Ninja Gaiden 4

Following the resignation of Tomunobu Itagaki recently, Ninja Gaiden 2 is sure to be the last project that the prodigal son and Team Ninja will ever create together. The sequel to the hugely successful original, released in 2004, is built from the ground up exclusively for the Xbox 360. Being a newbie to the series, I wasn’t sure what I was about to let myself in for.

A new Ninja Gaiden for a new generation, Ninja Gaiden 4 features combat that's faster-paced and more intense than ever before. It's the most accessible, too, thanks to a range of difficulty levels and assists. It's just a shame that its new protagonist isn't a little more likeable.

Ninja Gaiden 4 is the best game Team Ninja has put out since Nioh 2, and for co-developer PlatinumGames it’s easily its strongest project since 2019’s Astral Chain. A boisterous, blood-drenched character action game, Ninja Gaiden 4 combines the rock-solid difficulty of its predecessors with Platinum’s prowess for satisfying, fast-paced combat. Some levels do drag on with dull platforming sections, but few games this year match the unapologetic thrills of Ninja Gaiden 4’s brutally brilliant combat.

For instance, enemies telegraph unlockable attacks, which can be often canceled by throwing out a quick Bloodraven ability. Bloodraven form serves multiple purposes, like breaking guards and taking out multiple enemies at once. It's all governed by its own meter, which is in addition to an additional Devil Trigger-like super meter that lets you go all-out on foes for a limited time. Because of how many tools the development team armed you with, you feel like a formidable one-man army at all times.

Ninja Gaiden 4 brings a bloodsport of epic proportions to AAA gaming, a must play title for fans of hack and slash, action, and anything ninja.

Ninja Gaiden 4 features the brutally challenging combat the series is known for. Though its story and level design aren't memorable, its superb gameplay makes up for any shortcomings. This is the return to form we've wanted.

Ninja Gaiden 4 returns with a vengeance. With PlatinumGames at the helm, combat is the best Ninja Gaiden has ever been, bringing back the challenging but satisfying gameplay.

Despite its disappointing story and bland level design, Ninja Gaiden 4's excellent combat still make it one of the best 3D action games in recent memory.

Ninja Gaiden 4 has its missteps, especially during the story and with Ryu's sections, but it's still a triumphant comeback for the franchise.

Ninja Gaiden 4 answers the call for a Ninja Gaiden successor. The gameplay offers plenty to enjoy for series veterans and newcomers alike, although the elements surrounding the combat don't put up as good of a fight.

Subscribe to Push Square on YouTube166k

Maybe Ninja Gaiden 4 could be the weird transition game that helps the franchise find a new path in future entries. Like I said before, there is a good combat loop here. It just lacks the refinement and potency that fans have come to expect from this franchise. The Ninja Gaiden stories have never been complicated or over-the-top, but this one offers very little substantive content or drama to get its hooks in you. It's not perfect by any stretch of the word, but the right person can find a good time here.