The acclaimed and beloved ninja action-adventure franchise makes its return with the highly anticipated fourth installment.
The Xbox Developer Direct 2025, held on January 24, was an electrifying showcase brimming with surprises and exhilarating new content, leaving audiences captivated from start to finish. Featuring exclusive announcements, stunning gameplay footage, and fascinating behind-the-scenes insights, the event offered a compelling preview of what the gaming world can expect in 2025.
Among the standout moments was an exclusive behind-the-scenes feature from the Canadian studio Compulsion Games, providing an in-depth look at their highly anticipated new IP, South of Midnight. Viewers were also treated to an evocative new gameplay trailer for Clair Obscur – Expedition 33, the debut project from Montpellier-based Sandfall Interactive, which unveiled its official release date.
The excitement didn’t stop there. The showcase featured an in-depth preview of Doom: The Dark Ages, the much-anticipated new installment in the id Software franchise, which officially announced its launch date, much to the delight of fans. In a thrilling twist, the event also unveiled a remastered edition of Ninja Gaiden 2 Black, the legendary 2008 classic, now available for Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC via the Xbox App, and Game Pass.
Yet, the true star of the showcase—the moment that undeniably stole the spotlight—was the reveal of Ninja Gaiden 4, marking the long-awaited return of the legendary ninja action-adventure series with its fourth installment.
Developed by Team Ninja in partnership with PlatinumGames, Ninja Gaiden 4 builds upon the core elements that have established the series as a beloved classic among dedicated fans, while aiming to draw in newcomers—those unfamiliar with the Ninja Gaiden franchise—with a thrilling, cutting-edge, and adrenaline-charged experience.
The game masterfully merges Team NINJA’s methodical combat philosophy with PlatinumGames’ signature fluid and dynamic action gameplay, delivering exhilarating, visually stunning battles that reward precision, strategy, and an obsessive attention to detail—immersing players in a deeply customizable experience.
Set against the backdrop of a Tokyo ravaged by an unyielding downpour of miasma, following the resurrection of a long-forgotten enemy, the fate of the city—and its very future—lies in the hands of young ninja prodigy, Yakumo. As he carves his path through an army of cybernetic ninja soldiers and otherworldly creatures, Yakumo must come to terms with a destiny intertwined with that of the legendary Ryu Hayabusa, while striving to break the ancient curse that has brought the city to its knees.
Ninja Gaiden 4 is scheduled for release in Fall 2025 on PC via Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S, and will be available at launch on both PC Game Pass and Xbox Game Pass.
For the latest updates on the game, stay tuned and make sure to follow Team Ninja and PlatinumGames on their X accounts to keep up with news and upcoming announcements.
That’s all for today. Until next time!
