action-adventure title hack-and-slash game could be a pivotal moment for the franchise. Ninja Gaiden 4 is both an exciting re-invention and an authentic rebirth of the original style. Set in a sweltering rain-soaked and cyberpunk-infused Tokyo, Ninja Gaiden 4 gameplay will take players to an alternate reality in which there is a Dark Dragon resurfaces to wreck destruction. It introduces the new hero, Yakumo, a gifted ninja of the Raven Clan wielding a haunting "Bloodraven Form" with a visceral power of takedown. In addition, the returning protagonist Ryu Hayabusa is a playable character throughout, acting as the ally of Ryu Hayabusa and a formidable reference. Gameplay is focused on rapid, fluid combat that evokes the speed of the glory days of the franchise. It incorporates iconic moves like Izuna Drop as well as Flying Swallow into the mix and dynamic environments that swell or grind to a halt mid the game. These Ninja Gaiden 4 features promise to refresh your Ninja Gaiden 4 action game experience by adding new layers and an enthralling spectacle. Fans have already reacted with excitement to the Ninja Gaiden 4 game review, calling the Ninja Gaiden 4 final preview a "pure action-packed dream" that conveys the excitement-filled nature that the franchise has to offer. The community's reaction reveals the fact that Ninja Gaiden 4 stands out in the midst of its predecessors for old and new fans alike. It is set to release on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC -- with a first-day launch via Xbox Game Pass -- Ninja Gaiden 4 may be a game that redefines the modern action game while paying tribute to an illustrious past.
Digital Trends
07-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Digital Trends
Ninja Gaiden 4 brought me back to an era of action games I thought was dead
When I jumped into Ninja Gaiden 2 Black at the top of this year, the prevailing thought in my mind was 'Boy, they don't make 'em like this anymore.' My second thought after a rough few hours was 'maybe they shouldn't.' Action games from that era have all but vanished in the wave of soulslikes, with only Devil May Cry and anything by Platinum Games still attempting to keep that genre alive. So when I learned that it was none other than Platinum teaming up with Team Ninja on Ninja Gaiden 4, it felt like a match made in heaven. The only question was whether or not this old series could modernize itself enough to fit today's sensibilities while also keeping its core identity alive. After playing through a demo of the first hour of the game on Xbox Series X, I was reminded just how much I loved this unique taste of action game. I just hope the new protagonist isn't as much of a wet blanket in the full game. Go ninja, go ninja, go Aside from recently reviewing Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound, my only real experience with this franchise was Ninja Gaiden 2 on the Xbox 360. I never actually beat that game, only managing to get a little over halfway by learning to cheese encounters and brute-forcing my way through bosses. Going back to Black 2 reminded me of just how unforgiving those games were. If I wasn't on my guard from frame one after hitting new game, I would be ripped apart by a swarm of enemies before I even knew what the buttons did. Recommended Videos My demo of Ninja Gaiden 4 began with a short tutorial section that gave me breathing room to lock down the basics of combat. I have quick and heavy attacks, a block, dodge, and the new Bloodraven Form. The latter isn't so much a transformation like the name implies, but a modifier to my normal moves — holding down a trigger alters my normal attack at the cost of a meter that refills as I spill blood. There's a lot more than that to discover, but the game keeps things simple at first and focuses on letting me feel cool right away by giving me small waves of enemies to dismember. After getting to the first real mission of the game and encountering a raven that summons an NPC combat trainer, the depth of the combat revealed itself. This is where I was able to see every move and technique the game didn't tutorialize me on and enter a quick combat simulation to master them. Some of these techniques, especially the parry, seemed like things that should be taught more explicitly than an optional menu some players may not engage with. But there is a lot of depth to this combat system that is completely optional. I was able to gleefully improvise my way through all the regular combat encounters with whatever combo I threw out, adding in some Blood Raven attacks, and mixing in dodges, blocks, and parries, but Ninja Gaiden 4 has a skill ceiling so high I can't even see it. That became especially apparent when I got my rank at the end of the level and saw the breakdown of my score. Even knowing how basic my technique was on that first run, I still felt cool every second of the way. Mashing out combos, dismembering foes, and getting the stray perfect dodge or parry looks and feels bloody amazing. I can't sleepwalk through normal encounters, but it doesn't feel like I can't make any mistakes without losing half my health bar. Bosses are a different story. The demo concluded with one boss fight, but I was able to try out another via the extra challenge missions in the main menu. Bosses don't stagger normally so wailing on him didn't do me any good, and he hits back hard. Even on the normal difficulty, Yakumo would go down in four or five hits and I burned through my consumables in seconds. I had to completely reframe my ultra-aggressive mentality and really master my blocks, counters, and watching his animations to see when he was vulnerable to a stagger via my Bloodraven attacks. This felt closer to what a classic Platinum Games boss requires, and