The 2025 Xbox Developer Direct brought a thrilling announcement for fans of classic action games: the revival of the beloved Ninja Gaiden series. Not only are we getting Ninja Gaiden 4, but Ninja Gaiden 2 Black was shadow dropped immediately after the event, marking a significant resurgence for the franchise. This comes as a surprise, especially since the last major entry, Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge, was released in 2012, aside from the Ninja Gaiden: Master Collection compilation. The return of Ninja Gaiden could signify a pivotal moment for the gaming industry, bringing back the old-school 3D action genre that has been overshadowed by Soulslike games in recent years.
In the past, games like Ninja Gaiden, Devil May Cry, and the original God of War series dominated the action genre. However, the rise of Soulslike titles such as Dark Souls, Bloodborne, and Elden Ring from FromSoftware has shifted the focus. While we appreciate the Soulslike genre, there's a clear need for diversity in the AAA marketplace, and Ninja Gaiden's return could help balance the scales in the action genre.
### **The Dragon Lineage**The Ninja Gaiden series has long been widely considered the pinnacle of action gaming. The 2004 relaunch on the original Xbox transformed the series from its 2D roots on the NES into a 3D action masterpiece. Ryu Hayabusa's adventures became iconic for their smooth gameplay, fluid animations, and intense difficulty. While other hack and slash games existed, Ninja Gaiden's unique challenge set it apart, with players often recounting their struggles against the first boss, Murai, and his nunchaku mastery.
Despite its difficulty, Ninja Gaiden's challenge is fair, primarily stemming from player errors rather than unfair game design. Mastering the game's combat rhythm, which involves precise movement, defense, and counter-attacks, is key. From the iconic Izuna Drop to the powerful Ultimate Techniques and a variety of weapon combos, Ninja Gaiden offers players the tools needed to overcome its challenges.
Ninja Gaiden's influence on the gaming community, particularly its brutal challenge and the satisfaction of conquering high difficulty settings, paved the way for the Soulslike phenomenon. While Soulslike games have dominated the action genre, Ninja Gaiden's return offers hope for a resurgence of traditional action games.
Follow the Leader
The release of Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 in 2009, the same year as Demon’s Souls, marked a turning point. Demon’s Souls received strong reviews and set the stage for Dark Souls in 2011, which is often cited as one of the greatest games ever made, including by IGN. As Ninja Gaiden 3 and its rerelease Razor’s Edge struggled, Dark Souls and its sequels, along with FromSoftware's subsequent titles like Bloodborne, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, and Elden Ring, dominated the action market.
AnswerSee ResultsThe widespread adoption of Soulslike mechanics extended to other franchises, including Respawn Entertainment’s Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and its sequel Jedi: Survivor, Team Ninja’s Nioh, and Game Science’s Black Myth: Wukong. While these games are critically acclaimed, the dominance of the Soulslike model has led to a scarcity of classic 3D action games. Ninja Gaiden's return after over a decade, along with the last major Devil May Cry entry, DMC5, in 2019, and the revamped God of War in 2018, highlights this shift. The new God of War games, while not exact copies, share more similarities with Soulslike games than with their original style.
Soulslike games are characterized by challenging combat requiring precise timing of dodges and parries, stamina management, customizable character builds, expansive level design, and save points that heal and respawn enemies. While FromSoftware pioneered this model, its widespread adoption has saturated the market. Ninja Gaiden 2 Black's release offers a refreshing return to the strengths of character action games.
The Master Ninja Returns
Ninja Gaiden 2 Black revitalizes the action genre with its fast-paced combat, diverse weapon selection, and the reintroduction of gore that was missing from the Sigma version. This remaster is the definitive version of Ninja Gaiden 2 for modern hardware and an excellent entry point for new players. While some veteran players might miss the original's difficulty and enemy density, Ninja Gaiden 2 Black strikes a balance, offering a challenging yet fair experience with added content from Sigma 2, minus the unpopular statue boss fights.
Ninja Gaiden 4 Screenshots
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This remaster serves as a reminder of the unique experiences lost as the action genre shifted towards Soulslike games. Games inspired by Ninja Gaiden and God of War, such as PlatinumGames’ Bayonetta, Visceral Games’ Dante’s Inferno, Vigil Games’ Darksiders, and even FromSoftware’s Ninja Blade, were prevalent in the late 2000s and early 2010s. The fast-paced, combo-based combat against numerous foes and epic bosses in a linear format is a formula that has faded as Soulslike games took over. Although games like Hi-Fi Rush in 2023 have kept the spirit alive, Ninja Gaiden 2 Black stands out as a major release in this style.
Replaying Ninja Gaiden 2 in its latest form underscores the purity of action games like it. Without cheats, builds, or experience points, players must master the game's mechanics with the tools provided. The experience is about skill and perseverance, leading to repeated Game Over screens until mastery is achieved. While Soulslike games will likely remain popular, the return of Ninja Gaiden could herald a new golden age for action games, catering to an audience eager for variety in their gaming experiences.
