The resurgence of Ninja Gaiden at the 2025 Xbox Developer Direct was a major highlight, announcing not one, but multiple new titles, including Ninja Gaiden 4 and a surprise shadow drop of Ninja Gaiden 2 Black. This marks a significant comeback for the franchise, absent from the spotlight since Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge in 2012 (excluding the Master Collection). More importantly, it signals a potential shift in the action game landscape, a genre long dominated by Soulslike titles.

While Soulslike games from FromSoftware (like Dark Souls, Bloodborne, and Elden Ring) have undeniably reigned supreme, the return of Ninja Gaiden offers a much-needed counterbalance. The classic action style, once epitomized by Ninja Gaiden, Devil May Cry, and the original God of War trilogy, deserves a place alongside the Soulslike formula in the AAA market.

A Legacy of Dragons

The original Ninja Gaiden (2004) redefined action games. Its fluid animation, precise controls, and brutal difficulty set it apart. While other hack-and-slash titles existed, Ninja Gaiden’s unforgiving challenge was unique, demanding mastery of its mechanics. The difficulty, though demanding, was generally fair, rewarding skillful play and precise execution of combos, utilizing tools like the Izuna Drop and Ultimate Techniques. This demanding yet rewarding gameplay fostered a community that valued skill mastery, a mindset that ironically foreshadowed the Soulslike phenomenon.

A Shift in Power

The release of Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 (a PS3 port considered inferior to the original) coincided with Demon's Souls (2009), a game that paved the way for the monumental success of Dark Souls (2011). While Ninja Gaiden 3 and Razor’s Edge struggled, Dark Souls and its successors established a dominant presence in the action genre. This Soulslike influence spread to other franchises, including Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, Nioh, and Black Myth: Wukong.

While Soulslike games aren't inherently flawed, their widespread adoption has arguably stifled innovation in the classic 3D action space. The last major entries in similar franchises – DMC5 (2019) and the rebooted God of War (2018) – have, to varying degrees, adopted elements of the Soulslike formula, losing some of their original fast-paced, linear character. Soulslike hallmarks – timed dodges, stamina management, build customization, open-world design, and save points – while effective, have become somewhat overused.

The Ninja's Return

Ninja Gaiden 2 Black provides a refreshing change of pace. Its lightning-fast combat, diverse weaponry, and restored gore (absent in Sigma 2) make it the definitive version of the game. While some veterans may criticize adjustments to difficulty and enemy numbers, these changes address the original's technical limitations and unbalanced design. Ninja Gaiden 2 Black strikes a balance, retaining high difficulty and adding content from Sigma 2 (excluding unpopular elements).

This remaster underscores the loss of the classic action game style. The frenetic combat, numerous enemies, and challenging boss encounters of the late 2000s and early 2010s (seen in games like Bayonetta, Dante's Inferno, and Darksiders) have become less common. While some games maintain similar mechanics (Hi-Fi Rush), Ninja Gaiden 2 Black stands out as a major release in this style.

The purity of Ninja Gaiden's gameplay – the lack of "cheats," build guides, or experience points – demands mastery. It's a raw, challenging experience. While Soulslike games likely won't disappear, the return of Ninja Gaiden hopefully heralds a renaissance for classic action games, proving there's room for both styles to thrive.

Ninja Gaiden 4 Screenshots

19 Images