For the last few years now, Xbox's Developer Directs have been a great way to kick off the year for the video game industry, highlighting a handful of Xbox projects, and showing some of the faces behind the magic. 2025's Xbox Developer Direct was a particularly strong one, thanks in no small part to the surprise announcement of Ninja Gaiden 4.
The first mainline Ninja Gaiden entry in 13 years, Ninja Gaiden 4's announcement was a big deal for fans, and based on the interviews in the Developer Direct, it's a big deal for Team Ninja as well. But Team Ninja isn't the only studio working on Ninja Gaiden 4. Parent company Koei Tecmo has worked some of its magic to bring Team Ninja and PlatinumGames together, two studios whose philosophies seem like a perfect pairing in general, and a natural fit for the Ninja Gaiden franchise.
How the Ninja Gaiden Franchise is Fighting a War on Two Fronts
It's been over a decade since the last Ninja Gaiden game released, and now the franchise is getting ready to take the gaming world on two fronts.
Ninja Gaiden 4's Developers Are a Match Made in Heaven
PlatinumGames' Trademark Fast-Paced Action Is Perfectly Suited to Ninja Gaiden
When industry legends like Shinji Mikami, Hideki Kamiya, Tatsuya Minami, and Atsushi Inaba all left Capcom in the 2000s, they founded two separate studios: Seed Inc. And Odd Inc. Eventually, these studios merged in 2007 to become PlatinumGames. The first few years of PlatinumGames' life were incredibly busy, with the studio producing the Wii-exclusive MadWorld and Bayonetta both in 2009, quickly followed by Vanquish in 2010.
These first three games essentially set the tone for PlatinumGames' future, offering fast-paced combat, hyper-stylized action, and plenty of over-the-top visuals and narrative elements. This identity was further cemented with Metal Gear Rising: Revengence's release in 2013.
Though PlatinumGames has continued to experiment with a few different forms of gameplay over the years, and has even dabbled in a few licenses such as Transformers, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and even Star Fox, its most well-regarded games have often been those that stick with the fast-paced action the studio is best known for. A type of action that perfectly suits the Ninja Gaiden formula.
Team Ninja Has Been Working on Ninja Gaiden For Over Two Decades
Though Team Ninja wasn't the studio that created Ninja Gaiden, it's become synonymous with the action-adventure franchise, having been the driving force behind the series for the last 20 years. T eam Ninja's 2004 Ninja Gaiden reboot broke new ground for the series, and though the sequels that released in the following years weren't as well received at the time, they've since become core parts of the franchise's identity.
In the decade-long hiatus between Ninja Gaiden 3's release and now, Team Ninja has kept itself busy. From games based on pre-established franchises like Hyrule Warriors and Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3, to brand-new, original IP releases like Nioh, Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty, and last year's Rise of the Ronin, Team Ninja has continued to hone its craft and expand its scope. Now it's ready to apply all of that experience to Ninja Gaiden 4, something that will hopefully result in the release of the biggest and best Ninja Gaiden entry yet.
Ninja Gaiden 4
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 82 /100 Critics Rec: 83%
- Released
- October 21, 2025
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language, Suggestive Themes
- Developer(s)
- Platinum Games, Team Ninja, Koei Tecmo Games Co., Ltd.
- Publisher(s)
- Xbox Game Studios
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.
- Number of Players
- Single-player
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