it felt just as satisfying to master. Oh, and Platinum's fantastic use of layered music is on full display here, with vocals kicking in dynamically as the boss changed forms. This one track wasn't quite as strong as Rules of Nature, but it still got my adrenaline going. What isn't so thrilling are the stealth elements. If you've played Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance then you know exactly how these feel. They are neither fun nor tonally consistent with every other part of the game. There are no stealth mechanics beyond a stealth kill if I manage to get up behind an enemy unaware. It feels clunky and tacked-on in a system built around speed and aggression. Thankfully, it wasn't required at any point in this demo and I could opt to go in swords blazing instead. The other downer is Yakumo himself. He's our new main protagonist and member of the Raven clan of ninjas. Ryu will be in the game as well, but was only playable in the challenges for this demo. I don't want to judge him or the story too harshly just yet since I only got one proper cutscene and a handful of radio interactions between him and his team, but every line Yakumo delivered was a drag. Not only is he dull and as deep as a puddle in terms of personality, but the direction his VO got must have been to deliver each line with the enthusiasm of a sloth on a Monday morning. He sticks out like a sore thumb when I'm engaging in some of the most high-energy action possible, executing enemies one by one, and have a cast of colorful characters in my ear to contrast with. There's a lot more hinted at in this demo, like shops to purchase new moves, additional weapons, optional missions within levels, and a slew of challenges to test your skills at and compare ranks on the online leaderboard with, but what Ninja Gaiden 4 did best to sell me on the game was its ability to let me feel as cool as I wish I could've in the old games. Fodder enemies are deadly, but as long as I am active and using all the basic parts of my toolkit, I can have a blast coating Yakumo in their blood. That first boss was a perfect test to see if I could master those moves against a less forgiving enemy. It is all refreshingly streamlined in a way that feels like a lost art. Ninja Gaiden 4 will launch on October 21 for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
Daily Mirror
07-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Ninja Gaiden 4 represents a bold, bloody and brutal return for the notoriously slick action series
After well over a decade since the last numbered entry, we go hands on with Ninja Gaiden 4 that's so far shaping up to be equal parts stylish and rewarding. After playing through Ninja Gaiden 4's first four levels, it's clear that the new protagonist and all-new abilities makes this old-school character action game one to watch for 2025. Remember when games used to be cool? Platinum Games does, hence why the legendary Japanese studio (famous for the likes of Vanquish, Bayonetta, and my beloved Astral Chain) seemed like the perfect fit to help revive the 3D incarnation of Ninja Gaiden for a new age on paper. I now know this to be fact rather than merely hypothetical, however, having been able to experience this new entry's first four stages. And surprise, surprise… The action is slick, the visuals eye-popping, but more importantly I got the immediate sense while playing that Ninja Gaiden 4 just gets it in terms of how to embody 'pure' cool. So far, after a few brief hours, this is an instalment set to satiate the hunger of old-school character action game fans everywhere – and it's so refreshing in today's climate. I knew I was in for a wild ride almost immediately after hitting the start button. The preview build kicked off right at the start of the game, with new protagonist Yakumo riding the back of a train, fending off countless baddies, speeding towards a futuristic, endlessly drenched version of Tokyo City. There are definitely worse places to set your tutorial! From here, it didn't take long for me to fall back into the rhythm of Ryu Hayabusa's classic 3D adventures, leaping about the screen, trying my best to not get hit, all while trying to deal out death in the bloodiest, goriest fashion possible. It's been 13 years since original developer Team Ninja graced us with Ninja Gaiden 3, so it was heartening to find that in all that time both it and Platinum Games haven't lost a single step when collaborating together to make 4. One thing that has changed this time around is obviously our main hero. Because while the legacy of Ryu's efforts definitely casts a long shadow on this game's events – at least from what I could tell – it was a pleasure to discover early on that this new story doesn't really require any foreknowledge of that first trilogy's events. Yakumo, as a master ninja belonging to the equally as proficient Raven clan, proves to be just as capable. Equipped with two blades referred to as Takeminkata, I was encouraged to get up in the face of my foes with a series of light and heavy attacks, trying to dismember them as fast as possible. It's when an enemy is dismembered, see, that Yakumo is able to engage an Obliterate attack, which is just as devastating as it sounds, causing the camera to swing up close to both he and his prey to show the inevitably bloody kill animation in all its gruesome glory. So destroying are most Obliterate manoeuvres, blood splattering across the literal screen is a liberatingly common sight. It's not just overt style and slickness Ninja Gaiden 4 has to fall back on, though, but lashings of substance too. Particularly when it comes to the various combat options at Yakumo's disposal. Dealing out light and heavy attacks, and throwing out shurikens to keep ranged enemies at