Alright, folks—it’s been over a decade since we last saw Ryu Hayabusa in action, and with Xbox officially announcing Ninja Gaiden 4 during their developer direct today, we’re diving deep into what we want from the next chapter in this legendary action series. Buckle up, because this is going to get bloody.
First things first—let’s talk history. Ninja Gaiden has been a pillar of high-octane action since the NES days, but the series truly found its modern identity with the 2004 reboot on Xbox. That game? Brutal. Stylish. Absolutely legendary. It set a standard for fast, fluid combat that left players coming back for more punishment.”
But after Ninja Gaiden 3… things got a little rocky. The game leaned too heavily into simplified mechanics and left the hardcore fans craving that challenge they loved. The Razor’s Edge re-release fixed some of those issues, but now we want a proper next-gen sequel that gets it right from the start.
The core of Ninja Gaiden is combat, and in Ninja Gaiden 4, it needs to be more refined and brutal than ever. We’re talking faster, deadlier, and more responsive. We want that signature high-skill ceiling with deep combo systems, weapon variety, and yes—FINISHERS.“
Imagine Sekiro-level precision, mixed with Devil May Cry style creativity, all wrapped in that signature Hayabusa flair. Give us the Dragon Sword, Lunar Staff, and some new weapons with insane mobility options to keep the fights fresh.”
And please… bring back the challenge. The series has never been for the faint of heart, and the Switch 2, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X can all handle the punishment.
One thing that could elevate Ninja Gaiden 4? A deeper, more immersive world. Look, we’re not asking for Elden Ring-sized open-world madness, but how about some semi-open areas that encourage exploration and reward players for mastering their ninja skills?”
We’re talking hidden scrolls, unlockable combat abilities, and environmental puzzles that push your agility to the max. Think less ‘linear hallway’ and more ‘Dead or Alive-style’ interconnected levels with verticality.
Now, that we know that PlatinumGames is involved with Ninja Gaiden 4. This could be a match made in action-game heaven. Platinum is known for their slick, stylish combat with games like Bayonetta and NieR: Automata, and their expertise could take Ninja Gaiden’s gameplay to new heights.
But here’s the deal—Platinum needs to respect the series’ roots. No gimmicky mechanics, no hand-holding, just pure, unfiltered, edge-of-your-seat ninja action.
Let’s be real—Ninja Gaiden has never been about the story, but that doesn’t mean it should be ignored. We want something with stakes. A proper villain. A reason for Hayabusa to unleash hell. Maybe even a few playable side characters like Ayane or Momiji.”
The lore is already rich, so let’s build on it with high-quality cutscenes and a darker tone that fits the ninja assassin vibe.
The power of current-gen consoles opens up a ton of possibilities for Ninja Gaiden 4. Here’s what we want:”
- 120FPS Combat – Because speed and precision are everything in this series.
- Ray-Traced Lighting – To make those Japanese temples and neon-lit cities pop.
- Haptic Feedback – Let us feel every sword slash and enemy counterattack.
- Online Leaderboards – Challenge modes, time trials, and high-score leaderboards to keep the grind alive.
Where do we see Ninja Gaiden 4 landing? Ideally, it’s a multi-platform release across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, PC, and hey… maybe even the Switch 2. The Switch got the Master Collection, and if Nintendo’s next console is as powerful as rumored, we’d love to see Hayabusa slicing up enemies on the go.
Yes, Ninja Gaiden 4 is happening! If Koei Tecmo and PlatinumGames can find the right balance between brutal challenge, stylish combat, and modern game design, this could be the action game of the generation.
Until we hear more, though, all we can do is dream. But tell us—what do you want to see in Ninja Gaiden 4? Drop your thoughts in the comments and let’s start the conversation.
