No holds barred. This is a phrase used in many wrestling matches, and even more situations in real life when the odds are stacked firmly against you. It can also be used to describe the entire experience that is the Ninja Gaiden franchise.
Since 2004, the revamped 3D action series Ninja Gaiden has been delivering high-octane, no-holds-barred action, complete with a storyline steeped in demonic cults and never-ending waves of enemies to mow down. This is all topped off by a Dark Dragon God that just won’t stay defeated, and a main character that exudes God-like confidence, Ryu Hayabusa. It has been nearly 13 years since Ninja Gaiden 3 graced consoles globally, and in the year 2025, Ninja Gaiden 4 is here.
What’s different about the newest instalment in the franchise is that it’s co-developed by Platinum Games and Team NINJA. Their collaborative effort has accomplished with the fourth instalment what the previous titles have delivered, and it’s safe to say Ninja Gaiden has returned.
Ninja Gaiden 4 brings the no-holds-barred intensity brought by the previous three titles in the franchise, complete with a new protagonist that explores the duality of good vs. evil, and a storyline that is very Ninja Gaiden. Ninja Gaiden 4 is a return to form after its nearly 13-year hiatus, bringing another fast-paced action title to the forefront of gaming. In a sea of the now-popular Souls-like and open world titles, Ninja Gaiden has never looked better.
“Ninja Gaiden 4 is a return to form after its nearly 13-year hiatus, bringing another fast-paced action title to the forefront of gaming.”
Ninja Gaiden 4 starts just like every other Gaiden with the Dark Dragon. The Dark Dragon God’s husk (defeated again by Ryu Hayabusa) has been causing intense acid rain over Tokyo, and after his defeat, the world of Gaiden is in disrepair. The defeat of the Dark Dragon left behind a colossal carcass, and the alive-seeming husk rains over Tokyo. This poisonous carcass shedding makes the city uninhabitable, and it’s a perfect setting for a ninja to stretch their legs. You take on the role of Yakumo, a young member of the Raven Clan, an up-and-comer climbing the ranks, and most certainly not Ryu Hayabusa.
After getting behind the sticks of Yakumo, it’s made abundantly clear that the collaboration between Team NINJA and Platinum Games has not staggered game design. Movements feel crisp, precise, and deliberate, making combat and traversal gameplay in Ninja Gaiden 4 the smoothest it has been since Ninja Gaiden 2. Unlike previous titles in the series, Ninja Gaiden 4 takes place under the carcass of the Dark Dragon in Tokyo, and there aren’t any other famous locations or landmarks to visit. The newly transformed Tokyo features a cyberpunk-like aesthetic with striking futuristic design choices that make everything feel larger than being contained to one city.
Yakumo’s journey has him remove seals from the Dark Dragon God to free the evil from captivity. In Ninja Gaiden 4, your force of good is seeking a way to end the reign of the Dark Dragon God for good, and as Ryu Hayabusa has proven in every adventure since, using the fang and eye of another Dragon deity (the True Dragon Sword) is not the answer to this question.
Like Devil May Cry 4, the switch out of Ryu to Yakumo is a little jarring, but Team Ninja and Platinum Games did this by design. Ryu Hayabusa is a gaming legend, so the development team wanted to introduce a fresh new face for new fans to grow alongside, and I dig it.
Unlike Ryu Hayabusa’s clean cut and calm demeanour, Yakumo sports a demonic half-Hannya mask showcasing the duality between a master ninja and one that’s still rough around the edges. These design choices show thoughtful consideration of the tribulations Ryu has faced. It also shows a stark difference between the rival Hayabusa and Raven clans.
Including such a visual contrast in main character design is an in-depth move that explores more than just ‘here’s a fresh face.’ Yakumo is a welcome addition, and instead of forcing the issue, the collaborative effort between Platinum Games and Team NINJA eases him into the narrative, giving the newcomer a group of new team members very much like Ayane, Rachel and Sonia from the trilogy before to flesh out his team.
Although the ‘main character’ of the series takes a backseat (similar to how Solid Snake rolls out the red carpet for Raiden in Metal Gear Solid 2) after the first few encounters with human enemies, there’s no mistaking that Ninja Gaiden 4 is undoubtedly a return to form for the franchise. Everything that made the high-octane action of Gaiden great returns in a new way for Gaiden 4. Yakumo comes equipped with dual-wielded katanas, and he’s able to make short work of adversaries with shinobi skill. While mid-fight, the sharp blades of Yakumo’s katanas can cleave a limb off an enemy, leaving them open for an obliteration technique.
“In Ninja Gaiden 4, the bloodier you are, the stronger you become.”
Ninja Gaiden fans will know what this means, but for those of you who don’t, an obliteration technique in Ninja Gaiden is the equivalent of the overkill present in Mortal Kombat fatalities. In Ninja Gaiden 4, one of the limbs you can sever to set up an obliteration technique is the head, so after removing an enemy’s head, you can still perform an obliteration technique in an awesome display of power. This gross overkill is exacerbated by the blood that coats Yakumo’s Gi, and while running around a stage, you’re often soaked in the viscera of many enemies.
