"NINJA GAIDEN 4" advance review. "Ninjaga" is a mix of modern action grammar. Experience new sword and drill-type weapons and play with Ryu Hayabusa

 

NINJA GAIDEN 4 is scheduled to be released by Microsoft (Xbox Game Studios) on October 21, 2025. Compatible with PlayStation 5 (PS5), Xbox Series X|S, and PC (Steam). It will also be compatible with Xbox Game Pass.

This is the latest title in Koei Tecmo Games' action game "NINJA GAIDEN" series. It is the first numbered title in 13 years since the previous title, and is a joint development between Koei Tecmo Games' Team NINJA and PlatinumGames, a company known for its action games.

Prior to the release, a trial game was held at Platinum Games, inviting media from various countries. In this article, we'll give you a sneak peek of the version in development. Since it is a version under development, the details may differ from the production version.

ble of contents

Experience early stage and boss battles

This time, I tried out Chapter 3 of the main game and a challenge mission where you can fight only the bosses that have appeared. From the new game, you can play up to Chapter 1, and the rest of the game can be experienced in Chapter Challenge, which is a challenging content where you can choose your favorite stage and compete for scores.

I'm a big fan of the NINJA GAIDEN series and love Team NINJA's action games. I also love the Bayonetta series of action games that PlatinumGames has worked on. Personally, I was surprised that the joint development between the two companies turned out to be a truly dream-like title.

If you look at the gameplay video, you can see that it contains action elements with a Keren flavor typical of Platinum Games, so you may not feel the "NINJA GAIDEN" series. After playing it, I personally felt that it was a title that sublimated the style of "NINJA GAIDEN" in a modern way and had a grammar typical of modern action games.

At least in terms of action, the character of "NINJA GAIDEN" has not been lost, and the high level of action that allows you to move around freely is not only intact, but also the best in the series.

Even in the series work, the finish to the boss was a highlight of the special todome production. While it is followed, it is also seasoned with a unique flavor of this work.

The story of the black dragon

The story is set in the near future after "NINJA GAIDEN 3". The main character is not Ryu Hayabusa, but Yakumo, a ninja in the village of crows. The player controls the Yakumo to progress through the game, but Ryu Falcons can also be controlled, and this time they also experienced playing Ryu Falcons (more on this later).

The key to the story is the black dragon that often appears in the series and has been resurrected or sealed. While completing her mission, Yakumo meets the black shrine maiden Seori. Both Yakumo and Seori are involved in the Black Dragon, and at Seori's suggestion, the Yakumo and the others will proceed with a bold strategy to "break the seal of the Black Dragon".

Yakumo (voiced by Yohei Azakami). He was very taciturn and could hardly see his face, but he could somehow tell that he was burning with his mission.

Probably the heroine Seori (voiced by Hana Takeda). As a shrine maiden related to the black dragon, she proposes a strategy to Yakumo. He has a friendly personality, but it doesn't seem to resonate with Yakumo.

There was also a collaborator named Misaki (voiced by Sho Hayami), who was probably related to Raven Village. He was a man whose story length was flawed, but I didn't really know what kind of position he was in.

At the beginning of the game, a rough synopsis is given. Rather than talking about Ryu Hayabusa's activities, it feels like a synopsis of the world as a whole. It's not explicitly stated, so I'm guessing from the voice, but the synopsis at the beginning sounded like the series character Ayane was talking.

Yakumo is a taciturn cool person, and he is a much blunt and calm man than Ryu Hayabusa, who is cool but has a passionate fighting spirit. From the conversation, it was said that if Hayabusa no Sato was a ninja with a front job, then the Raven Village was a family that did dirty back work.

The characters are very thick with Platinum Games blood, and they are wrapped in a different charm from the series, including enemies. As far as I experienced, I sometimes heard Ryu Hayabusa's name in the story, but I didn't know how it would be specifically related to the main story.

