Review: Ninja Gaiden 4 (Xbox S|X)

Ninja Gaiden 4 is a triumphant return for a series first introduced for the Nintendo Entertainment System, and whose rebirth has been slicing its way into gamers’ affections since the days of the original Xbox. Based on the success of the series over the years, we approached this game with high expectations—and it delivered a mixture of spine-tingling action, stunning looks, and punishing challenge that kept us coming back for more, even through a couple of infuriating setbacks. It’s a love letter to fans and a new starting point for newcomers, but it requires your attention and patience.

The game meets us with the hero Yakumo, a punk-rock-infused, obnoxious young ninja who wears an attitude-yelling mask. He has a mission full of demons, ancient factions, and plenty of over-the-top betrayals—picture a high-octane anime action film. While Yakumo isn’t Ryu Hayabusa, the former protagonist in the entire Ninja Gaiden series, that doesn’t mean that Ryu won’t be involved somehow. The plot isn’t rich enough to deserve awards, but it’s energetic enough to see you through the around 12-hour campaign. His side quests, which open up new techniques and tough test stages, are the highlight of the game for fans and add depth to the game world.

Combat is where Ninja Gaiden 4 excels most. Yakumo’s arsenal—double blades, flip-flopping acrobatics, and silky combos—has you playing like a ninja superstar when you execute it perfectly. Unleashing an ultimate ninpo whirlwind attack, one that decimates foes like a storm, is gaming nirvana. But don’t expect it to be easy: enemies are ruthless, dodging your blows and retaliating when they can. The dodges and parries have to be learned, and I’ll admit that we got more than a few of those knockdowns before mastering it. The game has difficulty levels from “Novice” for a light dose to “Master Ninja” for a real test of skill. And better still, there’s a “Death Wish” mode. Features such as move rewinds and a training dojo make the learning process simpler, a welcome addition for beginners.

On Xbox, even the Series S, the title is a visual treat. Neon-lit cities, creepy temples, and gruesome combat effects look marvelous as they create a world that’s as gorgeous as it is lethal. It clocks consistently at 60 FPS, but for players with a PlayStation 5, PlayStation 5 Pro, Or Xbox Series X there’s an option to run at 120 FPS, so every move is as sharp as a blade. The music, which combines sweeping orchestral themes with brutal metal riffs, psychs you up for every fight, and the ringing of steel on steel adds weight to every punch he lands. Our only area for opportunity is that the camera can get a little wonky close up, occasionally blurring the action at the worst possible moment, which can break the immersion.

Boss battles are generally epic, with a couple of them feeling like souped-up versions of normal enemies, which is a letdown. The story also slows down in places, especially when exploring ninja clan politics—we just wanted to get back to the action. These are still minor hiccups in an otherwise engaging experience, however.

Ninja Gaiden 4 is a must-play for diehards who were hoping for the series to return, and it’s welcoming enough for newcomers to challenge themselves. It’s not without its issues, but when you’re building those flawless combos and watching enemies fall, you can’t help but feel like a god of ninja. Just be ready to practice—and maybe take a deep breath during the tougher fights.

Ninja Gaiden 4 is now available for Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X, PlayStation 5, and PlayStation 5 Pro for an MSRP of $69.99 for the standard edition, while the Gold edition is $89.99.

Ninja Gaiden 4 is also available on Xbox Gamepass.