Ninja Gaiden is a franchise I’m familiar with, but I’ve never really played it before since it’s not usually my type of game. Now that the upcoming installment is almost here, I wanted to test the waters first before diving in and playing the latest one. Since Ninja Gaiden 2 is the only title available on Xbox Game Pass, I decided to give it a try and wow, that game is brutal. Not just in its action, but also in how it challenges you as a player. I had no idea it would be this hard, but it’s the kind of difficulty that’s fun. I really enjoyed the gameplay loop, the sound design, and especially the main character, Ryu Hayabusa. After playing for hours, I finally started to understand the mechanics, and I think I’ve gained enough experience to take on the new installment.
The new Ninja Gaiden feels very different from Ninja Gaiden 2, and I’m pleasantly surprised by how much more fun and welcoming it is for new players like me. It offers more options to suit different playstyles while still keeping the core elements that make Ninja Gaiden special. It’s bloodier, more action-packed, and more exciting a true treat for both loyal fans and newcomers to the franchise.
While Ryu Hayabusa has been the main character in most Ninja Gaiden titles, this time you take control of a new character named Yakumo from the Raven Clan. Following in Ryu’s footsteps to become a Master Ninja, Yakumo plays similarly but brings his own unique skills and powers to the fight, allowing you to take down enemy ninjas in his own distinct style.
During his mission to assassinate Seori, the priestess of the Dark Dragon, Yakumo uncovers the truth about the Dark Dragon and sets out to break the seal on his ancestor. But don’t worry, Ryu fans he’s still part of the story and plays an important role in the game’s plot.
One of my favorite additions to the game is the Raven interaction system. When you interact with a raven, a ninja named Tyran appears, giving you the opportunity to purchase new skills and techniques. The best part is that you can immediately practice any newly unlocked skill in a mini training area, allowing you to master it before continuing your journey. This feature really helped me improve and fully understand each new ability, and it feels incredibly satisfying when you perfectly execute those moves against real enemies.
You can also interact with Umi, one of your team members who communicates with you throughout the game via earpiece. Her shrine occasionally appears next to the Raven, where you can also access Contracts. Umi provides helpful guidance and even rewards you with story-related equipment such as the grappling hook and glider, both of which open up new ways to explore and navigate the environment.
Speaking of Contracts these are mini side missions where you can take on specific tasks like eliminating a certain enemy, collecting a rare creature, or defeating an opponent under special conditions. It’s a fun way to take a break from the main story and adds more variety to the gameplay. When exploring new areas, make sure to look around carefully you might stumble upon hidden passages or unique enemies that help you complete your contracts. Once you finish them, you can redeem your rewards to purchase new items or skills, making it a great way to strengthen your character as you progress. You can also enable or disable certain abilities anytime if you feel like they’re interfering with your combos a small but very welcome feature.
You can also come across a mysterious gate surrounded by blue flames this area is called The Purgatory. Once you enter, you’ll be presented with a series of combat challenges. It’s like a mini-game where you face waves of enemies, but there’s a twist each challenge applies a health penalty. The higher the penalty you choose, the greater the rewards you’ll earn.
Just a heads-up for new players: if you’re using assisted settings, they’ll automatically be disabled once you enter The Purgatory. So be ready it’s a true test of skill and endurance.
One of the coolest new features is a co-pilot assist system that helps you block, dodge, and execute combos automatically. It’s designed for beginners, but it doesn’t take away your control or the thrill of combat. You can turn it on or off anytime, which makes it a great tool for learning or adjusting the difficulty curve to your liking.
The combat system itself is well-refined and thoughtfully executed. You still have your basic light and heavy attacks, and while you can button-mash your way through some encounters, the game truly rewards precision and mastery. The parry system is especially satisfying timing it perfectly can either stagger enemies for a follow-up strike or trigger a powerful counterattack. The block-button parry stuns or staggers enemies, while the attack-button parry relies on perfect timing at the exact moment an enemy lands a hit. When pulled off, Yakumo performs a stylish counter that deals heavy damage and it looks awesome every time.
Yakumo also possesses supernatural powers. By pressing the left trigger, he transforms into his Blood Raven form, extending his weapon into a longer, deadlier version that deals massive damage especially against armored foes, shielded enemies, and bosses. This form is limited in duration, so it’s best used strategically. Thankfully, it can be recharged by dismembering enemies during battle, rewarding aggressive and skillful combat.
And of course, it wouldn’t be Ninja Gaiden without a variety of deadly weapons. The best part is you don’t need a weapon wheel, you can instantly switch weapons using the D-pad. The transition is seamless, allowing you to chain combos between different weapons on the fly. Your skill and creativity are your only limits when performing stylish, devastating combos. It reminds me a bit of Resident Evil 4 Remake and how quick and fluid weapon switching feels in that game.
There are also platforming sections where you have to dodge, duck, jump, and even slide along railings. It reminded me of Sonic the Hedgehog. These segments are a fun change of pace and really make you feel like a true ninja, especially when you manage to dodge every obstacle in one smooth, flawless run. Team Ninja clearly poured their heart and soul into making sure everyone, from longtime fans to first timers, can enjoy this new experience.
I played Ninja Gaiden 4 on the Xbox Series S, and the performance is excellent. The game runs smoothly with no noticeable frame drops, and the controls feel tight and responsive, which is crucial for a fast-paced action game like this. I haven’t encountered any major bugs or glitches so far, and everything from combat animations to cutscenes runs seamlessly. The loading times are also quick, keeping the action flowing smoothly between missions. Overall, it’s a well-optimized experience that makes every intense fight and combo feel even more satisfying.
Overall, Ninja Gaiden 4 is a fantastic game that I honestly didn’t expect to enjoy this much. The gameplay feels smooth and refined, and the overall loop is incredibly satisfying. It’s surprisingly friendly to new players like me while still retaining the brutal challenge fans love. The story is easy to follow, exploration is rewarding, and the contracts and challenges add tons of replay value. The game has so much to offer from its intense combat to its engaging side missions and it truly shows how much care the developers put into bringing this legendary franchise back to life.
Ninja Gaiden 4 (Xbox Series S)
Ninja Gaiden 4 is a fantastic game that I honestly didn’t expect to enjoy this much. The gameplay feels smooth and refined, and the overall loop is incredibly satisfying. It’s surprisingly friendly to new players like me while still retaining the brutal challenge fans love.
The Good
- Smooth and refined combat system
- Accessible for new players
- Instant weapon switching
- Satisfying parry and counter mechanics
- Deep progression and side content
- Engaging new protagonist with Ryu’s return
- Great performance on Xbox
The Bad
- Occasional difficulty spikes
- Tricky camera angles
- Limited Blood Raven duration
- Uneven story pacing Some repetitive enemies
