So, gamers, what’s a hype moment if not a Geoff Keighley special? Ninja Gaiden 4 will grace the Opening Night Live along with Gamescom next Tuesday. That’s right, Ryu Hayabusa is back, filled with reason to still strike terror. The stream starts at 8:00 PM CEST, 2:00 PM ET, 11:00 AM PT while on the West Coast. It’s pretty much set on your calendaring apps and alarms.
Your reactions are, well… unusual. Some players say it is the Game of the Year (cough @WarriYah7 cough), while others are side-eyeing the fact that Ryu might not have any weapons. Yep, it seems our guy will only have a sword this time, worrying poor souls (ahem players) that this is going to repeat what Ninja Gaiden 3 did wrong. @FoxJupi actually stated that the “Itagaki secret sauce” might be missing, and honestly? That’s a really big concern. From the time the original creator, Tomonobu Itagaki left Team NINJA, he hasn’t really been setting the world on fire if we consider his crypto-gaming project currently stuck in limbo.
There is some goodwill there, though: appreciation will shower upon anything if old characters such as Ayane and Hayate make a return. @Krerart is over here manifesting Ayane confirmation as if it is already a done deal, and honestly, we stand behind her. Team NINJA has been teasing insane weapon mechanics, Yatousen rapier being able to morph into a drill, do we have your attention now? Pre-order perks will be alternate costumes because, you know, these ninja games have gotta look fresh.
And thus chaos ensued. @MaidenCynical just screamed “YE BOOOOIII” into the void-once many in the glib are coming down. Meanwhile, @2sallads is trolling saying, “There is no such thing as Ninja Gaiden 4.” Okay, buddy. Sure. Tell that to the trailer.
Afterward, the debate of Phantom Blade Zero vs Ninja Gaiden 4 happened. @BetoncuBerat said they’d go with Phantom Blade Zero if both dropped the same day, which is… A bold take. But hey, to each their own. Maybe they’re just really digging the Sekiro-style parry life. (Though, as @realwiggerswag pointed out, Ninja Gaiden has had counterattacks since 2004. Get your facts straight, Andy.)
So, what’s the verdict? Ninja Gaiden 4 could either be the triumphant return of a legendary franchise or yet another stumble in a series that has seen its highs and lows. Either way, we’re finding out next Tuesday. Will Ryu reclaim the royal title of being the ultimate ninja, or will weapons be as scarce as some fear? And most importantly, will we get a playable Ayane? Stay tuned to find out.
In the meantime, let’s all mentally scream “RYU HAYABUSA!” alongside @AlfredoVasini and pray this doesn’t become another Ninja Gaiden 3. Please, we have suffered enough.
