Ninja Gaiden 4 Was the Surprise Reveal at Xbox Developer Direct 2025

Ninja Gaiden 4 and Ninja Gaiden 2 Black: A Double Dose of Ninja Action

Team Ninja declared 2025 "The Year of the Ninja," and they weren't kidding. The Xbox Developer Direct 2025 delivered a surprise double-whammy: the announcement of Ninja Gaiden 4 and the release of Ninja Gaiden 2 Black. Fumihiko Yasuda, Head of Team Ninja and Producer of Ninja Gaiden 4, expressed his excitement for the series' evolution and thanked fans for their continued support.

Thirteen years after Ninja Gaiden 3, the mainline series returns with a bang. Developed by Team Ninja and PlatinumGames, Ninja Gaiden 4 is a direct sequel, promising the intensely challenging yet rewarding gameplay the series is known for. The collaboration with PlatinumGames, known for their high-octane action titles, is a particularly exciting development for fans. The Xbox reveal is fitting, given Microsoft's long history with Team Ninja, including exclusive releases of Dead or Alive titles and the original Ninja Gaiden 2 for Xbox 360.

A New Ninja Takes Center Stage

Introducing Yakumo, a young ninja from the Raven clan, a rival to the Hayabusa clan, and aspiring Master Ninja. PlatinumGames' Art Director, Tomoko Nishii, described Yakumo's design as aiming to create a character who can stand alongside Ryu Hayabusa, the epitome of a ninja.

Yuji Nakao, Ninja Gaiden 4's Producer and Director from PlatinumGames, explained the decision to introduce a new protagonist: "Since it’s been a while since the last game, we wanted a new hero to make the series more approachable for new players. Of course, we also wanted long-time fans to enjoy the game, so Ryu Hayabusa plays a significant role in the story, serving as a major challenge and growth milestone for Yakumo." Rest assured, Ryu Hayabusa remains a significant presence, both playable and a major force in the narrative.

New Combat, Same Brutal Intensity

Expect the breakneck speed and brutal combat signature to the Ninja Gaiden series. Yakumo will utilize two distinct combat styles: Raven Style and the newly introduced Bloodbind Ninjutsu Nue Style. Masazaku Hirayama, Team Ninja Director, assures fans that while different from Ryu's style, the action will feel authentically Ninja Gaiden. Nakao emphasizes the commitment to the series' challenging gameplay, infused with PlatinumGames' signature speed and dynamism. The game is currently 70-80% complete and in the polishing phase.

Ninja Gaiden 4 Arrives Fall 2025

Ninja Gaiden 4 launches Fall 2025 on Xbox Series X|S, PC, and PlayStation 5, and will be a day-one Xbox Game Pass title. In an Xbox Wire interview, Yasuda highlighted the collaborative effort between Koei Tecmo and PlatinumGames, stating that their shared vision and close relationship made the collaboration a natural fit.

Ninja Gaiden 2 Black: A Classic Reborn

Ninja Gaiden 2 Black, a remake of the 2008 Xbox 360 classic, is available now on Xbox Series X|S, PC, and PlayStation 5, and is included with Xbox Game Pass. This remake features additional playable characters from Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2: Ayane, Momiji, and Rachel. Yasuda explained that the remake was a response to fan requests following the release of the Ninja Gaiden Master Collection in 2021, offering fans a taste of classic Ninja Gaiden action while they await Ninja Gaiden 4.