It’s time to buckle up, folks: the long-awaited news that we all have been waiting for is finally at hand: Ninja Gaiden 4 will arrive this fall on Day One on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Steam, AND Xbox Game Pass. That’s right; no more hearsay, no more “maybe next year” stuff, it’s them happening. Not that it needed the hype train to be packed anymore, but Game Pass certainly means that a good number of players will be slicing and dicing without ponying up much or anything.
What do we already know about? Not really much, but really-we’re honest; it’s Team Ninja. These fine chaps are the ones who have given birth to Nioh, Wo Long, and, of course, when we say Ninja Gaiden trilogy, pure hell. Anyone who ever touched any of those games knows these titles didn’t hold back: we mean combat brutality; some of the most fluid ninja action in the history of gaming. . . years of silence, unless Ryu Hayabusa was a guest in someone else’s game or appeared in Dead or Alive; and finally, the hardcore-action king makes a comeback.
At this hour, he had just provided best timings as character-action games had resurfaced and with Devil May Cry 5 and Bayonetta 3 reminding all why this genre matters, Ninja Gaiden 4 has indeed its grand stage to remind us all who did it first-and best. The very series that probably put the term “git gud” into play even before Dark Souls came around.
But ultimately, the burning question is: what will the gameplay be like? Total reboot? Immediate sequel to Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge? Or something completely different? No news so far on that account, but if recent Team Ninja work is any indication, expect ridiculously smooth combat full of even crazier combos, as well as at least one boss fight you’ll probably end up throwing the controller at.
Oh, and about Game Pass, let’s take a minute to discuss it? Microsoft must have dropped a bag on that deal because, dag, it does couple day-one access with a major multiplatform title like this on their service. Quite smart move for Team Ninja-more players equal more hype equals more word-of-mouth equals potential for a lot of really enthused new fans that have never before tasted the misery (and glory) of a Ninja Gaiden game.
PlayStation fans, chin up-right now, no one is leaving you out. The game is slating to release for PS5, which will run as smoothly as usual if past performance is any indication. Steam will be the same deal. In short, anywhere you play it, you will enjoy.
So mark your diaries (or at least start thinking about it) for this fall. Whether you have been around since the first day or are simply a poor newbie looking to jump into the lion’s den and test your reflexes, Ninja Gaiden 4 is sure going to be one of the biggest action games of the year. And if the rumor of a possible shadow drop at Summer Game Fest ends up being true? Oh boy, it’s going to get wild.
Now excuse me while I prepare by going through Ninja Gaiden Black for the fiftieth time. Because honestly, even half the punishment of originals doesn’t let any of us go scot-free.
