5 Reasons Why Ninja Gaiden 4’s Combat Will Blow You Away

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Fans are getting closer to the release of *Ninja Gaiden 4*, a game being created jointly by Team Ninja and Platinum Games. It promises to revitalize the series with a new take on action-adventure gameplay. While the return of Ryu and the Dark Dragon suggests a compelling story, the game’s fast-paced action is expected to be its biggest draw.

Ryu teams up with a compelling new character to protect Tokyo from the plans of the Dark Dragon. This partnership has us excited about the game’s revamped combat system, which will be central to the action. After a long hiatus, the developers have a lot of ground to make up compared to other popular action games.

Can these two game studios, known for their very different fighting styles, actually create something great together? We think so! Initial previews suggest they’ve successfully combined Team Ninja’s focus on accurate, skillful combat with Platinum’s emphasis on letting players express themselves creatively.

Ninja Gaiden 4 might be the best game in the series yet. It successfully combines everything players loved from previous games with exciting new features, potentially creating a truly unforgettable experience in a dark and dangerous world for its heroes. But how does it pull this off?

We’re here to give you the answers.

Blending Tradition and Modernity

The *Ninja Gaiden* series has always been famous for its fast-paced, challenging combat. You face waves of enemies and have powerful abilities to defeat them, but you need to fight strategically or you’ll be overwhelmed. The focus isn’t on flashy moves, but on quick reflexes and mastering the system. However, other successful action games have shown that stylish combat can be just as effective.

Previous *Ninja Gaiden* games certainly had cool moves, but they weren’t the main point of the combat. Style was a bonus, not the focus. *Ninja Gaiden 4*, though, feels different. It combines the established, challenging combat with a new emphasis on flashy, complex combos. This could make it the best *Ninja Gaiden* yet, while still staying true to what fans love about the series.

The game doesn’t rely on flashy visuals just for show. Instead, it rewards skillful and engaging gameplay with satisfying sights and smooth controls. It’s difficult to fully explain, but the refined combat feels like a respectful nod to classic, time-tested systems, while also updating them with modern action game elements. This approach should help keep the franchise’s core combat exciting for years to come.

This is still the classic *Ninja Gaiden* gameplay you remember, but with a few modern touches to attract new players who might not be familiar with the series. It’s built to grab your attention and, once you start playing, you’ll quickly become hooked.

But what could make it so appealing? That’s up next!

Combining Form And Function

A standout new feature makes combat more dynamic and visually impressive without compromising its core mechanics. Both the new character, Yakumo, and Ryu have access to powerful new Forms that they charge up through regular attacks and can activate whenever they choose. These Forms unlock fresh offensive and defensive moves, adding depth and requiring more skill in battles.

It’s tempting to dismiss these forms as just a flashy feature, but they’re deeply connected to gameplay and essential for winning. For example, Yakumo’s Bloodraven form gives him stronger attacks and lets him break through enemy defenses. It also changes how his combos work and allows him to counter attacks that normally can’t be blocked, all while he remains transformed.

Ryu’s Gleam form enhances his existing strengths, boosting his speed and momentum to keep his opponents off balance. It’s a fantastic way to stay true to his classic style while also making him a powerful match for his newest teammate. We believe players will find Ryu’s abilities both recognizable and exciting, and this new form system will be key to that experience.

This would make each fight more strategic and technically demanding. You’d need to constantly adapt your timing while switching between different forms, and quickly choose the best option for the current situation.

A New Layer To Defense

The saying ‘the best defense is a good offense’ seems to apply to *Ninja Gaiden 4*. Many recent action games use parrying, which encourages players to be more aggressive. It’s smart for *Ninja Gaiden* to adapt this successful mechanic and put its own unique twist on it.

Ninja Gaiden 4 keeps the fast-paced action going with two new systems: Dynamic Parry and Fatal Flash. These systems maintain the game’s difficulty while encouraging players to aggressively engage their enemies, staying true to the series’ style. Skilled play is rewarded with extra items and opportunities for powerful counterattacks, which can often determine the outcome of a fight. Enemies signal their most dangerous attacks with a red flash, forcing players to quickly decide whether to dodge or use a special ability to interrupt the attack.

This design aligns with what makes recent action games great and promises to add a lot of excitement to *Ninja Gaiden 4’s* combat. Skilled players will be able to turn defense into a powerful offense, making the game’s fights particularly thrilling.

Two Protagonists, Two Fighting Styles, Two Arsenals

Playing with both Ryu and Yakumo is awesome for the story, but it could really shake up the gameplay too. Yakumo’s super quick and uses his Bloodraven form to keep opponents off balance, while Ryu feels much more powerful and grounded. It means I’ll have to get a feel for how each of them fights and change up my strategy depending on who I’m controlling – it’s a cool challenge!

Letting players quickly swap weapons creates a challenging but satisfying combat system. Combined with a training mode and level replays, it’s a system you could easily spend hours perfecting without even noticing the time pass.

Enemies and Bosses That Test You

The boss battles really highlight everything the game does well. Both the Kitsune Courtesan and Kagachi are great examples of fights that teach you how to overcome challenges and then test if you’ve mastered those skills.

As a player, I really appreciate how easy it is to read each enemy, even the basic ones. You can instantly tell who’s on what side and get a feel for what they’re going to do, which is a huge help in combat. The game is also *constantly* giving you feedback – little cues that tell you when to parry or dodge, and it keeps you focused on managing your resources and staying precise with your attacks. It’s a really intuitive system!

As a long-time fan, the combat in this game feels incredible – it really captures the spirit of classic *Ninja Gaiden* while still feeling fresh and modern. What’s really cool is that whether you’re new to the series or a veteran, there’s something here for everyone. They’ve brought back all my favorite moves, like the Izuna Drop and Flying Swallow, which is awesome, and I love that you can adjust the difficulty. It means anyone can jump in and enjoy the fast-paced action without getting completely overwhelmed.

Ultimately, *Ninja Gaiden 4* will likely give fans exactly what they want: intense, polished combat that feels like a dynamic and challenging fight. We’re really looking forward to it and appreciate the promise of that experience.

If only time could go faster until it’s in our hands!

Please be aware that the opinions shared in this article belong solely to the author and don’t reflect the official stance of GamingBolt.

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2025-10-13 18:19