After over a decade of silence, Team NINJA and Ryu Hayabusa return for another blood-soaked 3D adventure with the long-awaited NINJA Gaiden 4 being announced at the latest Microsoft Developer's Conference. Not only has this incredible franchise returned, but Team NINJA has also made adjustments to their beautiful and iconic opening logo video insinuating that a storm is coming and that serious changes are on the way.
For Team NINJA and Koei Tecmo's legendary boss, Fumihiko Yasuda this is not just another game in the franchise - this is a story of redemption and a narrative of writing past wrongs with everything he had learned since NINJA Gaiden 3; a game that failed to captivate an audience like the previous Tomonobu Itagaki entries of NINJA Gaiden, NINJA Gaiden Black and NINJA Gaiden 2 which were all incredible and critically acclaimed XBOX exclusives.
This time Yasuda is behind the press camera before gameplay is even shown and you can see a change in his confidence that did not exist thirteen years ago as he announces the latest entry in "one of our flagship series." Yes, him saying that gives definitive hope to the Dead or Alive franchise as a fighting game. Yasuda doesn't keep us waiting and takes us to the story and atmosphere almost immediately.
A female voice narrates the trailer, and we know that Team NINJA narratives can confuse some people so FSD will break it all down nice and slowly:
"Several years ago, the Dark Dragon, youngest of the Divine dragon gods, wreaked havoc across the world. The plot was ultimately thwarted through the efforts of a soul NINJA. However, the Dark Dragon's husk remained, and from this husk fell an endless downpour of cursed rain. The abandoned Tokyo continues its struggle against chaos to this day."
We will get back to the storyline in a bit because as a ninja from the Raven clan commences an infiltration mission in Tokyo, we are interrupted with a Platinum Games logo showing us that Team NINJA will not be at it alone. This is a good thing because the only 3D action games that can actually compete with NINJA Gaiden would be Bayonetta & Bayonetta 2. Time has proven many times now that if we don't have collaborations like what's being done now, we may not actually ever get games with the amount of time it takes to craft them!
As the developers delve us into the gameplay, we are treated to beautiful animation that Team NINJA has always been known for: combinations, multiple flying swallows, the flying swallow off of a beautiful wall-run, dismemberment of enemies, blood, gore and insane executions to what look to be super soldiers possibly infused with Vigoor blood.
This is unknown, but they look more beastly than they ever have before. You see insane acrobatics on full display sliding down crumbling infrastructure and dodging trains while hopping and grinding on rails. He uses a grappling hook similar to Rachel's to scale these 3D landscapes quickly. We're also treated to perhaps one of the most visceral looking parries ever shown in a 3D action game. Also noted is the motion stopping cel-shaded image which seems to be (or could be) a different mechanic entirely.
NG4's weapon arsenal seems tailored to the characters and not just weapons that he would find in a chest. While this can't be confirmed yet there are two different sword variations we see. Are they connected to him by blood and is this a transforming blade of sorts as it protrudes a thick dark red color and becomes more violent as he focuses his attack. Some will definitely make a parallel to NG3 in that regard, but the combat looks absolutely smashing as the ninja defeats a large human soldier and female fiend boss.
As the fight continues with the shrieking fiend you can tell that the parry will require some intense timing and is more than just a parry. It would seem that there are multiple mechanics to the evasion which for now we could call a type of shadow step and or teleport that is displayed at 31:55 of this Microsoft Direct. After Ryu defeats the fiend with some serious length on his blade we are given another montage with storyline bits:
"Ryu Hayabusa, whatever you clan is plotting it ends here."
"So, you've come, Raven!" says Hayabusa.
"Back off Hayabusa I will execute my mission!" Raven retorts,
During this conversation a duel between both ninjas is observed and it would appear that Raven has a similar 'blood focus' ability to match Ryu Hayabusa. Before the duel we get another collage of gameplay that looks absolutely stunning and shows us the NINJA Gaiden we remember and love. We see familiar fiends getting dismembered NINJA Gaiden 2 style and of course we see Hayabusa's iconic Izuna Drop and a few different areas before this incredible trailer comes to an end.
Yasuda comes back to us from the press cam while smiling from ear to ear he says the wait is finally over and we get even more gameplay as he brings up the collaboration of Team NINJA and Platinum Games. We also get to see some behind the scenes work showing that the developers are razor focused and ready to make the best game we've seen in the franchise history. We find out that this Raven character is actually from the Raven clan and is named Yakumo and will also have an adventure of his own being pivotal to the storyline.
Could Yakumo be the Platinum Games version of Hayabusa? Regardless, this character also wants to defeat the Dark Dragon and NG4 will probably conclude with the rivals teaming up to slay the Dark Dragon once and for all. They've crafted the game environment in a way that the city becomes gradually more diseased by the root of the husk which I think of course is a genius idea and adds compelling atmosphere and engagement.
Yakumo is dealing with the Divine Dragon Order (likely Vigoor dressed as super soldiers that tampered with the 13 Dragons causing them to be Dark) who are responsible for defending the vast number of fiends and the Dark Dragon (which is stronger than all of the other 12 dragons combined) as they destroy Japan. There are going to be returning characters and characters that are brand new to the franchise, but they will not be detailing them with this press event and at another time.
The new fighting style that we are seeing is completely dynamic and you can fluidly fight the next opponent with what appears to be automatic movement similar to a mechanic in NG3 but far more refined with the "Blood bind Ninjutsu Nue Style." The developers wanted to make sure there was engaging combat whether it be a 1v1 situation or a Free for All Blood Bath. Team NINJA's Masakazu Hirayama is eyeballing every detail to make sure that this is the most complete NINJA Gaiden ever made.
He also wants to ensure all players that Yakumo and Hayabusa will BOTH be playable. We aren't being hit with a Metal Gear Solid 2 situation here, so please do not worry about that. The combat styles will be completely different as well so there is no cookie cutting being done here to tamper the experience. There will be a combination of legacy moves and COMPLETELY new and unique move sets. This is not a copy and paste of ANY NG but takes the best things about NG giving you the highest detailed NG package to date.
NINJA Gaiden 4 launches Fall 2025 on DAY 1 Game Pass, XBOX Series S|X, PS5 & Steam!
To add to the excitement Team NINJA has released NINJA Gaiden II Black which is a jaw-dropping remake of one of the best action games ever made. You can get it on Game Pass, XBOX, PS & Steam. Same exact situation as NG4. So please indulge! Hayabusa fights alongside our favorite DOA babes: Ayane, Rachel & Momiji. Let's all give a big THANK YOU to the expert minds of Team NINJA and the head honcho Yasuda for making this all possible!
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