I just played Ninja Gaiden 4 — and it's the best hack-and-slash action game I’ve played in years

In a world filled with endless “Soulslikes,” a classic hack-and-slash action game like Ninja Gaiden 4 is exactly what I’ve yearned for. Not only is it a fantastic experience, but it also deftly resurrects the classic franchise. Ninja Gaiden 4 is a title that former series director Tomonobu Itagaki would be proud of.

Don’t let the “4” in the title fool you, as this is a relatively self-contained game that requires little knowledge of previous entries. The new protagonist might not (yet) be as iconic as series veteran Ryu Hayabusa, but his ninja skills and weapons are no less impressive or lethal. Despite all the new characters, this still delivers the brutally challenging experience players have come to love.

I’ve been a fan of this iteration of Ninja Gaiden games for two decades, so it’s great to see the series embrace everything that made it special. I’m also happy to see the once ubiquitous hack-and-slash genre receive such a glorious addition—and one I hope will spur a revival of said genre.

If you’re looking for a game that’ll get your blood pumping, Ninja Gaiden 4 is exactly what you need. Find out more in my full review!

Ninja Gaiden 4: The basics

• What is it? As you might have guessed, Ninja Gaiden 4 is the fourth installment in the series. It features challenging combat and various post-game unlockables.
• Who is it for? Ninja Gaiden 4 is for fans of the series who were disappointed with the third entry and for fans of games like Devil May Cry and Bayonetta.
• How much does it cost? Ninja Gaiden 4 costs $69 and is available now for PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X. If you own the latter, you can play it on Xbox Game Pass.
• What other games has the developer made? Team Ninja has developed games like Ninja Gaiden, Dead or Alive, and Nioh.
• What games is it similar to? Ninja Gaiden 4 is similar to Capcom's Devil May Cry and Platinum Games' Bayonetta.

Way of the Ninja

If you’re looking for a gripping tale with memorable characters, you won’t find it here. Ninja Gaiden 4’s plot exists purely to get you from one action setpiece to another. The story isn’t awful, but it’s certainly this game’s weakest aspect.

New protagonist Yakumo is arguably my favorite character, and that’s probably because he doesn’t say very much. The priestess Seiro isn’t a bad character, but her dialogue sounds way too modern for a game set in a futuristic Tokyo. There is one halfway decent villain though, but he never gets enough screen time. Yakumo’s Raven Clan allies exist merely to push the story forward or as clerks at item and upgrade shops.

And in case you’re wondering, yes, you do get to play as the legendary Ryu Hayabusa. Unfortunately, it’s only for a few levels very late in the game — and said levels are effectively shorter versions of stages you already explored as Yakumo. I appreciate Hayabusa’s involvement, but I would have been fine if he weren’t in the game.

Now that we've got the story bits out of the way, let’s get into what Ninja Gaiden 4 excels at — brutally satisfying combat.

Deadly arts

I was delighted to learn that Ninja Gaiden 4 was developed not only by Team Ninja, but also by Platinum Games. These are two of the premier hack-and-slash game studios, responsible for the likes of Nioh and Bayonetta (respectively), so my expectations for gameplay were higher than usual. And guess what? I was not disappointed!

Yakumo is extremely fast, able to move like a whirlwind as he dispenses enemies with quick slashes of his katana. As the game progresses, you’ll gain access to other weapons, such as a mace or oversized shuriken. Every weapon has specific combos you can unlock, which enhance your repertoire of attacks against the increasingly difficult and smart enemies you’ll encounter. Performing techniques like the classic Izuna drop and Flying Swallow never gets old.

To spice things up, Yakumo can utilize a technique called the Bloodraven Form. Here, attacks become slower but more powerful, which can be very useful against defensive enemies or to nullify incoming special attacks. Bloodraven Form use is limited by an associated meter that you fill by killing foes, so it’s in your best interest to stay aggressive so you can use Bloodraven when necessary. Bloodraven Form also has different combos and moves per weapon.

Speaking of enemies, I like how they won’t just let you mindlessly attack them. Even low-level foes will protect themselves and counterattack appropriately if you button mash. As a result, you’re forced to constantly switch up your attacks. The fact that foes won’t wait their turn to attack you also keeps encounters harrowing. Ninja Gaiden 4’s combat demands your full attention at all times.

Lastly, the game has a Berserk Meter that lets you unleash a devastating cinematic attack that can deal serious damage to one foe or eliminate almost all nearby enemies. When combined with the Bloodraven Form, the Berserk attack is the game’s most devastating technique. It takes time to build the Berserk meter, and it will drain fast if you’re not attacking, but it can definitely save your bacon if you’re in trouble.

Extra weapons

Slashing your way through Ninja Gaiden 4’s 20 levels takes roughly 10 hours, but you can extend your playtime by completing the game’s various side quests. While these aren’t essential, they can be a cool way to test your combat skills and earn extra in-game money.

You choose side quests via the same small shrines where you can purchase healing items and buffs with the ninja coins collected from defeated enemies. Side quests have you doing things like killing a specific number of bad guys or dispatching them with certain weapons and techniques. These side quests aren’t all that engaging, but they’re a good way to collect extra money to purchase what you need.

Most levels contain a Purgatory Gate. Here, you’re challenged to defeat enemies under specific conditions, such as a time limit or without the use of healing items (for example). You can also face off against some of the bosses you’ve encountered. Purgatory Gates are no joke, and I’m still working my way through them since they’re so challenging. I’m sure a lot of old-school Ninja Gaiden fans will appreciate how tough some of these engagements are.

Completing the game unlocks the Master Ninja Difficulty for the truly masochistic players. You’ll also be able to replay any level, and play as Yakumo or Hayabusa. And if the Purgatory Gates weren’t enough, you’ll also unlock even more combat trials.

Dressed to kill

Ninja Gaiden 4’s presentation is a mixed bag. While it features detailed environments and character models befitting a current-gen console or gaming PC, they’re not particularly inspired. This is especially true for the stages and their bland level design. While there’s a narrative reason for the non-stop rain in most levels, that doesn’t mean these couldn’t have more personality. Even stages set in an all-white military base / corporate headquarters don’t do much to break up the visual monotony.

While I’m not a fan of the dull stage design, I do appreciate how some of them feature traversal segments. The parts where you’re grinding on rails while avoiding oncoming trains or where you’re gliding on the wind to reach loftier heights are pretty fun. I can also never get enough of wall running and wall jumping. I just wish I was doing so on more interesting stages.

While I’m not overly impressed with the core visuals, I can overlook some of that because of the tight gameplay and the gratuitous amount of blood splashing across the screen during combat. Ninja Gaiden games have always been extremely violent, but this entry seems to have upped the gore factor by a considerable amount. Given how I’m eternally 15 years old at heart, I can’t get enough of the over-the-top violence.

Ninja Gaiden 4: Verdict

Ninja Gaiden 4 might not have the best story or level design, but the incredibly satisfying combat more than makes up for that. It’s a true successor to Ninja Gaiden 2 and all but erases the lame third installment from my mind.

Even if you’re new to the series or the genre, this is an excellent entry point to sink your ninja claws into. And if the Dark Dragon wills it, perhaps we’ll get more action games like Ninja Gaiden 4 in the coming years.