The game from Team Ninja and PlatinumGames will be published by Microsoft… and presumably won’t appear on Sony’s console until later.

The definitive ninja hack-and-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. Experience a return to the intense, high-speed combat that established Ninja Gaiden as a premier action game series. Prepare to see a legacy reborn with captivating style for a new generation of players. Ninja Gaiden 4 blends Team Ninja’s tempered combat philosophy with PlatinumGames’ stylish, dynamic action gameplay. Engage in visually stunning combat that rewards precision and strategy. Use the Bloodbind Ninjutsu to transform your weapons and wreak havoc on your enemies, alongside more traditional techniques such as 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 endless rain of miasma hangs over a near-future Tokyo after the resurrection of an ancient enemy. The fate of the city lies in the hands of a young ninja prodigy named 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 has brought the city to its knees.

Ninja Gaiden 4 is positioned as a direct sequel to Ninja Gaiden 3. While maintaining the dark and gritty world that the series is known for, players will take on the role of a new protagonist, Yakumo. Players will find themselves in a gruesomely transformed Tokyo. One of the central themes of the story is the return of the Dark Dragon, which has plunged the city into chaos. In this unsettling environment, Yakumo must face off against his enemies, as well as the formidable Master Ninja himself, Ryu Hayabusa. The developers wanted a new hero to make the series more accessible to new players. They also wanted longtime fans to enjoy the game, so Ryu Hayabusa plays a significant role in the story and serves as a major challenge and growth milestone for Yakumo. Ryu will appear and be playable throughout the game, ensuring that his skills and presence are deeply felt.

Yakumo showcases stylish new mechanics, including traversal using wires and rails, something new for a Ninja Gaiden title. Adversity is a key concept in this game. From the beginning to the end of each stage, and even in the transitions between them, everything is designed to represent adversity for Yakumo. Tokyo in this game has been drastically changed by the influence of the underworld, which is why it looks like this. Rain is an important visual theme in this game. The developers put a lot of effort into how characters look when they are soaked, how raindrops hit the ground, and various other effects.

One of the key differences between modern action games and Ninja Gaiden lies in the sense of fairness when facing enemies. Enemies are designed to be masters of defense and experts in relentless aggression, but players never feel like they’re at an unfair disadvantage. There’s a sense of balance that’s been passed down through the series that transcends today’s trends. When it comes to the feel of the game, Team Ninja was deeply involved. Fairness in combat is only possible when ultimate playability is a given. To achieve this, they pushed for even deeper refinement of the controls and other aspects. One of the most prominent features is Yakumo’s Bloodraven Form, a technique that manipulates his own blood and that of his enemies, transforming it into a massive weapon capable of slicing through multiple enemies at once. When certain conditions are met, he can unleash a move called the Bloodbath Kill, which instantly cuts enemies in half with a single strike.

Ninja Gaiden 4 is published by Xbox Gsme Studios and is scheduled for release this fall on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series and PC. It will also be available on Xbox Game Pass. We think the PlayStation 5 port will be delayed here as well…

Source: Gematsu