NINJA Gaiden 4 Announced & NINJA Gaiden II Black Released


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!
 
Last edited:



interview with Yasuda & Platinum's Yuji Nakao:

A New NINJA GAIDEN World Unveiled

While the series has been beloved for almost four decades, the announcement of NINJA GAIDEN 4 marks the first new mainline entry in 13 years. When asked about the long gap—spanning two Xbox console generations—Yasuda expressed Team NINJA’s long-standing desire to bring the series back. “Fans have long been asking us for a new NINJA GAIDEN game,” he said. "Koei Tecmo's President, Hisashi Koinuma, and PlatinumGames’ CEO, Atsushi Inaba, share a close relationship, which led us to explore a collaborative development effort. PlatinumGames had the expertise we felt was ideal for working on NINJA GAIDEN, and with support from Microsoft’s Phil-san [Phil Spencer, CEO of Microsoft Gaming], the three companies were able to take the next step towards creating a brand-new NINJA GAIDEN.”

Appearing for the first time in the Developer_Direct broadcast, and published by Xbox Game Studios, NINJA GAIDEN 4 is positioned as the direct sequel to NINJA GAIDEN 3. While maintaining the dark and gritty world that the series is known for, players will take on the role of a new protagonist, Yakumo. “A significant amount of time has passed since NINJA GAIDEN 3, and players will find themselves arriving in a gruesomely transformed Tokyo. One of the key themes of this story is the return of the Dark Dragon, which has plunged the city into chaos. Within these unsettling conditions, Yakumo will have to face off against his foes, as well as the formidable Master Ninja himself, Ryu Hayabusa,” Nakao explained.

When asked why a new protagonist was introduced, Nakao clarified that “since it’s been a while since the last game, we wanted a new hero to make the series more approachable for new players. Of course, we also wanted long-time fans to enjoy the game, so Ryu Hayabusa plays a significant role in the story, serving as a major challenge and growth milestone for Yakumo. Ryu will appear throughout the game and be playable, ensuring his prowess and presence is deeply felt in NINJA GAIDEN 4.”

Overcoming Adversity in NINJA GAIDEN 4

In the Developer_Direct trailer, the new protagonist, Yakumo, shows off stylish new mechanics which include traversal using wires and rails, something new for a NINJA GAIDEN title. When asked about the addition of these elements, Nakao revealed one of the game’s core themes: “Adversity is a key concept for this game. From the beginning to the end of each stage and even in the transitions between, everything is designed to represent adversity for Yakumo.” First and foremost, that adversity will come in the form of NINJA GAIDEN’s signature combat, but Nakao explains that these new additions outside of the fights keeps that feeling high at all times: “To maintain the tension throughout, we’ve added high-speed elements like rail and wire-based actions to keep up the sense of challenge.”

The announcement footage also depicted a rain-soaked, cyberpunk-like Tokyo, leaving a strong impression to those who watched the trailer. “In NINJA GAIDEN 4, we wanted to blend old and new elements. Tokyo in this game has been drastically transformed by the influence of the underworld., which is why it appears this way,” Nakao explained, elaborating on the Dark Dragon’s miasma rain, as well as the disasters it has caused. “Rain is a major visual theme in this game. For example, we’ve put a lot of effort into how characters look when drenched, how raindrops hit the ground, and various other effects.” These visual motifs stay true to the signature dark, hardcore atmosphere of the series while bringing new flavor to its visual direction.

Nakao also touched on the game’s anticipated difficulty. “We’ve brought together the best aspects of the series and elevated them for the current generation. Personally, I believe [the difficulty level of] NINJA GAIDEN 2 had a lot of standout qualities, and I think fans will feel its influence strongly throughout NINJA GAIDEN 4.”

After such a long break between games, it’s paramount that the team balances what’s great about the series, while adding new ideas. Despite the daunting challenges, the collaboration between Team NINJA and PlatinumGames promises an unparalleled NINJA GAIDEN experience.

“One of the key differences between modern action games and NINJA GAIDEN lies in the sense of fairness when confronting enemies,” Nakao said, explaining the series’ unique game balance philosophy. “Enemies are designed to be masters of defense and experts of unrelenting aggression, but players never feel they’re at an unfair disadvantage. There’s a sense of balance that’s been passed down through the series, transcending current-day trends.”

“The rapid shifts between offense and defense, the almost fighting game-like 1v1 combat—you’ll see these elements evolve in NINJA GAIDEN 4. At the same time, we’ve ensured that returning players will immediately feel at home when they pick up the game,” he concluded.

A True Successor

When asked about the challenges involved in achieving the fairness that defines the NINJA GAIDEN series, Nakao shared his thoughts with a laugh.

“If I were to go into detail about the feel of the action, we’d be here for quite a while (laughs). In all NINJA GAIDEN titles, a delicate balance is carefully crafted to maintain the satisfaction of attacking enemies without losing the speed and exhilaration that define the gameplay. I remember struggling with the fine adjustments required to achieve the right feel when we first started implementing and testing the systems. Additionally, when we brought Ryu Hayabusa into NINJA GAIDEN 4, we wanted long-time fans to experience the exact same enjoyable gameplay feel they’ve come to expect. We had numerous discussions with Team NINJA to fine-tune the mechanics and ensure everything felt just right.”

Yasuda also added that “when it comes to gameplay feel, Team NINJA was deeply involved. Fairness in combat with enemies is only possible when ultimate playability is a given. To achieve that, we pushed for even deeper refinement of controls and other aspects. I know it probably seemed like we were being a bit too demanding at times…(laughs).” This collaboration across company lines was crucial to creating the next ultimate NINJA GAIDEN experience.