The enemy is the Ryujin Party, an organization that protects the seal of the Black Dragon. Dressed in white armor, they are like a battle group that wields a variety of weapons. In addition, so-called yokai "demons" also appear. Monsters such as Genie have appeared in the past, but they are enemies in roughly the same position.

The fox demon that appeared as an enemy was a bewitching but formidable enemy.

The story is drawn quite long and solid with cutscenes, but after playing Chapter 3, I got the impression that it was only sandwiched between key points, and it was also an action game that emphasized it.

Invincible Tutorial

Yakumo takes on a mission with Umi, a communication support role whose form is unknown but probably belongs to the Raven Village. At the beginning of the game, you can only understand the setting somehow, and there is a scene where the story is not told, and the battle is just done. It's a tutorial stage, but it's not made like the usual "let's hit the attack three times".

In addition to being able to perform actions freely, it is limited to the extent that the operation explanation somehow appears next to it. Occasionally, only important systems are explained in a window, so there is no impression that there are too many tutorials, and it may be against the times to be able to enjoy the fun of action from the start of the game, but it was rather a good impression.

And NINJA GAIDEN 2I was surprised to find that it felt like the series and could be controlled as it is (NINJA GAIDEN 3 has a different form of action, which is closer to NINJA GAIDEN 2). Of course, there are differences such as the new action and system, and the ability to lock on enemies in the first place, but the feeling is that the fun of moving Ryu Hayabusa is the same.

However, there are so many systems that there is a lot to learn. Apart from the tutorial, the game also has a training mode that can be played from the stage, and if you meet Tyran, another raven shinobi, along the way, you can learn the detailed action system and take on practical training.

Even if there is a place to practice later, those who are new to the series will have to take on this tutorial period without knowing what to do in the first stage. However, at first, even the Yakumo's health bar is not displayed, so the Yakumo does not fall.

I felt that the drastic introduction around here was a message such as "Anyway, attack a lot and enjoy a pleasant action game!"

In addition, regarding physical strength, the "necrosis" that was in the series works, which reduces maximum health, has been eliminated, so there is no longer a difficulty of gradually being cornered while conquering stages. As a result, I got the impression that the enemy's attack was a pain in the ass.

The unique "Ninjaga" action is modern

The action is a system typical of "NINJA GAIDEN" where you use light and heavy attacks to defeat enemies while guarding and evading (backwind). Weak and weak...... It is also a familiar element that you can use a combination of buttons or commands to create a variety of techniques.

As a fan of the series, I was surprised that the battle was well seasoned with the system, and the player was able to clearly visualize what to aim for and how to attack.

The "NINJA GAIDEN" series has had various systems so far, but there was very little specific talk from the game side about how to defeat the enemy or how to fight to gain an advantage, and it was a title that seemed to be challenged by the game side saying, "Let's attack it!"

Of course, there are some things that were prepared by the game to some extent, such as the "special move" that fires a super combo by accumulating, and the finishing action "Annihilation" that allows you to defeat an enemy with a missing part in one blow after "NINJA GAIDEN 2", but I get the impression that there was little theoretical in the attack and defense.

destruction

There are techniques that players have learned or created among players, but these actions are not prepared by the game side as a means to attack the game (although I think we have assumed it).

"NINJA GAIDEN 4" is much easier to understand, and the battles have a lot of sharpness. Because you can fight systematically, your coolness is doubled. The scenes where you somehow don't take damage or become obsessed with some kind of action have decreased considerably. Of course, I think it depends on the player's fighting, but I had the impression that there were few scenes where it was difficult to break through if you didn't do that.

Conversely, you may feel that you have less freedom, but that is not the case. The unique linkages (so-called combos) that have been created so far in the "NINJA GAIDEN" series are like replayable elements for advanced players, and we were able to create various combinations with shuriken and other tools. In this game, it remains possible.

