The announcement from Team NINJA about Ninja Gaiden 4 had the gaming community’s reactions… let’s say, rather varied. In the recent episode of the Official Xbox Podcast, the developers of the team familiarized the audience with the title and dropped the word about the DLC that would be released in early 2026 like it was some casual fact. What? 2026? Really? We are talking about paid extra content before the game is even out? Yes, that is the very issue that has split the Ninja Gaiden fandom at this moment.
So, the current state is – Team NINJA made a tweet about this podcast highlighting the upcoming DLC contents. The original tweet has some gorgeous pictures and makes gamers aroused for more ninja action. However, if you one glance at the comments, you will be exploring a totally different world.
The first feedback from the gaming community is nothing else but doubt. User T. Redgrave nailed it when he said: “Do you remember when you bought NG2 and the whole arsenal was available to Ryu? Now, it seems like you are going to your friend’s house and he will put the toy in front of you but only after you have paid him $20 for the accessory. Are you kidding me? Seriously?”
T. Redgrave is not the only one sharing this opinion. Another user Benva confronted Team NINJA directly: “The very first thing that talks negatively about the game is DLC. Maybe DLC was the content originally planned for the base game and, in order to get more money from the players, it has been cut?” Uh oh. This is very hard to swallow.
But opine vicariously, the situation is not only one drama going in these comments, it’s even more than in a reality show season. The Chinese-speaking gamers are not just dismayed about Ryu’s destiny in the game; they consider it virtually a way of using him to attract the old players to buy the game. The user jcjgame (translated from Chinese) stated: “Are they really using Ryu Hayabusa to trick old players into buying it? Even Yagyu can use Ryu’s move sets and they have spared Ryu’s life. Ryu is just roadside trash now?!” That’s a pretty harsh judgment on our favorite ninja!
User parpator expressed a likeable but still critical opinion: “Don’t get me wrong, however, is it right to label the whole thing…… uh….. ‘hauled’…. as speaking about DLCs when the game is not yet released? Optional content is always welcome but it should not come at the expense of releasing a complete and bug-free base game.”
On the positive side of things, there are indeed some players who are not totally negative about the situation. User Robin was especially grateful to the developers: “Thanks for such a great design with Ayane, even now I am more excited for the game.” It is quite expected that some fans do not want to miss the opportunity to get back to the world of ninjas and have the crazy combat skills.
Ryu Hayabusa’s character’s image is going to be the main issue that sparks heated debates among the players. User “trappy the lacky” and user “C0l3B0i” have taken opposite positions and an extensive argument about re-used animations vs. innovation is taking place between them. Trappy claimed that Ryu is “nothing new” while C0l3B0i in turn pointed out that new mechanics such as the Flash System and improved air combat make it lively. This went on for a number of comments with each side becoming more or less vocal about their stance.
What’s more, this DLC announcement has become a major point of gamers’ concerns about the gaming industry as a whole. The whole “games as a service” model against the “complete package” approach that the earlier Ninja Gaiden series exhibited. In another comment, user Benva explained the rationale behind it: “They are trying to get people to pay for a game but it would cause them to lose customers because the latter find it too expensive so they cut content off the base game making it 70$ and then try to sell you the rest for 10$ so they get 80$ in the end for it.”
And you know what? User Benva might just be right. The gaming industry has undoubtedly undergone a change towards a model where developers have already planned additional content even before the base game hits the market. But on the other hand, Ninja Gaiden has always been a hardcore, pure action experience that has stood apart from the trends. The fear of it being absorbed into other franchises, thus phasing out the hardcore players, has been the concern of long-timers.
The matter is, moreover, super embarrassing. Announcing DLC for a game that is not even finished yet? That’s like telling you about a dessert that’s going to be made for you when you haven’t been shown the rest of the menu yet. Just the wrong impression! It feels like they should be making the base game awesome first and then think of the extras to sell us.
Nevertheless, the excitement has a share among the criticisms. User “maximus5163” wrote “We need that DLC” along with prayer emoji indicating the user seems to be eagerly waiting for Team NINJA’s future plans for content.
This whole thing brings about larger queries concerning the future course of the Ninja Gaiden franchise. Is it death, rebirth, new era or just a small stroll through time? Are we getting better methods and techniques or just the same old content wrapped differently? The community is still split and the forthcoming announcement has only sharpened the debates.
It’s clear that the NINJA crew will have a tough job to do. They have to convince the skeptical gamers that they will indeed get their money’s worth with Diesel Gaiden 4, the base game and the add-ons together. The pressure is on to deliver something that is in line with the legendary reputation of the series while at the same time justifying the topic of early DLC.
As we eagerly wait for the release of the game and more news to come with it, one thing is for sure—the Ninja Gaiden community is still as loyal as ever. Whether that loyalty turns out to be in the form of excitement or disappointment, only time will tell. But for now, the conversation is definitely picking up steam and the voices of the community regarding the right direction for Ryu Hayabusa’s adventure are everywhere.
