Ninja Gaiden 4 – Everything You Need to Know

Okay, seriously, after thirteen years, it’s amazing to finally say this: a new *Ninja Gaiden* is almost here! I’m so hyped! It’s a collaboration between Team Ninja and PlatinumGames, and from what I’ve seen, it’s going to be exactly what we expect from a *Ninja Gaiden* game – tons of fast-paced action – but with some cool new ideas thrown in. It feels like they’re building something that could really revitalize the series and keep that signature, stylish gameplay fresh.

Okay, so *Ninja Gaiden 4* isn’t just bringing a new character – Ryu Hayabusa is back, and it’s been a while! If you’re thinking about getting it, I’ve put together some info to help you decide if it’s worth checking out.

Let’s dive in!

1. An Explosive New Story

Following directly after *Ninja Gaiden 3*, the new story has Ryu facing off against Yakumo, a young ninja from a rival clan. While Yakumo might have similar aims to Ryu’s previous enemy, he approaches things in a completely different way. The game takes place in a dark and ruined version of Tokyo, which has been invaded by the Dark Dragon, a returning villain from past *Ninja Gaiden* games.

Two protagonists, aided by new allies, face dangerous enemies on a violent journey to confront their ultimate opponent. The game’s creators are proud of how they’ve integrated their core design principles into the story, and players will likely be left on the edge of their seats after each intense battle, eager to see what happens next.

2. Difficulty Options

The developers are really trying to make this game enjoyable for both longtime fans and new players. Previous *Ninja Gaiden* games are known for being very challenging and violent, but players unfamiliar with the series might find the intense combat overwhelming.

Don’t worry about the challenge – you can adjust the difficulty anytime with three different options. We’ll share more specifics as we continue.

3. For A True Master Of the Craft

Once you beat the game on a normal difficulty, you’ll likely want to jump straight into Master Ninja Mode. It’s a fantastic New Game Plus experience that really changes things up. You’ll face enemies in new locations, they’ll be smarter and more aggressive, and the game will be significantly harder – even for experienced players.

Be prepared to bring your best builds and skills to the table if you want to take this on.

4. Hero Mode

If you’re interested in trying out the game’s complex combat system but want a bit of help, Hero Mode is for you. It offers a slightly easier experience and lets you automate some key actions, like blocking, so you can focus on learning the basics.

Honestly, I think it’s a great way to ease you into the game. It’s like training wheels for the combat, helping you get the hang of things before you crank up the difficulty. It really lets you see what everyone’s been talking about with *Ninja Gaiden 4* and why it’s so special!

5. Not Close Enough

The game is officially coming out on October 21, 2025, and will be available on Xbox Game Pass from day one. It’s still a while to wait for a game many of us have been anticipating, but we’re excited to see Ryu back in action!

6. Goodies Galore

If you preorder the regular version of the game, you’ll receive a special skin for Yakumo called the Dark Dragon Descendant Skin.

Owners of the deluxe edition will receive extra Ninja Coins, a classic look for Ryu, and some appealing weapon skins. It’s a great way to relive favorite moments like the Izuna Drop or Flying Swallow while mastering the game’s deep and engaging new combat system.

7. Design Pillars

The game’s story and battles are built around themes of hardship, ruthlessness, and unpredictable events. The difficult relationship between Ryu and Yakumo is established early on, but the franchise’s signature, challenging combat really emphasizes these themes and makes them feel impactful.

While the Dark Dragon might be known for being cruel, our heroes aren’t afraid to fight back with force, battling waves of enemies in a fast-paced, action-packed struggle.

The story’s dynamic nature will likely challenge the protagonists’ preconceived notions about each other, as they come from opposing groups. Gameplay will be fast-paced and require quick reactions, forcing players to adapt their fighting style – switching weapons and chaining attacks – to succeed in battle. It promises to be a thrilling experience.

