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Ninja Gaiden has been a staple of the gaming world for decades, and the few truly exceptional entries in the series are enough to prove just how high-quality this franchise really is. I’d even go as far as to say that there isn’t a serious gamer out there who hasn’t played at least one Ninja Gaiden title.
Well, every rule has its exception. Despite considering myself a dedicated gamer with years of experience, Ninja Gaiden 4 is actually the first game in the series I’ve played from start to finish. Guilty as charged; feel free to judge me as much as you want.
Honestly, I’m not even sure why I never got around to it. Perhaps I just didn’t feel like it, or perhaps I never had the chance, but somehow, the Ninja Gaiden games completely slipped under my radar. I’ve played plenty of titles developed by Team Ninja, especially their Souls-like projects, but Ninja Gaiden itself? Not until now.
This sequel felt like the perfect opportunity to finally dive in. And you’re probably expecting me to say something like, “Wow, I had no idea what I was missing!” Well, you know what? Wow, I had no idea what I was missing. Ninja Gaiden is exactly the kind of game I didn’t know I needed, one that fills a void I’d been feeling for a long time.
Story
As I’ve already mentioned, Ninja Gaiden 4 is my first experience with the series, and you might think that means I had to dig through countless wiki pages just to make sense of the lore: who’s who, what’s what, and how everything connects. But you’d be wrong. Although Ninja Gaiden 4 is very much part of the larger Ninja Gaiden universe, the story here is surprisingly easy to follow.
You don’t need any prior knowledge to keep up with what’s going on. Of course, being familiar with the previous games wouldn’t hurt, but the story is told in such a clear and accessible way that newcomers, such as myself, can jump right in without ever feeling lost.
This is the story of Yakumo, a young ninja from the Raven Clan, a branch of the legendary Hayabusa Clan, direct descendants of the Dragon Lineage. After a series of tragic events that transformed the once-thriving and modern city of Tokyo into a realm haunted by ghosts and fiends, chaos reigned when certain individuals attempted to resurrect the Dark Dragon. Fortunately, Ryu Hayabusa (the iconic protagonist of the previous Ninja Gaiden titles) managed to seal it away once again, with the crucial help of the priestess Seori.
When Yakumo discovers that his unique bloodline holds the power to destroy the Dark Dragon once and for all, he joins forces with Seori and sets out on a mission to free Tokyo from its curse and restore it to the shining metropolis it once was.
The premise of the story is fairly straightforward at first, but as expected, there are those who wish to keep things the way they are (the wealth, the power, and all that). From there, the story grows into a full-fledged ninja saga, one that feels straight out of the iconic ninja movies of the ’80s and ’90s, the very movies that made us fall in love with ninjas and learn everything we thought we knew about them as kids.
The overall production quality plays a major role in making the story even greater than it is. The voice acting, at least in the English version (I haven’t tried the Japanese one yet), is excellent across the board. Even though the full cast list hasn’t been officially revealed, a few familiar voices are easy to recognise. Special praise goes to the actress behind Seori; her performance is outstanding and adds real emotional depth to the character.
The facial animations, at least for the characters not hidden behind ninja masks, are impressive as well and add a great deal of weight to the overall presentation. Whether it’s a cutscene or actual gameplay, the entire experience feels remarkably cinematic.
Gameplay
As much as the story matters in a game like this, it’s the gameplay that truly takes centre stage, and in that regard, Ninja Gaiden 4 absolutely shines. From the fluid parkour and lightning-fast ninja agility to the combat that’s nothing short of a masterpiece, every aspect of the gameplay feels right at home. Every encounter, every movement, every slash of the blade is designed to blow your mind away.
Let’s start with the most logical place: the combat. The fighting system in this game is nothing short of perfection. The controls are incredibly responsive, and the sheer number of combos and techniques available is genuinely impressive. Once you get a hang of the fluidity of the mechanics, all the on-screen chaos quickly turns into something almost artistic: a beautifully choreographed storm of blades and blood, a bloody symphony that feels both chaotic and deliberate at the same time.
The combat is chaotic, fast-paced, and drenched in blood and gore, so if you have a weak stomach, this might not be the game for you. I’ll admit it took me a while to get used to the speed, but once it clicked, the combos just flowed endlessly.
The only minor drawback is the complexity of the system: the protagonist has three different states, each with its own set of moves, plus multiple weapons, each with unique techniques. With so much to master, it’s nearly impossible to try everything, so most players will naturally stick to the moves they know, leaving a lot of potential combos and techniques largely unexplored.
When it comes to weapons, Yakomo wields four in total, each tied closely to the story. His primary and iconic weapons are the dual katanas, Takeminakata. Then there’s the Yatousen, a massive sword that can also transform into a drill in certain forms. The Magatsuhi serves as both a staff and a giant hammer, while the Kage-Hiruko is a deadly set of ninja tools, each bringing its own unique style and strategy to combat.
