Ninja Gaiden Returns With a Bang: Team Ninja and Platinum Games Team Up
After a twelve-year hiatus, the legendary Ninja Gaiden franchise is making a triumphant return. The news broke during Xbox’s Developer Direct, revealing not only Ninja Gaiden 4 but also a surprising collaboration between Team Ninja and PlatinumGames. Fans can expect the newly announced title to hit shelves in 2025.
the long wait for a new entry was, as producer FUMIHIKO YASUDA explained, a result of limited opportunities.
“Ninja Gaiden is very crucial for koei Tecmo and Team Ninja, we wanted to bring the series back for a while, but the opportunity did not perform. So it took a while, but we had the opportunity to collaborate with Platinum Games and Microsoft. As initial discussions were about 4 to 5 years ago, and culminated in the announcement that was made now, so we want to thank fans for their patience and we hope they are excited about it
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This unexpected partnership came about thanks to a longstanding friendship between the presidents of Koei Tecmo and PlatinumGames, paving the way for a meeting of creative minds.
Adding to the excitement, Ninja Gaiden 4 will introduce a new protagonist alongside the iconic Ryu Hayabusa: Yakumo.
A Fresh Start for Ninjas: Yakumo Takes the Spotlight in Ninja gaiden 4
Ninja Gaiden, renowned for its challenging combat and iconic protagonist Ryu Hayabusa, returns with a fresh perspective in ninja Gaiden 4. While Ryu embodies the pinnacle of ninja mastery, introducing Yakumo, a rising ninja from a newly prominent clan, allows developers Team Ninja to explore the evolution of a ninja’s journey.
“If you were to describe Ryu Hayabusa as the heyday of what it means to be a ninja, yakumo is a promising ninja and is part of a different ninja clan that is rising in the ranks to reach the same level as Hayabusa. But also, with Yakumo, we can have a story that shows a ninja while it develops and grows to become this supreme ninja, giving a good juxtaposition between the legacy of ryu Hayabusa and this new protagonist,” explains director Yuji Nakao.
Yakumo’s story isn’t merely a tale of lineage; he brings a unique fighting style to the Ninja Gaiden universe.
“Ryu Hayabusa is more about power, no frills, while Yakumo is more about style and stunt, so it’s a little lighter on the feet, and this is one of the ways you will see the difference between Yakumo and Hayabusa,” Nakao clarifies, highlighting Yakumo’s agility.
Adding to Yakumo’s distinct identity are elements of progression unseen in previous installments. “another difference you will see is that there are more elements of progression in this game compared to othre titles. So Yakumo will have access to new weapons and also some light RPG elements, even if it is indeed still a pure action game,” adds Yasuda, hinting at deeper customization options.
Of course, the heart of Ninja Gaiden lies in its unforgiving combat, and fans can expect no less in Ninja Gaiden 4.
“Yes, you can be sure that the same challenging gameplay will be present at Ninja Gaiden 4. players will have to fight for their lives when playing, and even though it has been 10 years as the last game Ninja Gaiden, we are maintaining this aspect of the series. Having mentioned that, we understand that there will be players playing Ninja Gaiden for the first time and we are preparing the easier levels of difficulty for them to address the game and enjoy it,” Nakao confirms.
Ninja Gaiden 4 promises an exciting blend of classic brutality with fresh gameplay elements, marking the beginning of a new era for ninjas.
Ninja Gaiden: Balancing Brutal Challenge with Satisfying Combat
Developed by PlatinumGames, known for titles like Bayonetta and Nier: automata, Ninja Gaiden promises exhilarating combat. However, balancing intense difficulty with satisfying gameplay can be tricky.
Producer Matt Smith, known for his candid remarks, succinctly summarized the challenge: “It is brutally arduous. Even in the current state, it is indeed brutally difficult.”
Despite the inherent difficulty, the developers aimed to retain the signature platinumgames combat style. Director Yosuke Nakao revealed a key element achieving this balance: the Blood Raven form. This unique attack style allows protagonist Yakumo to instantly shift the tide of battle, enabling players to overcome overwhelming odds.
“One of the ways we have achieved this in this title, and that maintains this characteristic feeling of previous titles, facing numerous enemies at once and overcoming seemingly impossible probabilities, is the Blood Raven form, a style of attack that Yakumo has and allows for him to change the direction of battle instantly,” Nakao explained.
While acknowledging the challenge, Nakao emphasized PlatinumGames’ commitment to inclusivity.”I think what Platinum Games has always done, with games like Nier, was to worry about the player who is not so good in action games, and helping him have fun. This has been done in our games, and Ninja Gaiden is no different, there will always be a system for that. But for Ninja Gaiden, the main point is the challenge: the player overcomes the challenge and improving. This is the key point of the games, and your point is that players like this process,” Yasuda added.
The Ninja Gaiden Revival: Patience and Perseverance
After a series of delays, fans of the fast-paced, brutally rewarding Ninja Gaiden franchise finally have a reason to rejoice.A new installment, Gaiden Ninja, is on the horizon, promising to blend the beloved franchise’s core elements with the renowned quality of Platinum Games.
“Again, we apologize for the delay, but this is the new Gaiden Ninja, and Platinum Games took the essence of the franchise and added its quality, so we got a grate game. It will take a while, but you will like it and I ask you to wait for the release,” Nakao stated, acknowledging the fans’ frustration and assuring them of the final product’s quality.
Yasuda echoed Nakao’s sentiment,emphasizing the team’s dedication to meeting fan expectations. “I know we made a lot of fans wait,but we are happy to finally be able to announce the title and we think you will have fun playing. You may also have to suffer a little, as you fight many fierce enemies, but let’s continue with advancement to ensure that we meet fans expectations,” he stressed.
While the new Gaiden Ninja is still being crafted, fans eager to relive classic scenarios can jump into a remake of the beloved original, Ninja Gaiden 2 Black. Available now for Xbox Series X | S, PlayStation 5, and PC, this remake allows players to experiance the thrill of ninja Gaiden 2 with modern enhancements.
