Ninja Gaiden 4 Unveiled at Xbox Developer Direct

Team Ninja's highly anticipated Ninja Gaiden 4, along with a remake, Ninja Gaiden 2 Black, were unveiled as surprise announcements during the Xbox Developer Direct 2025. This marks a significant milestone, celebrating Team Ninja's 30th anniversary and declaring 2025 "The Year of the Ninja." Producer Fumihiko Yasuda expressed excitement for the franchise's evolution.

Developed collaboratively by Team Ninja and PlatinumGames, Ninja Gaiden 4 is a direct sequel to Ninja Gaiden 3, arriving 13 years later. It promises the series' signature challenging yet rewarding gameplay. The Xbox showcase is fitting, given Microsoft's long-standing relationship with Team Ninja.

A New Ninja Emerges:

Ninja Gaiden 4 introduces Yakumo, a young ninja from the rival Raven clan, striving to become a Master Ninja. PlatinumGames' Art Director, Tomoko Nishii, describes Yakumo as a character designed to stand alongside Ryu Hayabusa. Yuji Nakao, Producer and Director from PlatinumGames, explains the decision to introduce a new protagonist: to broaden the game's appeal to new players while ensuring longtime fans remain satisfied. Ryu Hayabusa maintains a crucial role in the story, acting as a formidable opponent and benchmark for Yakumo's growth. Rest assured, Ryu remains playable, his legendary skills deeply ingrained in the game's narrative.

Revitalized Combat:

Ninja Gaiden 4 retains the series' signature brutal, fast-paced combat. Yakumo's unique fighting style includes the new "Bloodbind Ninjutsu Nue Style," complementing the "Raven Style." Team Ninja's Masazaku Hirayama assures fans that both styles will feel authentic to the Ninja Gaiden experience. Nakao highlights the collaboration with PlatinumGames, blending the series' core challenge with PlatinumGames' dynamic action.

Development is approximately 70-80% complete, with the team currently focusing on polishing. Further details are promised soon. Yasuda emphasizes the game's core action focus and the team's eagerness to share hands-on gameplay experiences.

Fall 2025 Release:

Ninja Gaiden 4 launches in Fall 2025 on Xbox Series X|S, PC, and PlayStation 5. It will be a day-one Xbox Game Pass title.

Ninja Gaiden 2 Black: A Remastered Classic:

In addition to the sequel, Ninja Gaiden 2 Black, a remake of the 2008 Xbox 360 title, 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, including Ayane, Momiji, and Rachel. The decision to create this remake stemmed from fan requests following the release of the Ninja Gaiden Master Collection in 2021. Yasuda explains that it serves as a treat for fans while they await Ninja Gaiden 4.