In particular, the Xbox version of NINJA GAIDEN, released on Xbox consoles in 2004, stood out for its smooth controls and elegant action, earning its place as a revolutionary action game. The series’ biggest allure lies in profoundly satisfying and challenging battles featuring its iconic lead character, master ninja Ryu Hayabusa. The NINJA GAIDEN series has gained a reputation for being notoriously difficult, but with a near-unmatched sense of accomplishment upon clearing levels and defeating bosses that drives players to persevere. Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, squad NINJA, the studio behind the majority of these iconic titles, has declared 2025 to be “The Year of the Ninja.”
In a surprise announcement during today’s Developer_Direct, fans were thrilled to see the uncover of NINJA GAIDEN 4, a brand-new mainline entry that arrives in Fall this year after a 13-year hiatus (co-developed with legendary action studio PlatinumGames), alongside the surprise release of NINJA GAIDEN 2 Black, a remaster of the classical 2008 game. We were fortunate adequate to get an exclusive interview with Fumihiko Yasuda, Head of squad NINJA and NINJA GAIDEN 4 maker at Koei Tecmo Games, as well as Yuji Nakao, NINJA GAIDEN 4’s maker and manager from PlatinumGames, to learn much more about this long-awaited fresh chapter for NINJA GAIDEN.
A fresh NINJA GAIDEN planet Unveiled
While the series has been beloved for almost 4 decades, the announcement of NINJA GAIDEN 4 marks the first fresh mainline entry in 13 years. erstwhile asked about the long gap—spanning 2 Xbox console generations—Yasuda expressed squad NINJA’s long-standing desire to bring the series back. “Fans have long been asking us for a fresh NINJA GAIDEN game,” he said. “Koei Tecmo’s President, Hisashi Koinuma, and PlatinumGames’ CEO, Atsushi Inaba, share a close relationship, which led us to research a collaborative improvement effort. PlatinumGames had the expertise we felt was perfect for working on NINJA GAIDEN, and with support from Microsoft’s Phil-san [Phil Spencer, CEO of Microsoft Gaming], the 3 companies were able to take the next step towards creating a brand-new NINJA GAIDEN.”
Appearing for the first time in the Developer_Direct broadcast, and published by Xbox Game Studios, NINJA GAIDEN 4 is positioned as the direct sequel to NINJA GAIDEN 3. While maintaining the dark and gritty planet that the series is known for, players will take on the function of a fresh protagonist, Yakumo. “A crucial amount of time has passed since NINJA GAIDEN 3, and players will find themselves arriving in a gruesomely transformed Tokyo. 1 of the key themes of this communicative is the return of the Dark Dragon, which has plunged the city into chaos. Within these unsettling conditions, Yakumo will gotta face off against his foes, as well as the formidable Master Ninja himself, Ryu Hayabusa,” Nakao explained.
When asked why a fresh protagonist was introduced, Nakao clarified that “since it’s been a while since the last game, we wanted a fresh hero to make the series more approachable for fresh players. Of course, we besides wanted long-time fans to enjoy the game, so Ryu Hayabusa plays a crucial function in the story, serving as a major challenge and growth milestone for Yakumo. Ryu will appear throughout the game and be playable, ensuring his prowess and presence is profoundly felt in NINJA GAIDEN 4.”
Overcoming Adversity in NINJA GAIDEN 4
In the Developer_Direct trailer, the fresh protagonist, Yakumo, shows off stylish fresh mechanics which include traversal utilizing wires and rails, something fresh for a NINJA GAIDEN title. erstwhile asked about the addition of these elements, Nakao revealed 1 of the game’s core themes: “Adversity is simply a key concept for this game. From the beginning to the end of each phase and even in the transitions between, everything is designed to represent adversity for Yakumo.” First and foremost, that adversity will come in the form of NINJA GAIDEN’s signature combat, but Nakao explains that these fresh additions outside of the fights keeps that feeling advanced at all times: “To keep the tension throughout, we’ve added high-speed elements like rail and wire-based actions to keep up the sense of challenge.”