There’s a reason behind all the bloodshed and overkill in Ninja Gaiden 4. The more you cover the ground—and Yakumo himself—with your enemies’ blood, the more you power the game’s newest mechanic: Bloodbind Ninjutsu. Unlike the Hayabusa clan, the Raven clan can use Bloodbind techniques not only to change the state of Yakumo’s weapon, but also to unleash even more destruction on the enemies you face. These combat maneuvers are not only effective, but they also add a new strategic layer that previous titles lacked. At times, I felt like a powerful hedge shredder cutting through the hordes of Gaiden.
When enemies launched an unblockable attack, I was able to quickly transform my dual katanas into a massive Bloodbind Odachi, cleaving foes with little effort. Using an obliteration technique in Bloodbind mode can split enemies straight down the middle, rapidly filling the Bloodbind gauge. In Ninja Gaiden 4, the bloodier you are, the stronger you become. The more overkill you inflict, the more effectively you can chain regular and Bloodbind moves into combos that paint the floor red.
Yakumo has a suite of weapons to dispatch enemies, and each one features a Bloodbind form that feels satisfying to wield. You can switch between them at will during combat to set up devastating combos—and even more powerful Ultimate Techniques.
All classic Ninja Gaiden moves return. Yakumo can activate Ultimate Guidance to trigger Ultimate Techniques. He can also use the flying swallow to decapitate enemies in a single sweep, and the Izuna Drop makes its comeback with brutal effect. Fans of previous titles will feel right at home with Ninja Gaiden 4, even with its new protagonist.
Ninja Gaiden 4 is at its best when the shackles are taken off the player. When hordes of enemies come at you, and you continuously cut them down with stylish combos and obliteration techniques. This increases the stage score, and just like the Ninja on screen, it’s easy for the player to become steeped in the bloodlust, hitting a rhythm of sliding from enemy to enemy, overwhelming them with powerful combinations. The development and design team took special care to break up this monotony by throwing a few curveballs into combat, making each encounter a lesson to not get comfortable.
“Ninja Gaiden 4 delivers a real sense of power.”
Enemy salad is always on the menu. A heavily armoured foe might charge in, a giant fiend could crash the party, and rocket-launching soldiers often arrive just in time to ruin the fun. It’s up to the player to stay alert during these encounters, which deliver a massive adrenaline rush. When I triumphed over the harder waves, I truly felt like a Master Ninja.
Bloodbath Kills are the ultimate technique in Ninja Gaiden 4. After entering Berserk state, Yakumo can use his arsenal to eliminate non-boss enemies in a single swing. The screen shifts to a stylized red-and-black palette to signal a successful kill, and Yakumo can keep using Bloodbath Kills until the Berserk state ends. He can also unleash a screen-clearing move at the end of this state, cleaving nearly every enemy in view. Ninja Gaiden 4 delivers a real sense of power.
This is a phenomenal return to form for the franchise after 13 years, though a few rough edges remain. Some traversal segments, like those that let Yakumo glide between areas, slow down the momentum. These sections feel clunky, and you’ll likely hit one or more walls in frustration. Thankfully, unlike my experience with the preview build, these moments are now generously stocked with checkpoints, meaning you’re rarely sent back to the beginning. While they still disrupt the pace, the final version softens the blow.
“Ninja Gaiden 4 marks a powerful return for a franchise that never should have gone silent, and fans can rest assured: this is the true way of the ninja.”
Another issue is that each stage includes a range of collectible items, yet every doorway acts as a point of no return. In other words, once you pass through a doorway, you can’t backtrack—unlike in previous titles. While Ninja Gaiden 4 encourages exploration, its score system penalizes players for taking their time. This creates a constant sense that you’re missing something, and that unease lingers throughout each stage.
Unlike Ryu Hayabusa’s Life of the Gods items in earlier games, Yakumo must collect two different items to extend his maximum health. By the end of the game, I had four of one type and none of the other. This left my health bar far lower than it should have been. If the game had simply used one item, as it did in the past, this frustration could’ve been avoided. It felt like an unnecessary complication—though it may be a minor gripe unique to me.
Ninja Gaiden 4 is a phenomenal return to a beloved franchise. Everything about it feels undeniably Ninja Gaiden—from the pulse-pounding metal soundtrack that drives you forward as you slice through enemies, to the massive, multi-phase boss fights that throw the kitchen sink at you. At a certain point in the story, fans will even get to play as the legendary Ryu Hayabusa. Taking control of the “Super Ninja” feels like coming home—like clasping an old friend you haven’t seen in years. Ninja Gaiden 4 marks a powerful return for a franchise that never should have gone silent, and fans can rest assured: this is the true way of the ninja.