In addition, it is possible to continue to use the powerful technique "Hiyan" that jumps on the opponent anyway, which is typical of the "NINJA GAIDEN" series. Golden linkages such as wall running (shadowless legs) → Fei Yan'→ landing technique are also alive and well. There is also a great move that uses a healable blood clot (which is the essence of the old game) that drops from enemies. In this way, I felt that "NINJA GAIDEN 4" was a modern action game with new elements in the "NINJA GAIDEN 2"-like action.

blood clot

In particular, boss battles are more fun than ever. The boss battles in the series were mainly about attacking using patterns, and rather than exhilarating action, there were many suffocating battles about whether or not you could accurately make a fixed move. That has improved, or rather, I have the impression that he is now able to fight in style when he is required to fight in a suffocating manner.

New Just-based Actions

Specifically, the presence of various new defensive actions is strong. Until now, most of the defense methods have been guarding, dodging (back wind), and using invincibility time.

In addition to that, the game now allows you to Just Guard, Just Dodge, and Repel. The guard prevents enemy attacks, but it has a performance such as "you can guard up to 0 times in a row", and with Just Guard, there is no limit to the number of times. Also, after Just Guard, you can immediately move on to another action.

When you launch an attack, it becomes a just-counter attack from the Shast Guard, and it is characterized by the fact that the opponent's posture is lost and heavy damage can be inflicted. In the same way, Just Dodge can be used to attack Just Counter.

Actions such as Just Guard →Just Evasion are also possible.

In addition, if your attack engages with the opponent's attack, you can bounce back. It can be aimed at and bounced, and it may explode accidentally during an attack. This can also be transitioned to a just counter-like technique.

The timing of the transition is a bit severe, and just countering is not the best action. If you send it out while the enemy is not afraid, the counter attack may be crushed as it is (although it is difficult to occur with just guard or bounce).

By clearly defining the offensive and defensive aspects of this area, it is now possible to defeat the enemy with brilliant defensive actions during speedy action. This area is still a Platinum Games seasoning. However, the fact that this game is not just a game that you just have to aim for is the part where I felt that this game is a work in the "NINJA GAIDEN" series.

To begin with, the game's speed is extremely fast, and it is a game that is difficult to conquer unless you keep moving and standing around, regardless of whether you are attacking or defending. Moving freely and playing an active role as a "super shinobi" is the secret to the strategy, and it is the real pleasure of this work.

Missing the opponent's part and bringing it to "annihilation" is still the basic flow. By the way, the gory expression is as lacking as "NINJA GAIDEN 2 BLACK". Personally, I didn't feel it was gross, but I felt it was even more comical because it has one of the highest blood volumes in the series and covers the screen.

Although it is difficult as an action game, the "hero mode" that guards you with auto is still alive and well, so don't worry if you are not good at it but want to follow the story and worldview.

Changing weapons, Yakumo's Art

Another new action is the "Nuekata", which is linked to Yakumo's weapon. When you attack, the blood wedge gauge accumulates. In the case of "Annihilation", the amount of gauge recovery is very large.

Yakumo's default equipment is the two-sword "Kijin Takeminakata", and with the normal attack action (Raven Shape) attack, it can produce a simple, easy-to-handle speedy attack. It has a roughly similar image to Ryu Hayabusa's dragon sword.

The Nue's form is a stance that can be used when there is a blood wedge gauge, and if you attack while the Nue's kata, the two swords will change into one sword. It is a weapon that is powerful but has a large gap, and can be increased by pressing and holding a button.

The weapon in this game is characterized by having two types of performance in one depending on the type of noodle. Moreover, just because you use a gauge does not mean that it is high-performance, and it is interesting that it is difficult to handle unless you carefully determine how to use it.

It can be used in a normal fight, but it can also be used in a variety of ways, such as returning with a noodle-type move when just countering, going from a normal attack to an aerial combo, and then shifting to a noodle-type in the middle.