bay, works perfectly fine. That said, doing this consistently is a surefire way to have your blood gauge fill, which when activated enables Yakumo to engage his Bloodraven form on the fly. It's at this point where your usual blades transform into a giant hulking sword. Does this slow down the pace of the action a bit? Sometimes. But it's always worth it for the ability to land slightly more damaging attacks as well as suddenly blow past enemy blocks more effortlessly. Live by the blade Between firing off shuriken at speed, slashing rival ninjas up close, and using grapple points to zip up and then bounce off walls, combat in Ninja Gaiden 4 often feels like a dance when at its best. This is a series historic for its high difficulty, though, which is here again in full force. I can't say I had too much trouble batting off the legions of opponents that have a habit of falling out of the sky, but if you don't think on your feet it's easy for them to corner you, blocking your attacks and catching you off guard – even when you try riposting at a high speed. It's in the purgatory gate side missions where a much higher level of challenge kicks in, as you're forced to contend with waves of mindless slaughter. Thankfully, they're totally optional, for those who don't want to risk breaking their controller. Also shaking things up gameplay-wise is the fact that there are different weapon loadouts to equip and try out. In my preview build this meant dipping into the Challenge mode where story chapters can be replayed mostly free of any narrative clutter, and Ninja Gaiden's OG protagonist, Ryu, makes his return with a slightly different move set. Wielding his Dragon Sword gives these new scenarios a certain nostalgic tinge, but it's really when equipping Yakumo's Rapier/Lance setup that the true flexibility of combat was hinted to me. Suddenly, with this combo equipped, 'plunge' became the go-to verb as opposed to the typical 'slash', resulting in all kinds of other ferocious kill opportunities. The sight of a giant cone blade at the end of a lance would look insane out of context, but in the arcade-like universe Ninja Gaiden 4 takes place in, it makes for a worthy and viable second weapon option. Following the recent release of Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound, I wasn't quite sure prior to getting hands on with it whether Ninja Gaiden 4 would be able to match this same bar of high quality. The truth is, it still mightn't, but my time playing through the game's first four stages indicates it's getting extremely close. The task of implementing the same level of ninja-fuelled bliss in the 3D realm is much trickier, no doubt, yet the foundation is certainly here for Team Ninja and Platinum Games to make it equally flourish. In other words, for the second time this year, Ryu Hayabusa might be absent, but his legacy firmly lives on – both in the form of new heroes, yes, but also the new studios in charge of ushering this beloved franchise to success. Perhaps, most importantly, Ninja Gaiden 4 understands the value in being an airtight character action game that's cool just as much as it is slick, shiny, and splendidly bloody. After what feels like a lifetime, with a little help from Team Ninja, it appears Platinum Games is back on top. Ninja Gaiden 4 is set to release on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox this October 21, 2025.
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Ninja Gaiden 4 devs say "Soulslikes have kind of taken center stage" since the last installment in the series, but "we are going against the trend in that way"
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. If you're anything like me, you'll no doubt be frustrated with the soulslike genre effectively putting the classic hack and slash game away for a while. Every time something like The First Berserker: Khazan shows up looking stylish as hell only for it to be a soulslike deals me psychic damage. And because of that, the announcement of Ninja Gaiden 4 was an incredibly welcome one, with the devs "going against the trend." Not only is Team Ninja (which is somewhat responsible with their soulslikes Nioh and Wo Long), returning to its premiere action series, but PlatinumGames is returning the the genre that made the studio an all-time great before it got into RPGs and live service. PlatinumGames producer Yuji Nakao recently spoke about the disappearance of the action genre, while, Team Ninja producer Masakazu Hirayama spoke about the topic at Summer Game Fest in an interview attended by GamesRadar+. "The conversation about action games has changed quite a lot since the last Ninja Gaiden game," Hirayama says, referring to 2012's Ninja Gaiden 3 (or maybe 2014's Yaiba: Ninja Gaiden Z, which we'd all like to forget, but the point still stands). He adds: "Soulslikes have kind of taken center stage." However, despite this, and despite Team Ninja's soulslike focus over the last decade, the team knew things had to be different when returning to Ninja Gaiden. "Ninja Gaiden is about having high speed, pure action gameplay. So we are going against the trend in that way." However, despite the 13-year gap (or 18 year gap, considering Ninja Gaiden 3 was kind of pants) and the change in developer, Team Ninja is certain that fans of the series will not feel lost returning to it. Hirayama says, "When you pick up the controller and you play, it has that responsiveness, that really satisfying gameplay. Right when you pick it up, it feels like an evolution. It's like, oh, this is Ninja Gaiden." Now we just need Capcom to go back to Devil May Cry. Capcom's android apocalypse Pragmata is such a genius mix of shooters and puzzle games, both of which I normally hate, and I'm starting to rethink my entire existence.
