It’s wild how long it’s been since a new Ninja Gaiden hit. Honestly, I didn’t think it would ever come back. But here we are, and the wait? Totally worth it. Ninja Gaiden 4 brings that same intensity you remember, just sharper, faster, and more focused. Team Ninja and PlatinumGames teaming up sounded risky at first, but they somehow made it work. It feels like both studios understood exactly what made this series tick.
For fans, it’s a reunion that hits hard. For anyone new, it’s a clean entry point that doesn’t expect you to know every past game. You play as Yakumo, a young ninja from the Raven Clan, dropped into this wild futuristic Tokyo that’s tearing itself apart. He’s fast, cocky, and a little rough around the edges. The mission he gets pulled into feels classic Gaiden: chaos, blades, blood, and that old sense of “I might actually die here” creeping back in.
It’s fast and grounded, maybe even more than I expected. Feels closer to the Xbox days, just updated for modernizing gaming. And I like that it doesn’t try to reinvent what worked before. You can tell right away Ninja Gaiden 4 is here to prove a point: there’s still power in that old-school action feel.
Ninja Gaiden 4 details
Platform(s): PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC
Developer(s): Team Ninja and PlatinumGames
Publisher(s): Xbox Game Studios
Genre: Action-adventure, hack and slash
Modes: Single-player
ESRB Rating: M (Mature 17+)
Legends and new blood
As for the story, no spoilers, I promise. Ninja Gaiden 4 wastes no time throwing you into it. Tokyo’s a mess: neon lights, rain, old curses, broken tech. It looks alive but hollow at the same time. It feels like the perfect place for something bad to crawl out of.
You play as Yakumo, who’s part of the Raven Clan. He’s got drive but doesn’t always know where to point it. What starts off as a simple job, of course, turns into something way bigger. Watching him grow from a skilled fighter into someone who actually gets what he’s fighting for works. He’s not Ryu Hayabusa, and that’s fine. The game doesn’t try to pretend he is.
Ryu’s here too, though, and those moments hit. Seeing him again gave me that nostalgic buzz without feeling like fan service. If you’ve played the old games, you’ll grin a few times. If not, you’ll still keep up.
What I liked most is how smooth the story moves. Cutscenes blend right into fights with no downtime. It’s less about big twists and more about rhythm. One second you’re watching, the next second you’re dodging for your life. That’s Ninja Gaiden through and through.
Precision in motion
Alright, here’s where it gets good. The combat? Brutal, clean, and fast. The kind of fast that makes you lean forward without realizing it. Team Ninja and PlatinumGames really nailed the mix; you can feel both studios in the design. Every swing, every dodge, every tiny mistake matters. There’s no mashing here. You actually learn how to play.
Yakumo’s Bloodraven Form adds something fresh, giving fights this cool tempo shift where you go from calm to chaos in a heartbeat. It rewards aggression but punishes sloppiness. Then you swap to Ryu later, and man, it’s like putting on an old glove: heavier, deliberate, still deadly. Both feel great in their own way.
Weapons feel meaningful too. The dual blades slice fast, the spear hits hard, the staff crushes groups, and you’ll switch between them mid-fight without missing a beat. I had this one boss that completely shut me down until I finally stopped repeating the same combo, switched weapons mid-swing, and cracked its guard. I actually yelled. That kind of payoff never gets old.
Enemies hit hard, sure, but fair. Tight spaces, too many enemies, you’ll notice it. But you deal with it and move on. Hero Mode gives newer gamers a chance to breathe, while Master Ninja feels like punishment from the gods. It’s the right balance. Feels fair. Feels earned.
Clean, confident, and relentless
Ninja Gaiden 4 looks clean and plays smoother than I expected. Every move lands sharp, every slash easy to read. You always know what’s happening, even in total chaos. That’s rare. Performance-wise, the 60 FPS mode is solid, but the 120 FPS option? Different game. Once I switched, I never looked back. I’ve always picked frame rate over visuals, and here, it’s a no-brainer. Fights just feel better when every motion connects instantly.
Visually, the mix of glowing streets and ruined temples works well. The city looks alive, but you can tell it’s falling apart underneath. It’s not the flashiest game out there, but it knows what it’s doing. Lighting hits at the right moments, and the character designs keep your eyes on the action.
The camera struggles sometimes, mostly in big fights. It doesn’t ruin your enjoyment, though. Same with small frame dips; blink and they’re gone. You can tell Team Ninja and PlatinumGames cared about performance first. Watching a long combo chain unfold at 120 FPS reminded me exactly why these games always looked best in motion. Static screenshots don’t do it justice.
Ninja Gaiden 4 delivers a sharp comeback
When the credits rolled, I actually sat there for a second, controller still in hand. It’s been a long time since a game hit that mix of exhaustion and satisfaction for me. Ninja Gaiden 4 brings that feeling back.
For longtime fans, it’s everything you wanted: brutal, technical, and fast. For new fans, it’s a challenge that feels fair once you learn the flow. Yakumo and Ryu both matter in their own ways. Yakumo’s style feels fresh and snappy. Ryu’s slow and precise, like he’s been waiting for this rematch for years. Together, they make it all click.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Combat feels fast, precise, and rewarding. | The camera struggles in tight or crowded areas. |
| Both Yakumo and Ryu offer distinct, satisfying playstyles. | Story moments can feel rushed or underdeveloped. |
| The challenge feels tough but fair throughout. | Occasional frame dips appear during heavy effects. |
| It brings back classic action-game energy without feeling outdated. |
I kept replaying missions just to land combos cleaner or survive without damage. That’s how I know they nailed it. A few quirks are still there; the camera slips, and a few fights get messy. But you forgive it because the action’s just that good.
Overall assessment of Ninja Gaiden 4
Gameplay: 4.5/5
Graphics: 4/5
Sound: 4/5
Lasting appeal/Replayability: 4.5/5
Overall rating: 4.2/5 (84%)
Ninja Gaiden 4 doesn’t just bring the series back. It proves the genre still has a place for speed, skill, and pure chaos. If you’ve missed that kind of fight, this one’s worth every swing.
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