Details You Might Have Missed In The Ninja Gaiden 4 Trailer

Summary

• Ninja Gaiden 4 is a collaborative effort between Team NINJA, PlatinumGames, and Microsoft.
• The game features PlatinumGames’ spectacle, manga-inspired decapitations, and high-octane action.
• Ninja Gaiden 4 showcases enhanced movement, eerie supernatural powers, and a continued focus on stealth action.

After nearly fifteen years of waiting since the last numbered installment in the modern Ninja Gaiden franchise, the surprise reveal of Ninja Gaiden 4 at Microsoft’s January 2025 Xbox Developer Direct showcase has been a momentous moment for many fans of the franchise. Positioned alongside an Unreal Engine 5 remaster of the much-loved Ninja Gaiden 2, the latest installment in the Ninja Gaiden franchise provided much information for fans, yet some elements were hidden in the densely-packed reveal trailer for others to uncover.

From surprising cross-platform availability to the presentation of significant mechanical and narrative moments, the collaboratively developed Ninja Gaiden 4‘s reveal trailer had much to say – and not all of it was contained in the teaser’s narration.

1

Ninja Gaiden 4 Is A Collaborative Effort

From Japanese Titans Of Melee Combat To Western Console Manufacturers

Considering the hack n’ slash legacy of both Team NINJA and PlatinumGames’ library of past titles, the fact that these two melee combat titans are collaborating to develop Ninja Theory 4 is a somewhat unsurprising partnership. However, with the introduction of Microsoft as a publishing partner, through its Xbox Game Studios branch, the latest Ninja Gaiden title will simultaneously launch as a retail release and a day-one Xbox Game Pass release.

With Team NINJA and Koei Tecmo’s “deep history with Xbox”, alongside PlatinumGames’ history of collaborating on games like Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance and Star Fox Zero with Hideo Kojima and Nintendo respectively, the communal nature of Ninja Gaiden 4‘s development is atypical of all parties involved.

2

An Inclusion Of PlatinumGames Spectacle

With Manga-Inspired Decapitations & High-Octane Action

With the “speed and dynamic expression of PlatinumGames” being utilized by Koei Tecmo’s development of Ninja Gaiden 4, the spectacle and set pieces of The Wonderful 101 and Vanquish developer are on full display in the latest installment of the Ninja Gaiden franchise.

With series newcomer Yakumo executing manga-inspired Bloodbath Kill moves and using his dual blade to scale crumbling infrastructure, the blockbuster gameplay of PlatinumGames’ DNA can be seen infused with Ninja Gaiden‘s themes and setting. In seemingly channeling some of the most entertaining aspects of PlatinumGames’ portfolio of titles, the environmental destruction and intimate lethality of combat in Ninja Gaiden 4 are set to be some of the titles’ most endearing aspects.

3

PlatinumGames’ Multi-Stage Boss Design Returns

With Fixed Angles, Damaging Projectiles, & Dodgeable Attacks

With PlatinumGames’ renown for creating a multitude of titles with boss battles that “keep players on their toes and sometimes take literal hours to finally defeat”, the inclusion of two seemingly PlatinumGames-esque bosses in the Ninja Gaiden 4 reveal trailer may be indicative of the collaborative project’s focus.

With the gargantuan projectile-emanating boss of the trailer’s second half, Ninja Gaiden 4 seemingly proposes that bosses may utilize the Bayonetta developer’s celebrated style. Showing the red and white-colored boss fight shifting to a fixed camera, with an apparent focus on dodging the enemy’s rotating orb-like attacks, Ninja Gaiden 4‘s development may well have looked to PlatinumGames to develop its titanic antagonists.

4

The Showcasing Of Multiple Playable Characters

The Inclusion Of A Ninja Gaiden Legend & A Youthful Newcomer

Even in the 21st century, more than 500 years since the ninja’s inception, the idea of “their swift movements and powerful skills to slice up their enemies” has continued to emanate across the centuries. Since 1988, the Ninja Gaiden series has continued this Feudal era lineage with series staple protagonist Ryu Hayabusa.

However – with a decisive approach in attempting to “make the series more approachable” – Ninja Gaiden 4 is positioned as following the lethal antics of another ninja warrior in Yakumo. Proclaimed as the “potential Master Ninja of the next generation”, Yakumo seemingly utilizes a more acrobatic and supernatural combat and movement style than the classic Ninja Gaiden flag-bearer. However, with Ryu Hayabusa still slated to play a “pivotal role” in Ninja Gaiden 4‘s narrative, and the rival clan members crossing swords in the reveal trailer, the Ninja Gaiden series’ pool of protagonists just got bigger.

5

A Focus On Enhanced Movement

With Grappling Hooks, Swords Slowing A Descent, & Supernatural Wings

Although grappling hooks, wall-running, and sword-climbing are not movement mechanics exclusive to Ninja Gaiden 4, the multi-team development team pushes these items’ potential for increased traversal to the forefront of the title’s advertising.

