After more than a decade of silence, Team Ninja has officially announced NINJA GAIDEN 4, marking the long-awaited return of one of gaming’s most legendary action franchises. Co-developed by Team Ninja and PlatinumGames and published by Xbox Game Studios, the new entry promises a modernized yet fiercely challenging evolution of the series that defined high-speed melee combat.
Release Date and Platforms
NINJA GAIDEN 4 is scheduled to launch on October 21, 2025, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC (via Steam and Microsoft Store). It will also be available day one on Xbox Game Pass, offering immediate access for subscribers.
This release marks the series’ first mainline installment in over 13 years, following 2012’s Ninja Gaiden 3.
A New Hero and a Returning Legend
The story introduces a new protagonist, Yakumo, a young ninja from the mysterious Raven Clan. Yakumo becomes the central figure in a new era of ninja warfare, set in a rain-soaked, demon-infested Tokyo consumed by a supernatural storm known as the Rain of Darkrot.
Series icon Ryu Hayabusa returns as a mentor, rival, and fully playable character, sharing the spotlight with Yakumo. The narrative explores the balance between tradition and evolution — the old master and the rising heir to the dragon’s legacy.
Gameplay and New Mechanics
NINJA GAIDEN 4 combines the speed, precision, and brutality fans love with innovations inspired by PlatinumGames’ fluid action systems. The combat features classic series techniques like the Izuna Drop and Flying Swallow, seamlessly blended with new mechanics.
Yakumo wields two combat styles:
- Raven Style, emphasizing agility, precision, and evasion.
- Nué Style is focused on heavy damage, counterstrikes, and dark energy attacks.
A new ability called the Bloodraven Form allows players to unleash devastating energy attacks during critical moments, temporarily amplifying speed and power.
Traversal has also been expanded — players can now swing between structures, run on walls, and use wire tools to explore large, vertical arenas. Every encounter is designed for speed, spectacle, and strategy.
Development Progress and Visual Direction
Developers report that the game is 70–80% complete and currently undergoing polishing. Built in Unreal Engine 5, NINJA GAIDEN 4 boasts dynamic weather systems, real-time lighting, and cinematic combat sequences that push the series’ trademark intensity to new heights.
The tone is darker and more cinematic than ever — a return to the series’ gritty roots, combining sharp blade combat with haunting supernatural elements.
What Makes It Special
- Dual Protagonists: Players experience two contrasting ninja philosophies — Yakumo’s raw energy versus Ryu’s mastery.
- Fast, fluid combat: Every slash, parry, and counter flows with next-gen precision.
- Cinematic scale: Epic boss battles set across a corrupted, neon-lit Tokyo.
- PlatinumGames collaboration: Ensures stylish, high-tempo combat sequences that reward skill and timing.
- Classic difficulty: True to its heritage, the game will challenge even veteran players.
Why Fans Are Excited
Fans have waited over a decade for NINJA GAIDEN 4, and the reveal delivered everything they hoped for: brutal combat, jaw-dropping visuals, and the return of Ryu Hayabusa. The introduction of Yakumo as a new generation of ninja adds fresh storytelling possibilities, while PlatinumGames’ involvement signals a smoother, more cinematic style of action without sacrificing the precision and punishment that made the series famous.
NINJA GAIDEN 4 is shaping up to be both a nostalgic revival and a bold new chapter — a reminder that no one cuts sharper than Team Ninja.