Review: Ninja Gaiden 4 (PS5) – A Bloodthirsty Action Game Ripped Straight from the PS3 Era

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Ninja Gaiden 4 feels like a game that came out 15 years ago, and we mean that as a compliment.

Okay, so this game is brutal. Seriously, it’s tough as nails, but in a good way. What I really liked is that it doesn’t mess around with a bunch of open-world stuff or complicated systems. It’s a pretty classic, straight-up, level-by-level experience, and honestly, it’s super refreshing to play something like that these days.

After a disappointing sequel in 2012, the teams behind popular action games like PlatinumGames and Team Ninja have joined forces for a new Ninja Gaiden. Thankfully, this latest installment returns to the series’ roots while still offering fresh and exciting gameplay.

Okay, so this game is really interesting because it’s not about Ryu this time! Instead, you play as Yakumo, this up-and-coming ninja from the Raven clan. What’s cool is he can use a ton of different weapons, which makes gameplay super varied and fun.

I’m so hooked on this game! You play as Yakumo, and the story throws you into this incredibly atmospheric, ruined Tokyo. The city is basically haunted by demons because of this huge, dead dragon looming over everything, and it’s always raining. He teams up with this really intriguing priestess, and together they have to break a bunch of seals to bring the dragon back to life… but not just to kill it again. The goal is to actually purify it, which is way more effective than just destroying it. It’s a really cool concept!

The game’s story and characters aren’t its strongest points. The dialogue feels overacted, and the characters themselves aren’t very developed, making it hard to really care about the plot. Ultimately, the story mainly serves as a reason to send Yakumo on a quest to defeat evil, which works well enough since the game focuses on fast-paced, intense action.

Throughout the game, Yakumo unlocks a variety of weapons, each with its own strengths. The twin blades are well-balanced for general combat, while the rapier excels at quickly attacking individual enemies. The staff is best used against groups, and the assassin’s tools allow you to attack from a distance.

Once your meter is full, you can activate Bloodraven form, which upgrades your weapon. For instance, dual swords gain a wide-range attack, and the staff becomes a hammer that deals explosive damage with precise timing.

In this state, you’re able to deflect attacks and overcome enemy defenses. Plus, activating berserk mode lets you instantly defeat opponents, which is incredibly rewarding.

As you play, you’ll unlock a wide range of combat moves and weapon skills for Yakumo, giving him more ways to fight. This keeps the battles fresh and interesting throughout the game by providing a diverse set of tools and techniques.

While Ryu isn’t the main focus of this game, you can still play as him. Plus, after finishing the game, you can go back and replay any level using Ryu instead of the primary character.

Unlike Yakumo, he relies solely on his Dragon Blade, giving him fewer basic attacks. But what he lacks in variety, he makes up for in raw power – his attacks feel significantly stronger.

You can also trade your meter to unleash powerful Ki attacks, such as a fiery explosion or shields that damage surrounding opponents.

Although the characters have similar abilities, they’re distinct enough that we found both of them fun to play.

Battles are quick and exciting. While single enemies are usually manageable, you can quickly get overrun by large groups if you aren’t careful. This game demands constant attention and fast reflexes.

Sometimes, the game throws so many enemies at you that it’s hard to keep track of everything happening, or react quickly enough. For example, if you’re performing a combo and suddenly get attacked from somewhere you can’t see, it can be tough to switch gears and defend yourself.

The game really captures the feel of Ninja Gaiden – simply pressing buttons repeatedly won’t get you through it. You need to be strategic.

What we really love about this game is how simple and focused it is. It’s an action-adventure that takes around 10 hours to complete, with levels designed to be played mostly in a straight line. You’ll face a few bosses and gradually unlock new weapons and abilities as you progress.

The game features optional side missions and collectibles, such as special gates that unlock challenging fights. However, the main path through each level is generally quite simple and direct.

Unlike many recent action games, Ninja Gaiden 4 purposefully avoids complicated trends, and we found its straightforward approach to be a welcome change.

Honestly, if I had to pick one thing this game really struggles with, it’s the environments. They get a little repetitive, and while it’s not as bad, the enemy types could use more variety too. It just feels like you’re seeing the same stuff over and over again after a while.

The game primarily takes place in the ruins of Tokyo, but you’ll find yourself revisiting many of the same locations. Expect to see a lot of rain-covered, neon-lit rooftops, cold military bases, and gloomy demon worlds – and you’ll even walk through identical areas multiple times.

This issue reflects the game’s storytelling and the way it features two main characters. Although the gameplay and action are excellent, it would have been even better if there were more diverse environments to discover.

Difficulty has always been a key part of this game series, and this installment doesn’t disappoint with challenging levels and bosses. What’s really special, though, is how customizable the difficulty is – you can adjust it to perfectly match your skill level.

Some game assists prioritize smooth movement – like automatically running on walls or along rails – even if it means a lower score. On the easiest difficulty, these assists can even handle things like dodging, blocking, and healing for you.

Completing the game unlocks even more content, including extra challenges and a harder difficulty setting for dedicated players.

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2025-10-21 02:08