Seen in the installment’s reveal trailer, series newcomer Yakumo can be seen taking advantage of a grappling item to not only travel across far gaps but to quickly zip between parallel train tracks that can be seemingly balanced on at high speed. Bolstered by Ninja Gaiden 4‘s “enhanced verticality” compared to other titles in the series, the combat and exploration potential of the title’s increased movement is arguably endless.

6

The Inclusion Of Eerie Supernatural Powers

Departing Natural Magic For Blood-Infused Incantations

Contrasting with Rya Hayabusa’s use of Ninpo Magic, which often revolves around the utilization of natural elements, Ninja Gaiden 4‘s revealed protagonist Yakumo makes use of the supernatural power of the Bloodraven Form to unleash lethal magic on his enemies.

Seemingly manipulating “the blood of oneself and enemies”, Yakumo is capable of forging blood-formed blades of immense deadliness that can not only bisect single opponents but clear a room of enemies. Compounded by Yahumo’s seeming ability to incorporate a Bayonetta-esque dodge that can be used to inflict a flurry of devastating attacks on an enemy, Ninja Gaiden 4‘s combat purportedly tweaks the Ninja Gaiden series’ fighting style with an added layer of PlatinumGames-like style and supernatural abilities.

7

A Continued Application Of Stealth

A Minute Yet Momentous Inclusion Of A Typical Ninja Trait

Despite the series’ focus on the legendary figure of the ninja, whose sneaking subterfuge is one of its most recognizable characteristics, the Ninja Gaiden franchise has notably pivoted to an action-focused experience.

Regardless of the series seemingly ditching realistic stealth for a more lethal take on the Feudal Japanese figure, Ninja Gaiden 4 is seemingly retaining some covert-style gameplay. With the Ninja Gaiden 4 reveal trailer presenting series newcomer Yakumo dropping from a shadowy height to take down a member of the Divine Dragon Order, the series’ apparent evasiveness of genuine stealth gameplay may well be at an end.

8

The Continuation Of The Series’ Red Orbs

Ryu Hayabusa’s Ninpo Powers Are Seemingly Still Powered By Floating Energy

While players won’t know how the mechanics of Ninja Gaiden 4‘s combat will coalesce with Yakumo’s obliteration and ultimate techniques until the 2025 collaboratively-developed hack n’ slash has been released, many elements of Ninja Gaiden titles of the past have been shown in the upcoming title’s initial reveal trailer.

Provided to the player upon the damaging and defeat of an enemy, differently colored orbs have charged Ryu Hayabusa’s spells, health, and currency in previous Ninja Gaiden titles. As can be seen when Microsoft showcased Ryu’s inclusion in Ninja Gaiden 4, red orbs providing Ki charges for the Master Ninja’s Ninpo spell can be seen floating on the ground and gravitating toward the player. Ultimately used for unleashing a range of elemental magic, the inclusion of orbs are seemingly not only a legacy inclusion but a way Team NINJA and PlatinumGames can create a difference between the two playable protagonists.

9

A Distinctive Push For Cross Platform Availability

Despite Microsoft Publishing The Game, It Will Be Available On Other Consoles

Considering that “most of the big new multi-platform games released these days support crossplay” and that – despite some Xbox fans’ outcry – Microsoft’s multiplatform strategy is “likely that it’s here to stay, considering the company’s recent efforts”, it should be no surprise that Ninja Gaiden 4 is being made available to most fans.

Revealed in the closing moments of the Ninja Gaiden 4 reveal trailer, the Microsoft-published title will not only be coming to the Xbox ecosystem through Xbox Game Pass but Steam and the PlayStation 5. Microsoft is most likely hoping that Ninja Gaiden 4‘s inclusion on its game subscription service will provide a tangible boost to users, while Team NINJA head Fumihiko Yasuda has proudly stated that “we’re excited that more people will have the opportunity to experience” their work.

10

The Mysterious Dark Dragon Is Still Alive

Despite Exuding A Poisonous Rain & Loitering In The Sky

Considering the Dark Dragon’s seeming destruction in the legacy titles of the Ninja Gaiden franchise, with its remains having been repurposed into both the legendary Dark Dragon Blade and the world’s various Dark Dragonstones, the vocal introduction of the Dark Dragon of Ninja Gaiden 4‘s world-ending threat is a peculiar one.

With the Dark Dragon’s defeat established in the opening moments of the Ninja Gaiden 4 reveal, and the decaying properties of its body keeping the streets of cyberpunk Tokyo bathed in the Rain of Darkrot, the looming presence of the Dark Dragon is seemingly going to be present throughout the upcoming title’s runtime. Compounding the deity’s place within the narrative is the proclamation that not only will the Dark Dragon be a persistent menace, but “peace will not return to Tokyo until the rain comes to an end” – highlighting that Yakamo and Ryu Hayabusa’s ultimate goal will most likely be its katana-induced defeat.