Summary
Phil Spencer, the CEO of Xbox parent Microsoft Gaming, has revealed that the recently announcedNinja Gaiden 4is a project the console maker first pushed for at least six years ago.Ninja Gaiden 4is the long-awaited sequel to 2012’sNinja Gaiden 3and is set to arrive in 2025 for Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC.
After wrapping up a scintillating 2024 with the release ofIndiana Jones and the Great Circle, Xbox looks intent on continuing its run of form based on what fans have seen during its latest Developer Direct event. Besides showcasing the gameplay of the highly anticipatedDoom: The Dark Ages, the livestream shared a couple of major announcements related to theNinja Gaidenfranchise. Not only was aremaster of 2008’sNinja Gaiden 2revealedand shadow-dropped simultaneously, developer Team Ninja also provided a look atNinja Gaiden 4, the first mainline game in the series in 13 years. However, at least one of these reveals from the Japanese studio is apparently something Xbox had originally pitched several years ago.
In aGamertag Radiointerview, Phil Spencer said that Team Ninja and Platinum Games,Ninja Gaiden 4’s developers, are among the teams he has been in contact with for an “awful long time.” He continued that the newly announced sequel from the Japanese developer is the culmination of Xbox having “knocked on some doors” with the idea “like six-seven years ago.” Furthermore, the Xbox head underlined his satisfaction with finally getting to show the plan that was set in motion a long time back and seeing the fan response to the same, labeling the experience “fantastic.”
Xbox Pitched Ninja Gaiden’s Revival Years Ago, Plans to Continue Similar Collaboration with Japanese Devs
As it turns out, fans of Team Ninja’s IP have Xbox to thank forNinja Gaidengetting another mainline entry, owing to the green brand’s increased involvement in Japan over recent years. Talking about the console giant’s partnership with Japan-based studios, Spencer said, “I love to see the progress that we’ve made.” Committing to continue on the same path, he stated that there’s “more work to do” on that front and also called it something that he intends to “stay focused” on.
WithNinja Gaiden 2 Blackbeing out already, fans now look forward to two moreNinja Gaidentitles slated for release in 2025. In addition toNinja Gaiden 4,Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound, aspin-off game showcased at The Game Awards 2024, is also planned to come out later this year. Notably, while the remaster and the sequel both make use of high-fidelity visuals, the spin-off game offers a retro experience with its pixel-based graphics.
WHERE TO PLAY
The definitive ninja hack & slash franchise returns with NINJA GAIDEN 4! Embark on a cutting-edge adventure where legacy meets innovation in this high-octane blend of style and no-holds-barred combat.
Return of the Legend: Experience a return to the intense, high-speed combat that established NINJA GAIDEN as a premier action game series. Prepare for a legacy reborn with captivating style for a new generation of players.
Epic Hack and Slash Combat, Evolved: NINJA GAIDEN 4 fuses Team NINJA’s tempered combat philosophy with the stylish, dynamic action gameplay of PlatinumGames. Engage in visually stunning combat that rewards precision and strategy. Use Bloodbind Ninjutsu to transform your weapons and unleash devastation upon your enemies, alongside legacy techniques like the Izuna Drop and Flying Swallow. The legendary Ryu Hayabusa also returns with a revamped yet familiar set of tools to master. With a customizable player experience, NINJA GAIDEN 4 will push action game veterans to their limits while allowing newcomers to enjoy a heart-pounding adventure full of twists and turns.
An Ancient Enemy Returns: An endless rain of miasma hangs over a near-future Tokyo in the wake of an ancient enemy’s resurrection. The fate of the city lies in the hands of young ninja prodigy, Yakumo. Fighting his way through cybernetic ninja soldiers and otherworldly creatures, Yakumo must reconcile a destiny he shares with the legendary Ryu Hayabusa himself and free Tokyo from the ancient curse that brought the city to its knees.
