The Ninja Returns
After more than a decade in hiding, Ninja Gaiden 4 has finally landed, marking a triumphant return for gaming’s most famous ninja, Ryu Hayabusa. Co-developed by Team Ninja and PlatinumGames, this latest entry revives the legendary hack-and-slash series with a perfect blend of blistering combat, stylish presentation, and cutting-edge performance, especially on the PlayStation 5 Pro.
NINJA GAIDEN 4 is now available! Play now on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, Xbox Cloud, Steam, and PlayStation 5.
WHERE SHADOWS FALL, LEGENDS RISE.
The definitive ninja action-adventure franchise returns with #NINJAGAIDEN4! pic.twitter.com/pdAjPGXpgV
— Team NINJA (@TeamNINJAStudio) October 21, 2025
Launching on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, the game has been met with strong critical acclaim. On Metacritic, Ninja Gaiden 4 holds an impressive 83% average on Xbox Series X, 82% on PS5, and 82% on PC, while OpenCritic sits at 82%, signalling a return to form for the once-dormant franchise.
A Sharpened Return to Form
After a decade in the shadows, Ninja Gaiden 4 brings the series roaring back with everything fans could want from a modern hack-and-slash revival. Set in a futuristic Tokyo drenched in neon and cursed by a never-ending rain, the story follows newcomer Yakumo of the Raven Clan, who sets out to resurrect the Dark Dragon in hopes of cleansing the world. Naturally, legendary ninja Ryu Hayabusa isn’t thrilled about the idea, and the two warriors’ fates quickly intertwine in a tale that’s part cyberpunk epic, part classic martial arts fantasy.
Image Credit: PlatinumGames Inc. / Team NINJA / KOEI TECMO GAMES CO., LTD.
Gameplay-wise, Ninja Gaiden 4 finds a sweet balance between challenge and precision. Combat flows with the kind of speed and fluidity that fans of Team Ninja and PlatinumGames would expect. Switching between Yakumo’s weapon-focused style and Ryu’s elemental ninpo abilities keeps every encounter dynamic and deeply satisfying. Mastering parries, dodges, and devastating combos still defines the experience, but the controls are now more approachable without sacrificing depth.
Image Credit: PlatinumGames Inc. / Team NINJA / KOEI TECMO GAMES CO., LTD.
Critics Praise Combat, Accessibility, and Style
Reviewers have highlighted the game’s fluid combat, deep endgame content, and smart balance between difficulty and accessibility. DualShockers gave it a 9.5/10, calling it the “gold standard for fast-paced, high-octane 3D action games.” IGN Italia scored it 85/100, praising the collaboration between Team Ninja and PlatinumGames as “spectacular, technical, and immensely satisfying.”
Not every review was glowing, some outlets noted uneven visuals, occasional camera hiccups, and limited weapon variety, but most agreed that the strengths far outweigh the flaws. The result? A game that redefines the franchise for modern audiences without losing its old-school soul.
PS5 Pro Takes It Up a Notch
According to a detailed report by Twisted Voxel, Ninja Gaiden 4 is one of the first major titles to fully leverage the PS5 Pro’s upgraded hardware, and the difference is significant.
While the standard PS5 version includes three display modes (Quality, Performance, and 120fps), the PS5 Pro introduces a fourth exclusive mode, “Pro Mode”, which runs at a native 1440p resolution with 60fps performance and high graphical settings.
The Pro version also replaces AMD’s FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR) with Sony’s proprietary PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR) upscaling technology, delivering sharper visuals and cleaner motion during Ninja Gaiden 4’s frantic combat scenes. Frame rates remain remarkably stable across all modes, proving Team Ninja and PlatinumGames’ attention to optimisation.
Image via Twisted Voxel
As Twisted Voxel notes, the PS5 Pro’s Pro Mode “offers the most balanced experience, combining high graphical detail with fluid 60fps performance,” making it the definitive way to experience Ryu’s return.
A New Era for the Ninja Legacy
Ninja Gaiden 4 doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it doesn’t need to. Instead, it sharpens what already made the franchise great: fast, precise combat, stylish set pieces, and a demanding yet rewarding gameplay loop.
For longtime fans, it’s a nostalgic reunion. For newcomers, it’s an accessible entry point into one of gaming’s toughest but most satisfying action series. And for PlayStation 5 Pro owners, it’s a showcase of what the upgraded console can truly do when developers commit to optimising for its power.
Whether you’re slicing through demons in Tokyo’s rain-soaked alleys or chasing leaderboard perfection, Ninja Gaiden 4 proves that Ryu Hayabusa, and the series itself, are far from finished.
Verdict
Ninja Gaiden 4 is a stylish, confident revival that honours its past while embracing modern hardware and design. The partnership between Team Ninja and PlatinumGames has breathed new life into the franchise, balancing spectacle with depth and accessibility with mastery.
If this is the start of a renewed era for the series, fans have every reason to be excited.