The announcement footage besides depicted a rain-soaked, cyberpunk-like Tokyo, leaving a strong impression to those who watched the trailer. “In NINJA GAIDEN 4, we wanted to blend old and fresh elements. Tokyo in this game has been drastically transformed by the influence of the underworld., which is why it appears this way,” Nakao explained, elaborating on the Dark Dragon’s miasma rain, as well as the disasters it has caused. “Rain is simply a major visual subject in this game. For example, we’ve put quite a few effort into how characters look erstwhile drenched, how raindrops hit the ground, and various another effects.” These visual motifs stay actual to the signature dark, hardcore atmosphere of the series while bringing fresh flavor to its visual direction.
Nakao besides touched on the game’s anticipated difficulty. “We’ve brought together the best aspects of the series and elevated them for the current generation. Personally, I believe [the difficulty level of] NINJA GAIDEN 2 had quite a few standout qualities, and I think fans will feel its influence powerfully throughout NINJA GAIDEN 4.”
After specified a long break between games, it’s paramount that the squad balances what’s large about the series, while adding fresh ideas. Despite the daunting challenges, the collaboration between squad NINJA and PlatinumGames promises an unparalleled NINJA GAIDEN experience.
“One of the key differences between modern action games and NINJA GAIDEN lies in the sense of fairness erstwhile confronting enemies,” Nakao said, explaining the series’ unique game balance philosophy. “Enemies are designed to be masters of defence and experts of unrelenting aggression, but players never feel they’re at an unfair disadvantage. There’s a sense of balance that’s been passed down through the series, transcending current-day trends.”
“The fast shifts between offense and defense, the almost fighting game-like 1v1 combat—you’ll see these elements evolve in NINJA GAIDEN 4. At the same time, we’ve ensured that returning players will immediately feel at home erstwhile they choice up the game,” he concluded.
A actual Successor
When asked about the challenges active in achieving the fairness that defines the NINJA GAIDEN series, Nakao shared his thoughts with a laugh.
“If I were to go into item about the feel of the action, we’d be here for rather a while (laughs). In all NINJA GAIDEN titles, a delicate balance is carefully crafted to keep the satisfaction of attacking enemies without losing the velocity and exhilaration that specify the gameplay. I remember struggling with the fine adjustments required to accomplish the right feel erstwhile we first started implementing and investigating the systems. Additionally, erstwhile we brought Ryu Hayabusa into NINJA GAIDEN 4, we wanted long-time fans to experience the exact same enjoyable gameplay feel they’ve come to expect. We had many discussions with squad NINJA to fine-tune the mechanics and guarantee everything felt just right.”
Yasuda besides added that “when it comes to gameplay feel, squad NINJA was profoundly involved. Fairness in combat with enemies is only possible erstwhile eventual playability is simply a given. To accomplish that, we pushed for even deeper refinement of controls and another aspects. I know it most likely seemed like we were being a bit besides demanding at times…(laughs).” This collaboration across company lines was crucial to creating the next eventual NINJA GAIDEN experience.
One of the standout features of NINJA GAIDEN 4, which embodies the series’ experience while introducing fresh elements, is Yakumo’s “Bloodraven Form.” Nakao described this as “a method that manipulates the blood of oneself and enemies, transforming it into a massive weapon capable of slicing through multiple foes at once.” He elaborated further on how this addition expands upon the series’ conventional gameplay.
“Yakumo fights utilizing Bloodraven Form, and erstwhile certain conditions are met, he can unleash a decision called ‘Bloodbath Kill,’ which instantly bisects enemies in 1 strike.” Nakao explains that, while erstwhile entries have tasked players with working out how to approach encounters with multiple enemies, and NINJA GAIDEN 4 is introducing another exhilarating way to fight against swarming crowds: “This time we’ve added large-scale, high-damage attacks with the Bloodraven Form, enabling players to instantly turn the tide of conflict in their favor.”
This strategy introduces moments of release from overwhelming situations, offering fresh depth to the gameplay that Nakao hopes both newcomers and returning fans will enjoy.
Both squad NINJA and PlatinumGames are known for their expertise in high-end action games. According to Nakao, the process of creating NINJA GAIDEN 4 revealed the unique strengths and characteristics of each studio.
