Ninja Gaiden is finally back. More than a decade after its poorly received predecessor, Ninja Gaiden 4 is now right around the corner, and it’s looking like it will be exactly what fans have been waiting for. The series is known for its brutal and rewarding combat, and based on my time with the demo at Gamescom, this new one will uphold that legacy.
The combat feels sharp and fluid, the kind that becomes more intuitive the longer you spend with it, but even with limited time, the swordplay and movement are second-nature.
Admittedly, I failed miserably to beat the boss available in my session, but each attempt felt like progress. Instead of being frustrating, every defeat pushed me to improve, just as past Ninja Gaiden games demanded from their players.
Visually, the stage I played had a modern cyberpunk edge, rain-soaked and neon-drenched – it looked strikingly similar to Ghostrunner. It gave the action a different look, but everything still felt unmistakably Ninja Gaiden. Fans will also notice familiar touches, with Ryu Hayabusa still present and playable, but the spotlight shifts to a new protagonist, Yakumo, a prodigy tied to Ryu’s legacy.
A story trailer for Ninja Gaiden 4 was also revealed as part of the Gamescom 2025 presentation.
For long-time players, this is a continuation of the punishing but fair challenge that defined the series in its heyday, while newcomers will have adjustable difficulty and customization options to ease their way in.
Based on my time with it, Ninja Gaiden 4 has been refined for the cutting-edge generation of gaming, but existing fans shouldn’t fear that it’s strayed off course. It’s what you know and love, just with a cyberpunk paint job and new main character. When it arrives this October, it will doubtlessly deliver the kind of high-octane action that made Ninja Gaiden a legend in the first place.
Ninja Gaiden 4 is set to launch on October 21, 2025, for Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC, with day-one access on Game Pass.
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