8. Dynamic Enemy Level Scaling

The enemy AI will adapt to how well you play and the difficulty level you choose. It will constantly change enemy positioning, attack styles, and how aggressively they fight, creating a challenge tailored to your skill. This dynamic combat system aims to be deeply engaging, building on the franchise’s established strengths and delivering a compelling experience in this new game.

9. If At First You Don’t Succeed

Don’t worry about messing up tricky moves during a fight! For the first time ever in the series, Team Ninja has added a Training Mode where you can practice combos and perfect your skills before facing off against anyone who dares challenge you on your quest to defeat the Dark Dragon.

Practice does make perfect, after all!

10. Perfect Play

This time, skillfully dodging and blocking enemy attacks will be key to the fast-paced and intense combat. A new Perfect Parry system will even let you know exactly when you’ve successfully blocked an attack with perfect timing.

We don’t yet know how useful these new features will be in combat, but considering the game is full of enemies that attack in groups, we’re very interested to see how skilled players will use them to gain an edge – and that excitement is only growing as we learn more about the game.

11. Parrying Might Be Harder Than You Think

Many games now let you perfectly parry an attack by blocking right before it hits, but doing so in *Ninja Gaiden 4* can be tricky. You’ll need to watch out for several enemies at the same time, making well-timed blocks much harder to pull off.

Although Team Ninja might make parrying easier before the game officially launches, early gameplay suggests mastering it will require quick reflexes. Becoming truly skilled at parrying – blocking attacks perfectly – is essential to becoming a powerful and untouchable ninja.

12. Ryu and Trials Mode

Ryu will likely play a key role in the story, helping Yakumo grow and reach his full potential. Plus, for fans who want to play as him directly, he’s available in Trial Mode! He doesn’t have as many weapon options as other characters, but he has a special Dragon Gleam mode that’s similar to Yakumo’s Bloodraven form.

We’re adding more weapons to the game through downloadable content, giving you even more options for your character. You’ll also be able to replay completed levels to hone your skills and challenge bosses, including the chance to play as Ryu in Trials Mode.

13. Photo Mode

The game’s Photo Mode lets you capture amazing pictures of your most impressive victories! Players are already sharing some fantastic shots, and we can’t wait to see what creative photos the community comes up with when the game is released.

14. More Frames, More Style

Players with the Xbox Series X can now experience the game at a super-smooth 120 frames per second, but you’ll need a compatible TV or monitor to take advantage of it. The Xbox Series S doesn’t support this feature. Series X owners will get a more fluid gameplay experience, though the graphics will be slightly less detailed. We think this is a good compromise, especially for a game centered around fast-paced combat.

The game is also coming to PlayStation 5, and we plan to release a version for powerful PCs after the game is available.

15. PC System Requirements

If you’re planning to play on a PC, Team Ninja has shared the recommended system requirements. At a minimum, you’ll need Windows 10 or 11 (64-bit), an Intel Core i5-8400 or AMD Ryzen 5 3400G processor, and 16GB of RAM. For graphics, they suggest an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 with 6GB of VRAM or an AMD Radeon RX 590 with 8GB of VRAM, and DirectX 12. You’ll also need a sound card that supports 16-bit, 48KHz audio, and 100GB of free space on an SSD to play the game at 1080p resolution with 30 frames per second, using ‘Low’ settings for both FSR and object quality.

To get smooth performance, we recommend at least an Intel Core i5-10400 or AMD Ryzen 5 3600 processor, and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 Super or AMD Radeon RX 5700XT graphics card, both with 8GB of video memory. With these components, and the previously recommended settings, you should be able to play the game at 1080p resolution with 60 frames per second, using the ‘Middle’ setting for both FidelityFX Super Resolution and Object Quality.

That covers everything you need to know about *Ninja Gaiden 4* before you get the game. It’s a sequel with a lot to live up to, but we think Ryu and Yakumo are up to the task and will deliver a fantastic experience. We’ll be here to share our thoughts when we get our hands on it in October. Join us as we explore what remains of Tokyo!

2025-10-06 16:46