The return of the infamous ninja, Yakumo, marks the beginning of the "Year of the Ninja." Microsoft's Xbox Developer Direct took everyone by surprise as the much-anticipated mystery game turned out to be Ninja Gaiden 4, set to be a major highlight in the gaming industry this year.
After a decade of dormancy, the Ninja Gaiden series is making a grand comeback with the announcement of Ninja Gaiden 4, slated for release in Fall 2025. Co-developed by Team Ninja and Platinum Games, renowned for titles like Bayonetta and Nier: Automata, the game is set to hit Xbox, PC, and PS5, with availability on Game Pass added to the mix.
Venturing into a new era for the franchise, Ninja Gaiden 4 introduces a fresh protagonist named Yakumo. Tasked with confronting the return of the Dark Dragon, Yakumo must navigate through the ruined city of Tokyo, battling hordes of enemies and even facing off against the former hero Ryu Hayabusa. Despite maintaining the series' signature fast-paced, gory combat, Ninja Gaiden 4 aims to strike a balance by offering a challenging yet accessible gameplay experience for both die-hard fans and newcomers.
The roots of the Ninja Gaiden series date back to 1988 when the first game graced arcades, later becoming a standout title on the NES. The franchise saw a reboot in 2004 on the Xbox, leading up to Ninja Gaiden 3's release in 2014, ushering in a new era of ninja-centric gaming.
In an unexpected move, Team Ninja also unveiled a stealthily developed remaster of 2008's Ninja Gaiden 2 Black to keep players engaged until Ninja Gaiden 4 hits the shelves. This enhanced version is now available on Xbox Game Pass, serving up nostalgia for longtime fans and a fresh experience for contemporary gamers.
Anticipation is mounting for Ninja Gaiden 4's multi-platform release later this year. With its inclusion on Xbox Game Pass, the game is poised to reach a wide audience across different gaming platforms. The return of Yakumo and the thrilling ninja action promised in this latest installment have fans on the edge of their seats, eager to dive back into the heart-pounding world of the Ninja Gaiden franchise.
