Ninja Gaiden 4 review – Platinum standard action

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The Izuna Drop is a signature move from Ninja Gaiden, known for its dramatic impact. Like the Spinning Piledriver, it involves launching an enemy into the air, grabbing them, and driving them headfirst into the ground with a powerful, spinal-crushing attack. Ninja Gaiden features many moves like this – performed either during combos or through special controller inputs, such as quickly moving the analog stick. These over-the-top techniques define Ninja Gaiden as a thrilling character action game, letting you launch enemies, switch weapons, and keep them airborne for huge damage.

I wasn’t surprised to see such quality from PlatinumGames – they’ve made incredible action games like Bayonetta, Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance, and Nier Automata. However, this new game feels different. While the new character, Yakumo, has impressive ninja skills, it doesn’t quite capture the feel of the older Ninja Gaiden games. Ryu Hayabusa was powerful and fast, but also felt weighty and impactful. Yakumo, on the other hand, is all about speed and feels lighter, more in line with other games PlatinumGames has created than the classic 3D Ninja Gaiden trilogy.

Ninja Gaiden 4 doesn’t quite make a strong first impression. Compared to previous games, it initially feels a little less polished, and it lacks the explosive, attention-grabbing introduction seen in titles like Nier Automata and Bayonetta 2. The combat is smooth and responsive right away, but it’s not particularly spectacular.

It takes a little while to get the hang of Yakumo’s abilities. The first chapter doesn’t really give you enough opportunity to see how powerful they can be. But everything changes when you face the first difficult boss. Suddenly, skills like following up a perfect dodge or parry with a Bloodraven strike become incredibly useful. Bloodraven Arts can also easily break through enemy defenses, and if you’re overwhelmed, you can always activate Berserk mode to clear out groups of enemies.

As you play, you’ll discover just how powerful Yakumo’s abilities are. While you can get through most fights with simple attacks, especially on lower difficulty levels, truly understanding the toolset is essential for surviving the more challenging battles. Initially, the controls might feel a little confusing, but practice will help.

During combat, you can use RT to block, deflect attacks, or dodge with a quick movement. RB is useful for specific moves and attacks. LT activates your Bloodraven Form, which you’ll frequently switch into for a short burst of moves during combos. The face buttons control jumping, attacking, and throwing shurikens, and you can also sprint and slide. Some attacks require chaining moves together – like the Izuna Drop, which needs three quick attacks followed by a strong one, performed after launching your opponent into the air – while others require pressing multiple buttons at the same time.

Honestly, it’s kinda mind-blowing how many different things you can do in this game all at once. But getting good and knowing when to use them? That takes serious practice. Oh, and I forgot to mention the weapons! There’s a bunch, and each one has its own special moves and techniques you can unlock. It basically means tons of different ways to attack with every weapon I find, which is awesome but also a little overwhelming!

It’s a lot to take in, but also really promising. The game has a very high skill level, but you don’t need to be a pro to enjoy it. If you’re willing to use items to heal during difficult fights, you can beat any challenge with a little perseverance.

Despite recent challenges, PlatinumGames has once again demonstrated its skill in creating action games. Ninja Gaiden 4 features excellent combat, though some of the game’s levels and environments aren’t very interesting. The best action games usually have unique atmospheres in each area, but Ninja Gaiden 4 has too many similar-looking chapters. While fighting large groups of enemies can sometimes feel repetitive, the boss battles are truly impressive and memorable.

Ninja Gaiden 4 delivers incredible combat, making it a strong addition to the series if that’s your main focus. However, you’ll start to see repeated enemy types and environments, and fighting the same foes for the hundredth time loses its excitement. While the game’s rhythm isn’t perfect, the action remains consistently engaging.

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2025-10-21 15:47