Ninja Gaiden 4 was perhaps the standout announcement from the Xbox Developer_Direct, and it’s out later this year with its teams currently in the polishing phase. While the gameplay fit the high-speed standard that defined the series, there’s plenty of new features to look forward to.
Along with sticking to the dark atmosphere that defined the series, Tokyo presents some stressfull scenarios. With the miasma rain causing significant destruction, you run into collapsing buildings while grinding on rails as newcomer Yakumo. Exploration yields hidden items, challenges, and more, so its worth going off the beaten path.
Fiends and other enemies return alongside 1v1 battles with enemies that can block your attacks. Searching for the right moment to attack is important, but Yakumo’s skills truly shine when fighting crowds. While he has the Raven Style, the Bloodraven Form is perhaps the most intriguing element.
Utilized to fight off multiple enemies, PlatinumGames director Yuji Nakao described it 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.
“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.” These “large-scale, high-damage attacks” allow for turning the tide instantly against multiple enemies.
Of course, classic moves like the Flying Swallow and Izuna Drop return, which both Yakumo and Ryu Hayabusa can utilize. However, there are also fresh moves appearing for the first time in the series. Fans can also expect new and returning characters.
Ninja Gaiden 4 launches in Fall 2025 for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC. It will also be available for Game Pass.