“Looking at the titles created by PlatinumGames, we noticed clear differences in approach. While we emphasize flashy, impactful strikes and moment-to-moment experiences, the NINJA GAIDEN series focuses on delivering refined and satisfying gameplay feel, culminating in an exceptionally polished overall action experience. This collaboration was a truly unique learning chance for us at PlatinumGames.”
When asked about the importance of bringing NINJA GAIDEN 4 to Xbox, Yasuda reflected on squad NINJA’s long past with the platform.
“With titles like the Dead or Alive series and the NINJA GAIDEN series—especially the first NINJA GAIDEN, NINJA GAIDEN Black, and NINJA GAIDEN 2—we have a deep past with Xbox. It’s been a long time, but we’re thrilled to bring the latest installment back to Xbox players. Additionally, with the game being added to Game Pass, we’re excited that more people will have the chance to experience it.”
Nakao, who became a fan of the series during his days as a student, besides shared his excitement. “Personally, I played NINJA GAIDEN 2 on Xbox 360, so being able to play the latest installment on Xbox again makes me very happy. Even now, I occasionally boot up NINJA GAIDEN 2 on my Xbox Series X. As a developer and a fan, I’m thrilled to see the NINJA GAIDEN series come together on Xbox, creating a minute in time where all these titles can be enjoyed in 1 place.”
“The Year of the Ninja” Has Just Begun: Play NINJA GAIDEN 2 Black Starting Today
During Developer_Direct, fans were not only treated to the announcement of NINJA GAIDEN 4 but besides received the breathtaking surprise that NINJA GAIDEN 2 Black is available present on Game Pass. We asked Yasuda about the process behind this task and the updates made to the game.
“This simultaneous announcement and same-day release alongside NINJA GAIDEN 4 might have caught any people by surprise,” he began. “The biggest reason for developing NINJA GAIDEN 2 Black was to address the concerns of core fans who might be wondering, ‘What’s going to happen to Ryu Hayabusa?’ We besides wanted to give players something to enjoy as they wait for the release of NINJA GAIDEN 4. We chose NINJA GAIDEN 2 due to the fact that it stands as 1 of the most solid action games in the series. We added ‘Black’ to the title to signal to fans that this is the definitive version, much like NINJA GAIDEN Black was for the first game.”
Yasuda besides shared that the thought for NINJA GAIDEN 2 Black came from fan feedback received during the release of NINJA GAIDEN Master Collection in 2021. Many fans expressed a desire to experience something closer to the first NINJA GAIDEN 2. Speaking about the Unreal Engine-powered remaster, Yasuda reassured fans, “This version is crafted to satisfy both those who played the first and newcomers discovering it as a current-generation action game. We’ve meticulously incorporated any of the additions of NINJA GAIDEN Sigma 2 while staying actual to the challenge and feel of the first 360 version, including its signature gore and violence. We’ve besides adjusted the weapon upgrade strategy to more align with the first release.”
Closing Remarks
In 2025, a year that marks squad NINJA’s 30th anniversary, the aptly titled “Year of the Ninja” was kicked off in grand fashion with the announcements made during Developer_Direct. As stealthy and precise as the ninjas they’ve brought to life, squad NINJA’s Yasuda and PlatinumGames’ Nakao both shared their heartfelt thoughts as the interview drew to a close.
Yuji Nakao, PlatinumGames:
- “I’m incredibly grateful that we were able to announce NINJA GAIDEN 4. As a immense fan of the NINJA GAIDEN series myself, this is simply a truly breathtaking moment. The game is presently about 70-80% complete, and we’ve entered the polishing phase. We’ll proceed to work closely with squad NINJA, ensuring all item meets the expectations of fans. There’s more information coming that will aid you realize just how fun and breathtaking this game is, so delight stay tuned. As both a fan and a developer, I’ll do my utmost to deliver an experience that satisfies everyone.”
Fumihiko Yasuda, Head of squad NINJA, Koei Tecmo Games:
- “I want to thank fans who have patiently waited for the return of the series. Their passion was the driving force behind the improvement of NINJA GAIDEN 4 and our collaboration with PlatinumGames. I’m thrilled that we were yet able to make this announcement and hope it brings joy to our fans. We’ll proceed working hard to meet your expectations. NINJA GAIDEN 4 is an action game at heart, and we are looking into ways to give you opportunities to get hands-on experience, so delight stay tuned.”
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