Ninja Gaiden Returns: A Soulslike Antidote

The 2025 Xbox Developer Direct unveiled some huge surprises, but the Ninja Gaiden revival might be the biggest. This classic action franchise is getting multiple new games, including Ninja Gaiden 4 and a surprise shadow drop, Ninja Gaiden 2 Black. This is a significant shift, considering the last mainline entry was Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge in 2012 (excluding the Master Collection). This return could mark a turning point for gaming, signaling a resurgence of classic 3D action games after years of Soulslike dominance.

Games like Ninja Gaiden, Devil May Cry, and the original God of War once defined the action genre. However, FromSoftware titles like Dark Souls, Bloodborne, and Elden Ring have largely supplanted that style. While Soulslike games are excellent, the AAA market should offer diverse experiences. Ninja Gaiden's return could be the much-needed balance the action genre craves.

The Dragon Lineage

The Ninja Gaiden series was once considered the apex of action games. The 2004 Xbox reboot, a departure from its 2D NES roots, became iconic for its smooth gameplay, fluid animation, and brutal difficulty. While other hack-and-slash titles existed, Ninja Gaiden stood out, challenging players from the very first level. Many recount their struggles against Murai, the formidable nunchaku-wielding first boss.

Despite its difficulty, Ninja Gaiden’s challenges are largely fair. Deaths result from player mistakes, demanding mastery of combat rhythm—the interplay of movement, defense, and counter-attacks. Iconic moves like the Izuna Drop, powerful Ultimate Techniques, and diverse weapon combos provide ample tools to overcome obstacles.

Interestingly, Ninja Gaiden ironically foreshadowed the Soulslike phenomenon. Its demanding difficulty and the satisfaction of overcoming seemingly insurmountable odds influenced the mindset of Soulslike fans. Few action games demand such mechanical mastery, a concept FromSoftware refined into a subgenre. However, this success might have been *too* successful, as Soulslike games have dominated action gaming for over a decade.

Follow the Leader

It’s no coincidence that Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 (a widely considered inferior PS3 port) launched the same year as Demon’s Souls (2009). Demon’s Souls received strong reviews and paved the way for Dark Souls (2011), a landmark title frequently cited as one of the greatest games ever made, including by IGN. While Ninja Gaiden 3 and Razor’s Edge faltered, Dark Souls carved a significant space in the action market, spawning sequels and influencing titles like Bloodborne, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, and Elden Ring.

FromSoftware's mechanics influenced many franchises, including Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, Jedi: Survivor, Nioh, and Black Myth: Wukong—all critically acclaimed. There’s nothing inherently wrong with the Soulslike formula, but its prevalence has stifled the AAA action space, leaving classic 3D action games scarce. Ninja Gaiden’s return, after over a decade, is significant, as is the fact that the last proper Devil May Cry entry, DMC5, was released in 2019. While God of War was revived in 2018, it shifted away from its fast-paced hack-and-slash roots towards a more methodical, semi-open-world style.

Soulslike hallmarks—timed dodges, parries, stamina management, character builds, open-ended levels, and save points—are recognizable. While fitting for FromSoftware, widespread imitation has led to an oversaturation. Ninja Gaiden’s return allows the strengths of character action games to shine again.

The Master Ninja Returns

Ninja Gaiden 2 Black offers a refreshing change. The lightning-fast combat, diverse weapons, and restored gore (absent from Sigma 2) make it the best version on modern hardware, an ideal entry point for newcomers. While veterans might critique difficulty adjustments, the original Ninja Gaiden II suffered from technical issues and unbalanced design. Ninja Gaiden 2 Black strikes a balance, retaining high difficulty and gore while incorporating Sigma 2’s extra content (minus the unpopular statue boss fights).

Ninja Gaiden 4 Screenshots

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This remaster showcases what was lost when similar games ceased being a genre pillar. Games inspired by Ninja Gaiden and God of War were prevalent in the late 2000s and early 2010s (e.g., Bayonetta, Dante’s Inferno, Darksiders, and even FromSoftware’s Ninja Blade). The frenetic combat against numerous foes and giant bosses in a linear format is a proven formula, surprisingly overshadowed by the Soulslike model. While similar games exist (like Hi-Fi Rush), Ninja Gaiden 2 Black is a prominent example from a major developer in years.

Replaying Ninja Gaiden 2 Black highlights the unique experience it offers. There are no shortcuts—no build guides, experience points, or stamina bars limiting abilities. It’s a pure test of skill, demanding mastery of the given tools. Success or failure rests solely on the player's ability. While Soulslike games remain popular, Ninja Gaiden's return hopefully ushers in a new golden age for action games, providing enough room for both styles to thrive.