Is Ninja Gaiden 4 A Better Game Than Ninja Gaiden Black?

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Wow, Ninja Gaiden 4 is finally here after all this time, and people seem to be enjoying it! It’s cool to see the positive reactions. But thinking back to Ninja Gaiden Black – which I still consider the high point of the series – it’s really striking how different this new game feels. They’ve kept some things the same, though with a slightly different spin, but thankfully, it still feels like a Ninja Gaiden game at its core.

The game Black builds upon the original Ninja Gaiden in many ways, notably by improving the camera and adding features like Mission Mode and the notoriously difficult Master Ninja difficulty setting. It also ramps up the challenge by changing enemy placements and layouts, making encounters significantly harder.

Just how does Ninja Gaiden 4 compare to Ninja Gaiden Black? Is it a step forward for the series, or does it disappoint? Let’s take a closer look.

Combat

The combat in Ninja Gaiden is very structured; you had to carefully time your attacks and focus on reacting to what enemies did, as you couldn’t cancel your own moves mid-combo. This version, Black, includes all the extra content from the Hurricane Packs that were released after the original game, but it leaves out the ‘Intercept’ ability (which is like a perfect block). This omission makes Black noticeably more difficult than the first Ninja Gaiden.

The combat system cleverly mixes quick movements with solid defense – you can block a lot of attacks. But enemies can still grab you or overpower your defenses, so staying mobile and dodging is key. Use the environment and other tactics to your advantage instead of just standing and fighting. Besides the Dragon Sword, you’ll have a variety of weapons at your disposal, including the Kitetsu katana, nunchucks, the Vigoorian Flail, the Dabilahro, the War Hammer, and some secret options like the Lunar Staff and Smoke Bombs, which are unique to the Black version of the game.

Okay, so compared to other games, Ninja Gaiden 4’s combat feels way more open and fast-paced. I can really mix things up in fights! Like, if I block perfectly, I can immediately counter. Parrying lets me pull off these awesome Fatal Flash moves. And dodging at just the right time actually slows things down, giving me a chance to get in some extra attacks. Blocking is still important, but now I have way more freedom to link moves and combos, especially with the weapon switching. Plus, those Ultimate techniques are easier to do and still make me invincible, which is always a good thing!

Beyond these core abilities, mastering Bloodraven Form unlocks even more advantages, like powerful knockback techniques and devastating bombs and shurikens. Berserk Mode encourages aggressive play, rewarding you with instant-kill attacks and even healing if you have the right gear. When used effectively, these features dramatically change how you approach scoring, lessening your dependence on items and reducing the danger of dying. However, mastering them is key to reaping these benefits.

Yakumo has four weapons, but playing as Bloodraven gives you access to effectively double that amount, though it’s limited by the Bloodbind gauge. Kage-Hiruko stands out because it combines many different weapons – bombs, shurikens, flails, and more – into a single versatile option. Plus, you can also play as Ryu Hayabusa and wield the powerful Dragon Sword, which is satisfying even without a wide range of other choices.

Obliteration Techniques, first appearing in Ninja Gaiden 2, let you quickly finish off enemies after you’ve cut off their limbs, preventing them from attacking. While Ninja Gaiden Black doesn’t have these techniques, and they aren’t really needed due to fewer dismembered enemies, they’re a key part of Ninja Gaiden 4. In that game, they refill a resource called Bloodbind, letting you use powerful Bloodraven moves. Each game handles this differently, but Ninja Gaiden 4 really stands out with its amazing obliteration animations, especially when fighting bosses – it has some of the best in the entire series.

Ultimately, which Ninja Gaiden game is better depends on what you’re looking for. Ninja Gaiden Black offers a slower, more strategic experience. However, Ninja Gaiden 4 is more visually exciting, allows for longer combos, and has a higher skill ceiling, especially considering all the options it provides. Personally, I prefer Ninja Gaiden 4 because the developers didn’t just improve on what was already there – they added new features and systems while still keeping the game challenging.

Exploration and Side Content

Both Ninja Gaiden and Black offer a classic action-adventure experience, featuring central hubs, puzzles, and key-finding that make the game world feel explorable. Ninja Gaiden 4, though, is much more straightforward. While it has optional areas, assassination targets, and collectibles, you mostly follow a single path to complete your goals. Unlike previous games, you can’t tackle the Dark Dragon seals in any order you choose.

Looking back, it all makes sense considering how the game unfolds! They really opened up the movement – I spent so much time wingsuiting through canyons, grinding on rails, dodging trains with the grappling hook, and even falling down waterfalls! And honestly, when it comes to extra stuff to do, Ninja Gaiden 4 just has way more. Even though Black’s Mission Mode has 50 scenarios, Ninja Gaiden 4 throws in Boss Trials, Combat Missions, different ways to get through those wave-based challenges, and you can even replay the whole game as either Ryu or Yakumo on different difficulty levels. It’s packed!

Presentation

When it comes to graphics and music, preference plays a big role. Ninja Gaiden 4 has noticeably crisper visuals, particularly in its textures, character designs, and animations. However, Ninja Gaiden Black was remarkably vibrant for its time. In comparison, Ninja Gaiden 4 often feels more subdued, whether you’re fighting in the Underworld or exploring outdoor areas. The environments in Ninja Gaiden 4 can sometimes feel a bit bland and lack distinct features, although the game does have moments where the detailed lighting and design really shine.

Judging the music is tricky because the soundtrack for Ninja Gaiden Black really captures the feel of its time. It blends a lot of techno with classical instruments, and it does a great job of setting the mood for each scene – the fight with Doku is a perfect example. Ninja Gaiden 4’s music is good overall, but I can’t easily recall many tracks that really stand out, except for the theme from Umi’s Shop. It’s worth revisiting, but for now, Ninja Gaiden Black has the better presentation.

Bonus: The Story

Let’s be clear: Ninja Gaiden Black has the better story. While it begins with a straightforward mission for Ryu to find the Dark Dragon Blade, it’s filled with rich backstory, unforgettable characters – both good and bad – and truly special moments. Ninja Gaiden 4‘s story isn’t bad, but its characters aren’t as well-developed. The DDO feels pretty shallow, and the Fiends don’t really leave much of an impression. While Yakumo’s story about helping the Raven Clan and Seori’s personal journey are decent, I still found Ryu’s adventure in Ninja Gaiden Black much more engaging.

Conclusion

As a huge fan, I always thought Ninja Gaiden Black was the peak of the series, and honestly, it still plays amazingly well today. Ninja Gaiden 4 isn’t quite as good, but it’s definitely worth playing if you enjoy fast-paced combat and a really wild story!

Please be aware that the opinions shared in this article are the author’s own and don’t reflect the official stance of GamingBolt.

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2025-10-24 17:15