Ninja Gaiden 4 Unveiled at Xbox Developer Direct 2025

Dive into the thrilling world of Ninja Gaiden as we unveil the gameplay details and release dates for Ninja Gaiden 4 and Ninja Gaiden 2 Black, both showcased at Xbox Developer Direct 2025.

Ninja Gaiden Games Revealed As Surprise During Xbox Developer Direct 2025

Team Ninja Declares 2025 As The Year Of The Ninja

During the Xbox Developer Direct 2025, fans were treated to the exciting announcements of Ninja Gaiden 4 and Ninja Gaiden 2 Black. These games were the much-anticipated surprise Japanese IP revealed at the event. As Team Ninja marks its 30th anniversary, they've declared 2025 as "The Year of the Ninja." Fumihiko Yasuda, Head of Team Ninja and Producer for Ninja Gaiden 4 at Koei Tecmo, shared his enthusiasm and hopes that fans will be thrilled with the evolution of the series.

Developed collaboratively by Team Ninja and PlatinumGames, Ninja Gaiden 4 marks the first mainline entry since Ninja Gaiden 3 in 2012. This direct sequel promises to continue the series' tradition of offering challenging yet immensely rewarding gameplay.

The reveal at an Xbox event aligns perfectly with the historical partnership between Team Ninja and Xbox, highlighted by the exclusive releases of the Dead or Alive series and Ninja Gaiden 2 on Xbox platforms.

Ninja Gaiden 4 Features New Protagonist

Ninja Gaiden 4 introduces a fresh face to the franchise: Yakumo, a young ninja from the Raven clan, who aspires to become a Master Ninja. Tomoko Nishii, Art Director at PlatinumGames, explained that Yakumo was designed to stand alongside the legendary Ryu Hayabusa, embodying the essence of what it means to be a ninja.

Yuji Nakao, Ninja Gaiden 4's Producer and Director from PlatinumGames, emphasized the balance they sought to strike with Yakumo. "We wanted to make the series more accessible to new players while ensuring long-time fans enjoy the game. Ryu Hayabusa remains a pivotal figure, acting as a significant challenge and growth milestone for Yakumo," Nakao stated.

Fans of the original protagonist can rest easy knowing that Ryu Hayabusa remains playable, his iconic presence and skill deeply integrated into the fabric of Ninja Gaiden 4.

Ninja Gaiden 4 New Combat Style

Ninja Gaiden 4 promises exhilarating, fast-paced combat, maintaining the series' signature brutality. The game introduces the Bloodbind Ninjutsu Nue Style alongside Yakumo's Raven Style. Masazaku Hirayama, Director at Team Ninja, highlighted the distinctiveness of Yakumo's combat approach while ensuring it feels true to the Ninja Gaiden legacy.

Nakao further elaborated on the game's development philosophy, "We're staying true to the challenging and deep action that defines Ninja Gaiden, while infusing it with the speed and dynamic expression characteristic of PlatinumGames."

With the game currently 70-80% complete and in the polishing phase, more details are expected soon. Yasuda emphasized that Ninja Gaiden 4 remains an action game at its core, and the team is eager to provide fans with hands-on experience opportunities.

Ninja Gaiden 4 Coming Fall 2025

Mark your calendars for Fall 2025, as Ninja Gaiden 4 is set to launch on Xbox Series X|S, PC, and PlayStation 5. The game will be a day one Xbox Game Pass title and is now available for wishlisting. In an Xbox Wire interview, Yasuda discussed the long-held desire to revive the series, crediting the strong relationship between Koei Tecmo's President, Hisashi Koinuma, and PlatinumGames' CEO, Atsushi Inaba, for enabling this collaborative development. Visit our NINJA GAIDEN 4 page for more information.

Ninja Gaiden 2 Black Available Now On Multiple Platforms And Xbox Game Pass

Ninja Gaiden 2 Black, a remake of the original Ninja Gaiden 2 from 2008, is now available on Xbox Series X|S, PC, and PlayStation 5, and is part of Xbox Game Pass. This version introduces additional playable characters such as Ayane, Momiji, and Rachel, previously featured in Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2.

The decision to remake Ninja Gaiden 2 was inspired by fan feedback following the release of the Ninja Gaiden Master Collection in 2021. Yasuda explained that the team aimed to offer players a satisfying experience as they anticipate Ninja Gaiden 4. "This version is crafted to appeal to both veterans of the original and newcomers experiencing it as a modern action game," Yasuda assured.

Explore our NINJA GAIDEN 2 Black page for more details about the game.