Summary
After nearly fifteen years of waiting since the last numbered installment in the modernNinja Gaidenfranchise, the surprise reveal ofNinja Gaiden 4atMicrosoft’s January 2025 Xbox Developer Directshowcase has been a momentous moment for many fans of the franchise. Positioned alongside an Unreal Engine 5 remaster of the much-lovedNinja Gaiden 2,the latest installment in theNinja Gaidenfranchise provided much information for fans, yet some elements were hidden in the densely-packed reveal trailer for others to uncover.
From surprising cross-platform availability to the presentation of significant mechanical and narrative moments, the collaboratively developedNinja Gaiden 4’s reveal trailer had much to say - and not all of it was contained in the teaser’s narration.
1Ninja Gaiden 4 Is A Collaborative Effort
From Japanese Titans Of Melee Combat To Western Console Manufacturers
Considering the hack n' slash legacy of both Team NINJA and PlatinumGames' library of past titles, the fact that these two melee combat titans are collaborating to develop Ninja Theory 4 is a somewhat unsurprising partnership. However, with the introduction of Microsoft as a publishing partner, through its Xbox Game Studios branch, the latestNinja Gaidentitle will simultaneously launch as a retail release and aday-one Xbox Game Pass release.
With Team NINJA and Koei Tecmo’s"deep history with Xbox", alongside PlatinumGames' history of collaborating on games likeMetal Gear Rising: RevengeanceandStar Fox Zerowith Hideo Kojima and Nintendo respectively, the communal nature ofNinja Gaiden 4’s development is atypical of all parties involved.
2An Inclusion Of PlatinumGames Spectacle
With Manga-Inspired Decapitations & High-Octane Action
With the “speed and dynamic expression of PlatinumGames” being utilized by Koei Tecmo’s development ofNinja Gaiden 4, the spectacle and set pieces ofThe Wonderful 101andVanquishdeveloper are on full display in the latest installment of theNinja Gaidenfranchise.
With series newcomer Yakumo executing manga-inspired Bloodbath Kill moves and using his dual blade to scale crumbling infrastructure, the blockbuster gameplay of PlatinumGames' DNA can be seen infused withNinja Gaiden’s themes and setting. In seemingly channeling some of the most entertaining aspects ofPlatinumGames' portfolio of titles, the environmental destruction and intimate lethality of combat inNinja Gaiden 4are set to be some of the titles' most endearing aspects.
3PlatinumGames' Multi-Stage Boss Design Returns
With Fixed Angles, Damaging Projectiles, & Dodgeable Attacks
With PlatinumGames' renown for creating a multitude of titles with boss battles that"keep players on their toes and sometimes take literal hours to finally defeat", the inclusion of two seemingly PlatinumGames-esque bosses in theNinja Gaiden 4reveal trailer may be indicative of the collaborative project’s focus.
With the gargantuan projectile-emanating boss of the trailer’s second half,Ninja Gaiden 4seemingly proposes that bosses may utilize theBayonettadeveloper’s celebrated style. Showing the red and white-colored boss fight shifting to a fixed camera, with an apparent focus on dodging the enemy’s rotating orb-like attacks,Ninja Gaiden 4’s development may well have looked to PlatinumGames to develop its titanic antagonists.
4The Showcasing Of Multiple Playable Characters
The Inclusion Of A Ninja Gaiden Legend & A Youthful Newcomer
Even in the 21st century, more than 500 years since the ninja’s inception, the idea of “their swift movements and powerful skills to slice up their enemies"has continued to emanate across the centuries. Since 1988, theNinja Gaidenseries has continued this Feudal era lineage with series staple protagonist Ryu Hayabusa.
However - with a decisive approach in attempting to"make the series more approachable”-Ninja Gaiden 4is positioned as following the lethal antics of another ninja warrior in Yakumo. Proclaimed as the “potential Master Ninja of the next generation”, Yakumo seemingly utilizes a more acrobatic and supernatural combat and movement style than the classicNinja Gaidenflag-bearer. However, with Ryu Hayabusa still slated to play a “pivotal role” inNinja Gaiden 4’s narrative, and the rival clan members crossing swords in the reveal trailer, theNinja Gaidenseries' pool of protagonists just got bigger.
5A Focus On Enhanced Movement
With Grappling Hooks, Swords Slowing A Descent, & Supernatural Wings
Althoughgrappling hooks, wall-running, and sword-climbingare not movement mechanics exclusive toNinja Gaiden 4, the multi-team development team pushes these items' potential for increased traversal to the forefront of the title’s advertising.
