NINJA GAIDEN 4
PlatinumGames Inc. / Team NINJA / KOEI TECMO GAMES CO., LTD.) · Xbox Game Studios
Ninja Gaiden 4 review
Team Ninja and PlatinumGames’ blood-soaked revival slices its way into Game Pass Premium.
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Already on Ultimate and PC Game Pass since its October 2025 launch, Ninja Gaiden 4 now joins the Premium tier — and if you skipped it the first time, this is your cue. Team Ninja and PlatinumGames share the sword, with newcomer Yakumo leading and Ryu Hayabusa cast as his rival.
The critical story is simple: the combat is phenomenal and everything around it is merely fine. It holds an 82 Top Critic Average on OpenCritic. IGN (8/10) said that despite a disappointing story and bland level design, the excellent combat makes it “one of the best 3D action games in recent memory.” GamesRadar+ gave it a perfect 5/5, TheGamer (4.5/5) said Platinum clearly understands what makes the series special, and GameSpot (8/10) said it brings the series back with a bang.
Not everyone was sold on the extras. PC Gamer (69/100) felt the bloody good combat carries it through its more extraneous “modern” additions, and Hardcore Gamer landed at 3.5/5. OpenCritic’s critic consensus sums it up: linear levels and a simple story hold it back slightly, but the core loop and intense battles make it a standout.
A note for newcomers: the easiest setting, Hero mode, comes with automated assists — but Can I Play That? strongly criticised how the game penalises players who turn them on (see Accessibility below).
“One of the best 3D action games in recent memory.”— IGN
Hits
- Brutal, razor-sharp combat
- Relentless pace from start to finish
- Tough enough to reward mastery
Misses
- Forgettable story
- Linear, bland level design
- Assists lock you into the easiest difficulty
…you judge a game by how good it feels to dash, parry and dismember — story strictly optional.
Deep dive
Time to beat
157 / 186 / 12 players polled.
Play now or wait?
It’s been out for a year, it’s polished, and it’s now in Premium. Series S players should expect a big visual downgrade.
Tonight’s Play’s call Play now or wait?Tonight’s Play’s call, based on the sourced reviews and performance reports on this page.
How it runs
Xbox Series X
The default performance mode runs at an apparent 1080p, upscaled to 4K with FSR, and nearly locks to 60fps. The roughly 1440p 30fps quality mode suffers regular frame-time stutter, and the 720p 120fps mode lands closer to 90–100fps while cutting SSR, motion blur and some particle effects. Digital Foundry recommends the 60fps mode as largely stable and smooth.
Xbox Series S
No 120fps mode. The 60fps mode targets a low native 720p with dynamic resolution, very blurry textures and effects such as SSR, AO and motion blur disabled. Digital Foundry compared the look to a “PS3 era game”. The 30fps mode has a variable, unlocked frame rate.
PC
Digital Foundry’s review headline: “Platinum’s bespoke engine shines — especially on PC, PS5 Pro.”
Accessibility
Can I Play That? praises customisable HUD colours and text sizes, high-contrast options and legible subtitles, and notes assists including Auto Assist, Auto Block, Auto Heal, Auto Movement and Auto Interact. But controls aren’t fully remappable, turning on Auto Assist, Auto Block or Auto Heal forces the easiest (“Hero”) difficulty, and Auto Movement disables scoring. The reviewer called its handling of accessibility the worst he has seen.
About the game
Read the publisher’s descriptionHide description
The definitive ninja action-adventure franchise returns with NINJA GAIDEN 4! Embark on a cutting-edge adventure where legacy meets innovation in a high-octane blend of style and no-holds-barred combat.
The definitive ninja hack & slash franchise returns with NINJA GAIDEN 4! Embark on a cutting-edge adventure where legacy meets innovation in this high-octane blend of style and no-holds-barred combat.
Return of the Legend
Experience a return to the intense, high-speed combat that established NINJA GAIDEN as a premier action game series. Prepare for a legacy reborn with captivating style for a new generation of players.
Epic Hack and Slash Combat, Evolved
NINJA GAIDEN 4 fuses Team NINJA’s tempered combat philosophy with the stylish, dynamic action gameplay of PlatinumGames. Engage in visually stunning combat that rewards precision and strategy. Use Bloodbind Ninjutsu to transform your weapons and unleash devastation upon your enemies, alongside legacy techniques like the Izuna Drop and Flying Swallow. The legendary Ryu Hayabusa also returns with a revamped yet familiar set of tools to master. With a customizable player experience, NINJA GAIDEN 4 will push action game veterans to their limits while allowing newcomers to enjoy a heart-pounding adventure full of twists and turns.
An Ancient Enemy Returns
An endless rain of miasma hangs over a near-future Tokyo in the wake of an ancient enemy’s resurrection. The fate of the city lies in the hands of young ninja prodigy, Yakumo. Fighting his way through cybernetic ninja soldiers and otherworldly creatures, Yakumo must reconcile a destiny he shares with the legendary Ryu Hayabusa himself and free Tokyo from the ancient curse that brought the city to its knees.
Description from the publisher’s Microsoft Store listing.
Trailer
Official trailer · XBOX on YouTube · Watch on YouTube ↗ Trailer & privacyLoads from youtube-nocookie.com only when you press play.
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Details & art: official Microsoft Store listings and press kits; art © the respective publishers. Details & artGame details and art come from each game’s official Microsoft Store listing (cover images are cropped from those official images, or from publisher press kits, with our title overlay; nothing is AI-generated); art © the respective publishers, used for editorial review. Game Pass membership from Microsoft’s public Game Pass catalog, checked Sep 30, 2026. Critic scores appear only where a real aggregate exists; otherwise “Not yet reported”.