Yakomo can fight in three distinct forms, each with its own style and impact. In his base form, attacks are weaker but incredibly fast. In Bloodraven form, he wields a special sword with devastating power, though it consumes a special gauge. The third, Berserker mode, turns Yakomo into a force of pure destruction, unleashing chaos on the battlefield. Switching between these forms during combat makes every fight dynamic, intense, and often unpredictable, keeping you constantly on your toes.
New combo moves can be purchased at a special location and immediately tested in the training arena, which, by the way, is highly recommended. Of course, if you prefer, you can practise all your combo moves anytime, giving you plenty of freedom to master Yakomo’s full arsenal at your own pace.
Apart from combat, movement in Ninja Gaiden 4 is an absolute joy, true to the ninja spirit. Wall running, wall jumping, sliding along rails, and using the grappling hook - all the classic ninja manoeuvres are here, executed with impressive precision and fluidity.
The level design is fantastic, though it does have some repetition. In particular, the final few stages reuse layouts and boss encounters with only minor adjustments. I won’t go into specifics to avoid spoilers, but this repetition could be considered a small drawback in an otherwise impressive design.
Speaking of bosses, they are meticulously designed, and every encounter is a highlight, offering intense and memorable battles. That said, the game truly shines at medium or hard settings. While easy mode presents some challenge, the real test of skill comes on the higher difficulties. After completing the game, you unlock an additional difficulty level, along with extra rewards, adding even more replay value.
In addition to the bosses, you’ll face waves of ordinary enemies, which are numerous and highly varied, keeping combat fresh and engaging. One minor drawback, though some may disagree, is the campaign’s length. Depending on difficulty and playstyle, it lasts around eight to ten hours, which could feel short for some, though it felt just right to me. The game is divided into nineteen, fairly linear levels.
Beyond the main story, there’s also room for exploration. Scattered throughout the levels are numerous chests, mostly containing consumables, but occasionally offering items to upgrade health or other attributes. There are also special areas called Purgatories, where you face waves of enemies for valuable rewards. Additionally, a dedicated hub allows you to take on side quests, which typically involve defeating a set number of enemies or hunting down specific targets.
Overall, the gameplay in Ninja Gaiden 4 is surprisingly rich, even if at first it seems like there isn’t much to do. Once you dive into its world, the excitement and fun are practically guaranteed.
Graphics, Sounds, and Performance
Visually, Ninja Gaiden 4 is strikingly impressive. Haunted Tokyo, with its narrow streets, stunning rooftops, and neon-lit scenery, is not only a beautiful setting but also rendered with such detail and care that it’s sure to leave you in constant awe every time you witness any of the beautiful vistas.
Beyond the neon-lit streets of the biggest city in the world, the game also takes you to lush suburbs filled with greenery and swaying bamboo forests, the eerie depths of underground areas teeming with ghosts and fiends, and sleek corporate buildings with interiors bathed in futuristic white colours. Every environment is carefully designed, perfectly capturing the game’s atmosphere and providing a visual experience that will truly amaze you.
None of this would be possible without modern graphical tools, which shine in every corner of the game. While the overall tone is deliberately dark to match the theme, the lighting is expertly handled, keeping everything clear and balanced. With visuals this impressive, you might expect to need a powerhouse of a PC, but that’s far from the truth. On my setup, which isn’t exceptionally high-end (can be checked out at the beginning of the review), the game ran at maximum settings in ultrawide 1440p at over 80 FPS consistently, without a single frame drop or hiccup. Truly impressive optimisation.
The sound design is just as impressive as the visuals. A heavy metal soundtrack blares throughout combat, perfectly amplifying the intensity of every battle. On top of that, the already-mentioned voice acting is excellent, and all other audio, from the whistling of blades to battle cries and environmental effects, is executed superbly.
Conclusion
Ninja Gaiden 4 is a thrilling, high-octane action game that excels in every aspect, from its fast-paced, deeply satisfying combat and fluid ninja movement to its stunning visuals and top-notch sound design. Despite a few minor drawbacks, which are so irrelevant they're not worth mentioning at all, the game delivers an experience that’s both challenging and immensely rewarding.
For newcomers and series veterans alike, this is a game that truly rocks from its start to the very end, offering cinematic storytelling, highly intense battles, and a world that’s a joy to explore. In short, Ninja Gaiden 4 is a true masterpiece and a must-play for anyone craving a true ninja adventure.
The Good
Fast-paced, fluid, and deeply satisfying combat- Multiple forms and weapons add depth and variety
- Cinematic presentation with high-quality cutscenes and voice acting
- Beautiful and diverse environments, from haunted Tokyo to lush forests and futuristic buildings
- Excellent sound design and heavy metal soundtrack
- Well-optimized for PC
The Bad
The campaign is relatively short (8–10 hours)- Level design can feel repetitive and reused, especially in later stages