Seen in the installment’s reveal trailer, series newcomer Yakumo can be seen taking advantage of a grappling item to not only travel across far gaps but to quickly zip between parallel train tracks that can be seemingly balanced on at high speed. Bolstered byNinja Gaiden 4’s “enhanced verticality” compared to other titles in the series, the combat and exploration potential of the title’s increased movement is arguably endless.
6The Inclusion Of Eerie Supernatural Powers
Departing Natural Magic For Blood-Infused Incantations
Contrasting with Rya Hayabusa’s use of Ninpo Magic, which often revolves around the utilization of natural elements,Ninja Gaiden 4’s revealed protagonist Yakumo makes use of the supernatural power of the Bloodraven Form to unleash lethal magic on his enemies.
Seemingly manipulating"the blood of oneself and enemies", Yakumo is capable of forging blood-formed blades of immense deadliness that can not only bisect single opponents but clear a room of enemies. Compounded by Yahumo’s seeming ability to incorporate aBayonetta-esque dodge that can be used to inflict a flurry of devastating attacks on an enemy,Ninja Gaiden 4’s combat purportedly tweaks theNinja Gaidenseries' fighting style with an added layer of PlatinumGames-like style and supernatural abilities.
7A Continued Application Of Stealth
A Minute Yet Momentous Inclusion Of A Typical Ninja Trait
Despite the series' focus on the legendary figure of the ninja, whose sneaking subterfuge is one of its most recognizable characteristics, theNinja Gaidenfranchise has notably pivoted to an action-focused experience.
Regardless of the seriesseemingly ditching realistic stealthfor a more lethal take on the Feudal Japanese figure,Ninja Gaiden 4is seemingly retaining some covert-style gameplay. With theNinja Gaiden 4reveal trailer presenting series newcomer Yakumo dropping from a shadowy height to take down a member of the Divine Dragon Order, the series' apparent evasiveness of genuine stealth gameplay may well be at an end.
8The Continuation Of The Series' Red Orbs
Ryu Hayabusa’s Ninpo Powers Are Seemingly Still Powered By Floating Energy
While players won’t know how the mechanics ofNinja Gaiden 4’s combat will coalesce with Yakumo’s obliteration and ultimate techniques until the 2025 collaboratively-developed hack n' slash has been released, many elements ofNinja Gaidentitles of the past have been shown in the upcoming title’s initial reveal trailer.
Provided to the player upon the damaging and defeat of an enemy, differently colored orbs have charged Ryu Hayabusa’s spells, health, and currency in previousNinja Gaidentitles. As can be seen when Microsoft showcased Ryu’s inclusion inNinja Gaiden 4, red orbs providing Ki charges for the Master Ninja’s Ninpo spell can be seen floating on the ground and gravitating toward the player. Ultimately used for unleashing a range of elemental magic, the inclusion of orbs are seemingly not only a legacy inclusion but a way Team NINJA and PlatinumGames can create a difference between the two playable protagonists.
9A Distinctive Push For Cross Platform Availability
Despite Microsoft Publishing The Game, It Will Be Available On Other Consoles
Considering that"most of the big new multi-platform games released these days support crossplay"and that - despite some Xbox fans' outcry - Microsoft’s multiplatform strategy is"likely that it’s here to stay, considering the company’s recent efforts", it should be no surprise thatNinja Gaiden 4is being made available to most fans.
Revealed in the closing moments of theNinja Gaiden 4reveal trailer, the Microsoft-published title will not only be coming to the Xbox ecosystem through Xbox Game Pass but Steam and the PlayStation 5. Microsoft is most likely hoping thatNinja Gaiden 4’s inclusion on its game subscription service will provide a tangible boost to users, while Team NINJA head Fumihiko Yasuda has proudly stated that"we’re excited that more people will have the opportunity to experience"their work.
10The Mysterious Dark Dragon Is Still Alive
Despite Exuding A Poisonous Rain & Loitering In The Sky
Considering the Dark Dragon’s seeming destruction in the legacy titles of theNinja Gaidenfranchise, with its remains having been repurposed into both the legendary Dark Dragon Blade and the world’s various Dark Dragonstones, the vocal introduction of the Dark Dragon ofNinja Gaiden 4’s world-ending threat is a peculiar one.
With the Dark Dragon’s defeat established in the opening moments of theNinja Gaiden 4reveal, and the decaying properties of its body keeping the streets of cyberpunk Tokyo bathed in the Rain of Darkrot, the looming presence of the Dark Dragon is seemingly going to be present throughout the upcoming title’s runtime. Compounding the deity’s place within the narrative is the proclamation that not only will the Dark Dragon be a persistent menace, but “peace will not return to Tokyo until the rain comes to an end” - highlighting that Yakamo and Ryu Hayabusa’s ultimate goal will most likely be its katana-induced defeat.
