After a long pause, Team NINJA just revealed NINJA GAIDEN 4, set for release this fall, co-developed by PlatinumGames, and published by Xbox Game Studios.

Meet the New Hero, Yakumo

The story takes place in a warped Tokyo under the rain of the Dark Dragon’s power. Players step into the role of Yakumo, who faces grueling trials and crosses paths with Ryu Hayabusa himself. Yakumo brings flashy new tools, including wire and rail travel that keep the tension up between battles.

Ryu Hayabusa’s Return

He may not be the only lead this time, but Ryu Hayabusa is back and playable. The developers promise the same fluid swordplay that made the earlier titles famous. There’s even a nod to the difficulty of NINJA GAIDEN 2, so we should not expect this to be easy.

A Different Approach to Combat

Team NINJA and PlatinumGames worked together to blend fresh mechanics with classic speed. Yakumo’s “Bloodraven Form” stands out—it lets him mold his own blood (and the blood of defeated foes) into gigantic slashing weapons. Quick moves and well-timed counters still matter, but an ultimate ability is damn cool.

Quote From Nakao

Yakumo fights using Bloodraven Form, and when certain conditions are met, he can unleash a move called ‘Bloodbath Kill,’ which instantly bisects enemies in one strike.

NINJA GAIDEN 2 Black Out Now

While we wait for NINJA GAIDEN 4, NINJA GAIDEN 2 Black just launched on Game Pass. It combines features from NINJA GAIDEN Sigma 2 with the original version’s challenge and gore. 

Looking Ahead

Team NINJA is calling 2025 “The Year of the Ninja,” and the return of Ryu Hayabusa is only the beginning. Anyone craving demanding sword-swinging action can dive into NINJA GAIDEN 2 Black right away, then look forward to NINJA GAIDEN 4 in a few short months. It’s a great time to sharpen your katana and prepare for ninja school.