Another sword that I was able to use this time was the "Goumaya Tosen", which is good at dashing power during normal times. There are many attacks that charge at the enemy, and you can fight while closing the distance between you and the opponent. And the shape of the cormorant transforms into a huge drill-like spear. You can rotate the drill by pressing and holding the button, and the enemy will continue to attack.

Descending Demon Night Sword

When the noodle-shaped attack is launched in conjunction with the enemy's glowing red attack (strong attack), it becomes a "breakdown" that becomes a counter attack. Enemies who were hit by a breakdown often faltered for a certain period of time. In addition, the noodle-shaped attack also has the effect of breaking the enemy's guard, so it can be a breakthrough if it is guarded. If you look at the words alone, you may think, "Oh, it's a common "look-and-hit counterattack action," but in reality, it's a little different.

The moment you break the guard.

I think I can respond if the reaction is serious, but the grace period is quite short. Also, since the type of cormorant has many large swings, it may not be possible to make it in time even if it reacts suddenly (although it may be because it was a large sword or drill weapon that could be used).

Therefore, when aiming for a breakdown as a counter, it is more effective to read the enemy's actions and use it, and I felt that it was designed so that you could aim for a chance to deal heavy damage when you finished reading it. Of course, in the case of normal enemies, you may be able to break down after seeing them, but in boss battles, it is difficult to guess unless you "read" them to make a strong attack. The fact that it is made so that it doesn't become a strategy like "I just need to do this", including the specifications of the breakdown attack, was very rewarding as an action game.

In addition, a new action "Killing" is now available. This is like a trump card, and if activated when the kill gauge is full to its maximum, it will be in a Rampage state. During the Killing state, if you hit an enemy with a specific attack with the Nue type, you can activate "Blood Kill" that can kill the enemy in one blow in any state.

Although it is a trump card, it is also easy to use, such as the need to figure out which one is a bloodkill move. There is also an activation method such as "Bloodkilling", which bloodkills nearby enemies more easily, so bloodkilling seems to be more convenient for beginners.

In addition, the weapon could be freely switched during the action. In previous works, it was possible to change weapons during battle, but since it was a change with a pose menu, it was impossible to link while changing weapons. In this game, you can change it even after attacking, so you will have more range of links. Moreover, there were four weapon slots. Maybe you can fight while changing the four weapons at will.

As far as I can play, Yakumo does not have ninjutsu attacks like Ryu Hayabusa. Ninpo has been treated like a so-called bomb in the series so far, and has been an emergency evasion method that can be used in case of danger, or an element used for specific attacks. That role will probably be a mass murder in this work. For reference, the only long-range weapon was shuriken in the trial game, but it is unknown if there are others.

The "Ninjaga" character laid out

Although many new elements were incorporated, I could feel the uniqueness of the "NINJA GAIDEN" series from each section.

Of course, the "decapitation throw" that throws the opponent away and cuts off the head if you are lucky is still alive and well, and in this work, it can be used as one of the linkage parts, such as throwing it at the enemy to involve the enemy, or aiming for a follow-up attack by yourself from the decapitation throw.

While using wall running (shadowless legs), the movement action to avoid pitfalls is also the same. The "Asuka return" that climbs to a high place with a continuous wall jump was so fast that I laughed. Rather, it has evolved, and this game featured more scenes like ninjas moving quickly.

No shadow foot

A familiar gap. Yakumo climbs up while bouncing at high speed.

For example, the new element, Tobikera, is an action that allows you to swing with a wire hook or grab enemies and walls in the air to move. It is also possible to fight by moving up and down, which is more like a ninja.

Just send a flying cricket to an enemy with an icon, and it will fly on the spot.

It is also a field movement action.

There is also an action gimmick that slides on rails and moves. It's cool to be able to do this stylishly with quick movements, and it's just the right chopstick rest for battle action. The sharpness between the stages is effective (I think it will be a little troublesome when you play the stage over and over again).