One of the standout features of NINJA GAIDEN 4, which embodies the series’ experience while introducing fresh elements, is Yakumo’s “Bloodraven Form.” Nakao described this as “a technique that manipulates the blood of oneself and enemies, transforming it into a massive weapon capable of slicing through multiple foes at once.” He elaborated further on how this addition expands upon the series’ traditional gameplay.

“Yakumo fights using Bloodraven Form, and when certain conditions are met, he can unleash a move called ‘Bloodbath Kill,’ which instantly bisects enemies in one strike.” Nakao explains that, while previous entries have tasked players with working out how to approach encounters with multiple enemies, and NINJA GAIDEN 4 is introducing another exhilarating way to fight against swarming crowds: “This time we’ve added large-scale, high-damage attacks with the Bloodraven Form, enabling players to instantly turn the tide of battle in their favor.”

This system introduces moments of release from overwhelming situations, offering new depth to the gameplay that Nakao hopes both newcomers and returning fans will enjoy.

Both Team NINJA and PlatinumGames are known for their expertise in high-end action games. According to Nakao, the process of creating NINJA GAIDEN 4 revealed the unique strengths and characteristics of each studio.

“Looking at the titles created by PlatinumGames, we noticed clear differences in approach. While we emphasize flashy, impactful strikes and moment-to-moment experiences, the NINJA GAIDEN series focuses on delivering refined and satisfying gameplay feel, culminating in an exceptionally polished overall action experience. This collaboration was a truly unique learning opportunity for us at PlatinumGames.”

When asked about the significance of bringing NINJA GAIDEN 4 to Xbox, Yasuda reflected on Team NINJA’s long history with the platform.

“With titles like the Dead or Alive series and the NINJA GAIDEN series—especially the original NINJA GAIDEN, NINJA GAIDEN Black, and NINJA GAIDEN II—we have a deep history with Xbox. It’s been a long time, but we’re thrilled to bring the latest installment back to Xbox players. Additionally, with the game being added to Game Pass, we’re excited that more people will have the opportunity to experience it.”

Nakao, who became a fan of the series during his days as a student, also shared his excitement. “Personally, I played NINJA GAIDEN II on Xbox 360, so being able to play the latest installment on Xbox again makes me very happy. Even now, I occasionally boot up NINJA GAIDEN II on my Xbox Series X. As a developer and a fan, I’m thrilled to see the NINJA GAIDEN series come together on Xbox, creating a moment in time where all these titles can be enjoyed in one place.”
 
Last edited:
Very good stealth drop they did, I may actually try the game out since it does look good with the enhancements.

Idk if this means a new DOA but if they're using unreal engine 5 for NG, I think that's a good decision for making sure their visuals pop since TN already makes the games visually look good, but with UE5 backing them, this means we can definitely expect more from them that their own engines may not be able to fully deliver.
 
Gh_6Is3WIAAom16
 
Microsoft is publishing (feels like the Itagaki days lol) yet it's still gonna be multiplatform and Platinum Games is collaborating. Crazy.

To top it off, going by TN's new years message, then it's still likely a new DOA may also be coming this year.

But one wrong move so far, imo, is going with a new protagonist... even if Ryu and others are still playable, that's always been a risky move with past action games, going back to Raiden seeming to replace Snake in MGS2 (and it definitely didn't work for Yaiba), and it's also probably partly why there's been a lack of hype for Ragebound.
 
Are those screens from "Ninja Gaiden Black 2" ? I feel like there's two different announcements being talked about in the same thread here lol.
 
NG4 is so cyberpunk in style, I love it. And maybe because of Yakumo, I even get Batman Beyond vibes... XD

And I hope NG2B gets a physical release too.
 
Last edited:
Three NG projects this year. A 3D Remake, A New 3D and New 2D.

I've been reminded to remind you that Yakumo WILL NOT be the only playable character in NG4. Hayabusa will indeed be every bit as playable and important. This is my largest story since DOA6 World Championship. I hope that it's clear and concise and that people will enjoy it. Expect it to get bigger throughout the next few days with more exciting details.
 
This is all very exciting! Three different NG games for 2025. I assume the 2d game will come before NG4. However, Id prefer just Hayabusa. I felt that way about the new 2d game coming. Now the actual NG4 has another character too. But im in for all of this.

Also, Ryus outfit for 4 looks rough lol, way too much going on
 
Does this mean that in the world of DOA canon, the city of Tokyo is technically abandoned?

I've not played a Ninja Gaiden before, but I must say that the aesthetic of NG4 looks very cool. I like the biomechanical samurai-looking dudes.
 
Does this mean that in the world of DOA canon, the city of Tokyo is technically abandoned?

I've not played a Ninja Gaiden before, but I must say that the aesthetic of NG4 looks very cool. I like the biomechanical samurai-looking dudes.

We will explore that in another story. Some people say there are references, but I would say those people didn't do enough research. I believe that they are connected, but it's not really what Itagaki wanted. What Itagaki did wasn't good branding between both series. Like making Rachel a ho at the strip club Christie was at in Christie's DOA4 ending.
 
So, weirdly.... for some reason the official Xbox upload of the Ninja Gaiden 2 Black trailer doesn't show Ayane, Kasumi, and Rachel at all.


The Steam and Sony trailers are the same as the KT one, it's only the Xbox one that's different.
 
ALL DOA6 DOA5 DOA4 DOA3 DOA2U DOAD
Top