Ninja Gaiden 4 Review – A Platinum Games Take on Classic Hack‑and‑Slash

Introduction

Ninja Gaiden 4 marks the latest collaboration between the storied Ninja Gaiden franchise and PlatinumGames, a studio renowned for its fast‑paced, stylish action titles. The game arrives with high expectations from fans of the series’ brutal difficulty and from those who appreciate PlatinumGames’ signature combat design. This article breaks down what the title delivers, where it falls short, and who should consider adding it to their collection.

Legacy of the Ninja Gaiden Series

The Ninja Gaiden brand has always been defined by three core pillars:

• Punishing difficulty that forces precise timing and resource management.
• Heavy, deliberate controls that reward careful positioning.
• Over‑the‑top violence that has become a hallmark of the series.

Earlier entries have swung between tightly crafted, small‑scale encounters (Ninja Gaiden Black) and sprawling, chaotic set‑pieces (Ninja Gaiden 2). Ninja Gaiden 4 leans toward the latter, aiming to blend the series’ classic challenge with PlatinumGames’ flair for kinetic combat.

PlatinumGames Influence

PlatinumGames brings a distinct design philosophy that emphasizes:

• Arcade‑style responsiveness – attacks feel immediate and satisfying.
• Creative weapon mechanics – each weapon has a unique rhythm and set of moves.
• Polished visual flair – bright effects and exaggerated animations.

In Ninja Gaiden 4, these traits are evident. The combat feels unmistakably Platinum, while the underlying difficulty remains true to the Ninja Gaiden ethos. Players who favor Platinum’s style will likely appreciate the game’s execution, even if they miss some of the series’ traditional nuances.

Gameplay and Combat

Combat is the undeniable highlight. The system is deep, rewarding mastery of several layers:

• Standard attacks, combos, and finishers – all classic moves from previous Ninja Gaiden titles are present.
• Bloodbind ninjutsu – a new gauge that powers up weapons, allowing players to break enemy guards and interrupt attacks.
• Ultimate techniques and obliterations – high‑damage moves that feel cinematic when timed correctly.

Each weapon behaves differently, encouraging players to experiment and find a playstyle that fits their preferences. The learning curve is steep, but the payoff is a combat experience that feels both exhilarating and strategically rich.

Story and Characters

The narrative is intentionally lightweight, serving primarily as a framework for the action:

• Protagonist – Ravenclan Ninja Yakumo, an edgy ninja tasked with destroying a black dragon that has ravaged Tokyo.
• Supporting character – Rayu, who appears later in the campaign and offers a brief but satisfying alternate playthrough.
• Goal – Purify four shrines, free a dragon priestess, and confront the final dragon boss.

While the plot lacks the depth of earlier entries, its simplicity keeps the focus on combat. Fans seeking a deep story may feel underwhelmed, but the straightforward premise does not detract from the core gameplay loop.

Level Design and Visuals

Level design is the weakest aspect of the title:

• Linear corridors and open‑area segments dominate, offering limited visual variety.
• Environmental assets are reused heavily, resulting in a muted palette of dark, murky settings.
• Occasional oddities – such as a dance club in a sewer – add a quirky charm for some players but may feel out of place for others.

Overall, the stages feel functional rather than memorable. The design supports the combat but does not elevate it with inventive set‑pieces.

Difficulty and Challenge

• Ninja Gaiden 4* maintains the series’ reputation for demanding gameplay.

• Boss encounters are brutally hard, often requiring multiple restarts and precise execution.
• Enemy AI is aggressive, forcing players to manage resources and timing carefully.
• The difficulty is not a Souls‑like grind; players rarely become completely stuck, but the challenge remains a core selling point.

Replayability and Extras

After completing the main campaign (approximately 11‑12 hours), several post‑game options become available:

• Play as Rayu for the final portion of the story.
• Predition Gates – arena‑style challenges reminiscent of classic Ninja Gaiden arena modes. Players face waves of enemies for rewards, with a risk‑reward system that scales based on health.
• Challenge modes unlock, offering additional combat scenarios for those who wish to hone their skills.

These extras extend the game’s lifespan for combat‑focused players, though they do not dramatically alter the overall experience.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Combat depth – arguably the best PlatinumGames combat system to date.
• Responsive controls that feel both heavy and precise.
• Variety of weapons and techniques keep combat fresh.
• Post‑game content adds replay value for hardcore fans.

Cons

• Sparse story – minimal narrative depth.
• Repetitive level design – limited visual variety and linearity.
• Heavy reliance on Yakumo – Rayu appears late, which may disappoint fans expecting a balanced dual‑protagonist experience.
• Overall presentation feels budget‑constrained, lacking the polish of Platinum’s flagship titles.

Verdict

Ninja Gaiden 4 delivers a tight, satisfying combat experience that will please both Ninja Gaiden purists and PlatinumGames enthusiasts. While the story and level design are underwhelming, the game’s core mechanics are solid enough to recommend it to anyone seeking a challenging hack‑and‑slash title. If you prioritize combat depth over narrative and can overlook the visual repetitiveness, Ninja Gaiden 4 is a worthy addition to your library.

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