Team Ninja's long-awaited Ninja Gaiden 4 is finally on the horizon, a project years in the making, according to producer Fumihiko Yasuda. The studio struggled to solidify a concept until collaborations with Koei Tecmo president Hisashi Koinuma, PlatinumGames head Atsushi Inaba, and ultimately, Xbox's Phil Spencer, brought the project to fruition. Spencer's involvement, stemming from initial discussions as early as 2017, facilitated the partnership between the three companies, leveraging PlatinumGames' expertise in high-octane action titles like Bayonetta and NieR: Automata.
The surprise announcement last week coincided with the unexpected release of a remastered Ninja Gaiden 2 Black for Xbox, PlayStation 5, and PC. Early footage showcases Ryu Hayabusa returning as the protagonist, engaging in intense, signature slasher combat. Ninja Gaiden 4 promises innovative gameplay mechanics, including agile traversal using wires and rails, setting it apart from its predecessors.
While DOOM: The Dark Ages dominated the Developer_Direct showcase, the reveal of Ninja Gaiden 4, a highly anticipated addition to the Koei Tecmo franchise, generated significant buzz. The game is slated for release in Fall 2025.