Ninja Gaiden Revival: A Fresh Alternative to Soulslike Games

The 2025 Xbox Developer Direct brought a thrilling announcement for fans of classic action games: the revival of the beloved Ninja Gaiden franchise. The event unveiled plans for multiple new titles, including Ninja Gaiden 4 and the immediate release of Ninja Gaiden 2 Black, which was shadow dropped right after the showcase. This unexpected resurgence marks a significant shift for the series, which has been largely dormant since the release of Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge in 2012, aside from the Ninja Gaiden: Master Collection. The announcement signals a potential renaissance for old-school 3D action games, a genre that has been overshadowed by the rise of Soulslike titles in recent years.

Historically, games like Ninja Gaiden, Devil May Cry, and the original God of War defined the action genre. However, the landscape has shifted, with FromSoftware's Dark Souls, Bloodborne, and Elden Ring dominating the scene. While we appreciate the depth and challenge of Soulslike games, the return of Ninja Gaiden offers hope for a more balanced action gaming market, where both styles can thrive.

The Ninja Gaiden series has long been widely considered the epitome of action gaming. The 2004 reboot on the original Xbox transformed the franchise from its 2D roots on the NES into a 3D action masterpiece. Ryu Hayabusa's adventures became renowned for their smooth gameplay, fluid animations, and extreme difficulty. While other hack and slash games existed, such as Devil May Cry, Ninja Gaiden distinguished itself with its relentless challenge, exemplified by the infamous first boss, Murai, who tested players' skills from the outset.

Despite its demanding nature, Ninja Gaiden's difficulty is often praised for being fair. Player deaths typically result from mistakes or a lack of understanding of the combat rhythm, rather than unfair game design. The game offers a rich arsenal of moves, from the iconic Izuna Drop to powerful Ultimate Techniques, empowering players to master the game's challenges through skill and strategy.

Ninja Gaiden's influence on the gaming community cannot be overstated. Its brutal difficulty and the satisfaction of overcoming it paved the way for the Soulslike genre. The dedication required to conquer Ninja Gaiden's hardest settings inspired the mindset of Soulslike fans, who relish the triumph over seemingly impossible odds. While FromSoftware and its imitators have popularized this approach, the dominance of Soulslike games may have come at the expense of traditional action games.

Follow the Leader

The timing of Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2's release in 2009, alongside Demon’s Souls, was no coincidence. Demon’s Souls received strong reviews and paved the way for Dark Souls in 2011, a game hailed as one of the greatest ever made, including by IGN. As Ninja Gaiden 3 and its rerelease Razor’s Edge struggled, Dark Souls captured the action gaming market, leading to sequels and further refinements in Bloodborne, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, and Elden Ring.

The influence of FromSoftware's mechanics extended beyond their own titles, impacting games like Respawn Entertainment’s Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and Jedi: Survivor, Team Ninja’s Nioh, and Game Science’s Black Myth: Wukong. While these games are critically acclaimed, the Soulslike model has overshadowed traditional 3D action games. Ninja Gaiden's return after over a decade, alongside the last major Devil May Cry entry in 2019 and the transformed God of War in 2018, highlights the need for variety in the action genre. The Soulslike style, characterized by its focus on timing, stamina management, character builds, and open-ended level design, has become ubiquitous. With Ninja Gaiden 2 Black's release, the unique strengths of character action games have a chance to shine once more.

The Master Ninja Returns

Ninja Gaiden 2 Black revitalizes the action genre with its fast-paced combat, diverse weapon selection, and the restored gore missing from the Sigma version. It stands as the definitive version of Ninja Gaiden 2 for modern platforms, offering a perfect entry point for newcomers while addressing some of the original's technical issues and unbalanced design. Although some purists might miss the original's difficulty, Ninja Gaiden 2 Black strikes a balance, maintaining a high level of challenge while enhancing the overall experience with additional content.

Ninja Gaiden 4 Screenshots

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The remastered Ninja Gaiden 2 Black serves as a poignant reminder of the action games that once dominated the genre. Titles like PlatinumGames’ Bayonetta, Visceral Games’ Dante’s Inferno, Vigil Games’ Darksiders, and even FromSoftware’s Ninja Blade were once prevalent. The formula of fast-paced, combo-driven battles against numerous foes and epic bosses in a linear format has largely disappeared as Soulslike games took center stage. While games like Hi-Fi Rush in 2023 have kept the spirit alive, Ninja Gaiden 2 Black stands out as a major release from a prominent developer, emphasizing the unique appeal of this style.

Playing Ninja Gaiden 2 Black underscores the purity of classic action games. There are no shortcuts or crutches; success depends solely on mastering the combat mechanics with the tools provided. As Soulslike games continue to hold a strong position in the gaming world, the return of Ninja Gaiden could herald a new era for action games, where both styles can coexist and cater to diverse player preferences.