There is also a ninja-like part called "ninja", and if you go behind the enemy when you are not found, or if you jump from the air, you can assassinate the enemy. Depending on the location of the stage, you may be able to break through with stealth skills without being found. The jumping attack is reminiscent of the "flying squirrel dive" in "NINJA GAIDEN 3". However, there is only one thing. Even if the enemy finds you, when the yakumo says something like, "If you defeat it, there will be no problem," you will say, "That's right!!" I thought. This is a ninja.

By the way, in the previous series of works, the field was a bit cramped, or even if there were steps, it was basically impossible to climb. In this work, it is possible to climb most of the places you can see, allowing for more three-dimensional exploration. If you go to a place you wouldn't normally go, you may find a challenge mission hidden. It was a fairly sharp content of "fighting to see how much to reduce your maximum health", so it must be worth doing.

There's also sliding, but it's a field action. I couldn't try it, but I wonder if it can be used in battle.

Movement on the ground has been simplified and fast-moving, with the addition of a dash, so you can move faster without having to do any special operations. Fans of the series may think that that's not enough, but don't worry. Back wind→ Jump →back wind...... Not only is the movement method alive and well, but it is faster than dashing. If anything, it's even faster than the jump movement → the back wind so far. I was able to move around at super high speed even if I repeated only the "wind drive" of the homing jump, so there may be a faster way to move.

In addition, the enemies have a strong sense of the series, and there are many enemies that remind me of the troublesome past, such as enemies that shoot missile launchers from a distance. After the enemy's part defect is activated, the sight of the enemy grabbing and unleashing an attack with the intention of self-destructing is an element that will make fans grin.

In addition, this time, various techniques were released from the beginning, but in reality, the mechanism is to consume points and release them. I was able to learn from my senior's shinobi, Tyran. By the way, items are purchased through a terminal called Yatagarasu. On the terminal, you could receive submissions called "ninjutsu", and you could earn money if you achieved them in the stage.

Shinobu is like one of the goals you should aim for on stage, even if you don't have to do it. It seems to be involved in stage evaluation, so it is a sub-element that is useful for training.

Ryu Hayabusa!

In addition to chapter challenges where you challenge specific chapters to compete for rank and score, as well as challenge missions that challenge bosses or themes, the challenging elements that you can enjoy mainly after clearing them are familiar to the series.

In the challenge, Ryu Hayabusa was also able to use it. It is said that it will be the first show in the trial game for the media. The falcon basically has the same performance as "NINJA GAIDEN 2", and I was able to use the dragon sword in the test play. It is unknown whether other weapons can be used. Compared to the falcon in the previous work, the falcon in this work looks quite massive (although Yakumo may be a slightly petite character with thin lines).

Yakumo basically doesn't shout too loudly during battle, but the falcon is still full of spirit. The way he runs around the battlefield with "Wow!" has a pleasant and gentle (compliment) familiar to the series. Ryu Hayabusa's voice is of course Hideyuki Hori.

The "Iizuna Drop", which floats enemies and slams them to the ground, is also alive and well. Yakumo can also be used.

While keeping the basic actions, new actions such as Just Dodge and Just Guard, which Yakumo could use, can also be used with Hayabusa. For those who don't know about the falcon, it can be imagined as a power character that is almost the same as a yakumo.

Treasure chests are opened with your feet. This is a falcon. This is Team NINJA. Yakumo also kicks.

Since the noodle mold belongs to Yakumo, the falcon can instead perform a technique from a special stance called "Senka". It didn't seem to have as much variety of actions as the noodle type, which changed weapons, but it was able to unleash a variety of attacks, such as a barrage of attacks and multiple angle-of-effect attacks. It's simple but easy to use, and it's like a new action.

The effects vary, but he was able to wipe out multiple enemies with his flash technique.

