Ninja Gaiden 4 is out today (October 21) and according to reviews, is a badass hack-and-slash game with a questionable plot.
Ninja Gaiden 4 was announced earlier this year and comes more than a decade after 2012’s Ninja Gaiden 3.
“The definitive ninja hack & slash franchise returns with Ninja Gaiden 4. Embark on a cutting-edge adventure where legacy meets innovation in this high-octane blend of style and no-holds-barred combat,” reads the official description of the game. “Experience a return to the intense, high-speed combat that established Ninja Gaiden as a premier action game series. Prepare for a legacy reborn with captivating style for a new generation of players.”
Ninja Gaiden 4 launched today for PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, and is a Day One release for Xbox Game Pass subscribers. According to reviews, the latest entry in the long-running series is well worth your time, with a “generally favourable” review score of 83 per cent via aggregate site Metacritic.
finishing ninja gaiden 4 tonight. i think the only issue is that the level design isn’t great, and that’s where the storytelling falls short. world design is storytelling.
but the action is so goddamn good. easy recommend for all fans of the late great Itagaki series.
— Gene Park (@GenePark) October 21, 2025
“Ninja Gaiden 4 is a balls-to-the-wall action game with a relentless pace and an almost comedic level of gory combat. It’s very much a one-trick pony, however, and as thoroughly entertaining as fighting waves of enemies is, its tendency to recycle assets near the end of the game means it can start to overstay its welcome if you don’t take it upon yourself to use the wide variety of optional moves available to you,” reads the four-star review from VCG.
Recommended
Dexteroo praised the hack and slash gameplay and called it a “phenomenal return to form for a series that looked spent” in their four-star review, while pointing out “pacing issues” with the story. “Ninja Gaiden 4 lives up to the fame of the series and offers an experience that is as bloody as it is enjoyable. Despite falling into visual and plot monotony at times, the incredible combat takes the lead providing an unforgettable experience for everyone who loves a good action game,” wrote IGN.
Ninja Gaiden 4 also seems to be a hit with players, earning a “very positive” review score on digital storefront Steam.
Earlier this week Tomonobu Itagaki, the driving force behind the 2004 reboot of Ninja Gaiden and the creator of Dead Or Alive, died aged 58. “My life has been a series of battles. I kept winning. I’ve caused a lot of trouble, too. I’m proud to say that I followed my beliefs and fought to the end. I have no regrets. However, I’m filled with regret that I wasn’t able to deliver a new work to all my fans. I’m sorry,” he wrote in a message that was shared after his death.
In other news, the rumoured Final Fantasy 9 remake is reportedly “on ice” at Square Enix, according to leaker NateTheHate.
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