Ninja Gaiden 4 Review: A Brutal, Stylish Comeback for the Legendary Ninja
The legendary ninja action series is back. Ninja Gaiden 4, developed by Team Ninja together with PlatinumGames, and published by Xbox Game Studios, launched on October 21, 2025, for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. If you’re a fan of high-speed sword combat, gore, and tough enemies, this one might just deliver. But it’s not perfect.
Here’s a breakdown of what works, what doesn’t, and whether it’s worth your time.
What’s New, What’s Familiar
What remains classic:
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You still play as a ninja, slicing enemies. The series’s signature moves, like the Izuna Drop return.
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Fast-paced hack-and-slash battles remain the heart of the gameplay. Reviewers say this is a pure action game.
What’s new:
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A new protagonist, Yakumo of the Raven clan, joins the series’ staple hero Ryu Hayabusa.
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A fresh “Bloodraven Form” mechanic accepts your blood-energy to unleash powerful attacks and combos. This adds new depth.
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Visual and performance upgrades: the game supports high frame rates, stunning effects, and a futuristic Tokyo setting mixed with fantasy demons.
So if you loved older Ninja Gaiden games, you’ll feel at home, but if you were hoping for a full reboot or story overhaul, you might be a little disappointed.
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What Works Really Well
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Combat satisfaction
Many reviews highlight how tight the controls are, how satisfying the enemy takedowns feel. One says: “Combat is fast-paced, brutal, flashy, and engaging.” The joy of chaining moves and mastering new weapons is real. -
Style and polish
The game looks sharp and feels smooth. The levels are varied, from neon-lit cityscapes to ancient demon-haunted ruins. Scenes are crafted with flair. -
Challenge with fairness
Historically, Ninja Gaiden has been punishing. In this installment, the devs aim for a balance: tough, but fair. One article says enemies are on “equal footing” with the player, making deaths more meaningful.
What Could Be Better
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Story and characters
While the action is strong, the narrative doesn’t shine as much. Some reviews say the story feels light, characters are less memorable. For example: “While there’s much the game could’ve done better… it just never manages to out-surf the greats that came before it.” -
Repetition & pacing
Some stages feel similar or drag a bit. The final chapters are noted as weaker in reviews. One reviewer pointed out that while the earlier sections are stellar, later on, the pace slows and design choices feel a bit tired. -
Limited innovation in structure
If you were expecting huge leaps or redesigns, you may feel underwhelmed. The core formula is still the same: kill, slash, repeat. Reviewers note that the game doesn’t break major new ground.
Who Should Play It & Who Should Wait
Go for it if you:
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Love old‐school action games with fast reactions and big combos.
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Enjoy the feel of mastering a tough game and improving over time.
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Have enjoyed past Ninja Gaiden titles or other high-skill action games.
Maybe wait if you:
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Prefer strong story, deep character development, or narrative-driven games.
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Don’t want to struggle much with difficulty or repetition.
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Want something fresh and radically new rather than a polished classic.
Final Verdict
Ninja Gaiden 4 is a strong return for the series. It brings back what fans loved: the thrill of being a ninja, the skill-based combat, the bloody spectacle. But it also doesn’t shy away from its roots: be prepared to work for your wins.
In many ways, it stands side by side with the best action games of its time. A reviewer from GamesRadar said it might be “the series’s best and a stunning return to form.” GamesRadar+ On the flip side, some parts don’t land quite as fully story and novelty take a backseat.
If you’re picking it up, think of it as a hardcore action game rather than a story adventure. Treat every fight as a test, every mistake as a lesson. And if you come out the other side with a grin and a sense of satisfaction after trudging through hordes of enemies, then you’ll know this was the one you needed.