The fact that you need a gauge to pull out a Senka technique is roughly the same as Yakumo. However, the Hayabusa's gauge had another use, and the "ninpo" that could deliver powerful blows was set like a weapon slot. Two types of bullets could be used: the highly powerful "Flame Dragon" and the "Dark Pole Heavy Wave Bullet" that penetrated horizontally. The usage is roughly the same as in the series titles, but the individuality is emphasized, and I had the impression that it was relatively easier to shoot than conventional ninjutsu because you only need to accumulate a gauge.

Flame Dragon

Dark Bomb

By the way, in the case of Yakumo, the "Asuka Return" that climbed the wall repeatedly made a super-high-speed jump without shouting. In the case of falcons, "Ha! Huh! Huh! Wow!" He returned Asuka with a familiar shout and a familiar sense of tempo. Supreme.

I could feel from various places that this small "Ryu Hayabusa-ness" was made with great care. Maybe it's just a bit of a bonus playable character like Rachel and Konoha, but it's still very nice to be able to enjoy Ryu Hayabusa's majesty with a PlatinumGames-like flavor. By the way, the shop's special communication machine Yatagarasu has also changed to the familiar Muramasa shop in the case of Hayabusa operation. "Hey Rasshay!" a familiar voice greeted Muramasa.

We can't wait for the release!

This time, I was able to experience two boss battles in the boss challenge. I tried it on "super ninja" difficulty, but it boasts a high level of difficulty that will kill you if you get hit by 2~3 attacks. However, it is not unreasonably difficult like in past works, and it is made so that it can be attacked if you deal with it properly. I feel that this is because the basic system part has been added.

It may be that he was used to the original series, but thanks to the arrangements, he was able to defeat two bosses of "super shinobi" difficulty in the media trial this time. I honestly thought that I shouldn't have done it with a limited trial time (because it was difficult), but it was because I tried Super Ninja many times that I was able to understand the offense and defense of close combat.

What I want you to rest assured is that if it's normal difficulty, it's not a "death game" as a whole. You may fall down a little in boss battles, but basically it is an action game where you can enjoy exhilarating battles like super shinobi. At least, the range of the early stages I experienced.

While there are challenging parts that come to defeat the player, the emphasis on ease of play and exhilaration can be conveyed in many parts of the game. For example, if the game continues to be over, it will supply recovery items. I'm also happy that the senior ninja Tyran goes out of his way to give it to me.

The training mode is also a great factor for both beginners and advanced users. While looking at the command list, you can come up with various techniques. By the way, details such as whether the probability of missing parts of each technique is low or high were also written.

When asked about the world view of "NINJA GAIDEN", there are many places that think that the game is developed by Platinum Games because it has a slightly comic taste and is stylish. I think it's the charm of the series, or rather, Ryu Hayabusa himself, but he doesn't feel like he's doing it seriously, but he doesn't feel like it's a little funny, so in that respect, series fans may be disappointed.

The game part is perfect as an action game. I was probably able to experience it at the very beginning of the entire game, and there were some elements that I couldn't experience, such as the feeling of the growth element, but through the stage capture, I was able to feel the character of "NINJA GAIDEN" as an action game. Still, there are few unreasonable elements such as camera work, making it easy to play. As a player, I didn't mind that the camera was pulled back to make it easier to fight, but the screenshots and gameplay footage may give the impression of being small.

As far as I experienced, it was especially fun with a large number of enemies. Even enemy soldiers alone will rush in at you, so the more you can control it, the more you should be able to enjoy the power of "Super Shinobi". It will probably get even more difficult as the chapters progress. I wonder if there will be some strong dogs, if there will be sniping with explosive bows, if the boss will fire a series of unreasonable throws, if there will be enemies who attach exploding shurikens......

On the results screen, rank points are lowered not only by the number of game overs, but also by the number of items used. The evaluation criteria for this area were like a fusion of Team NINJA titles and Platinum Games titles. By the way, there was also a no-damage clear judgment.