The 2025 Xbox Developer Direct showcased many exciting reveals, but the Ninja Gaiden revival stands out as one of the most significant. The classic action franchise is getting multiple new games, including Ninja Gaiden 4 and Ninja Gaiden 2 Black, the latter of which surprised fans with an immediate release. This marks a major shift for the series, as the last mainline entry was Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge in 2012 (excluding the Master Collection compilation). This resurgence could also signal a pivotal moment for gaming: the return of classic 3D action games after years of Soulslike dominance.
Once, titles like Ninja Gaiden, Devil May Cry, and the original God of War series defined the action genre. However, FromSoftware's Dark Souls, Bloodborne, and Elden Ring have largely supplanted this style. While Soulslikes are enjoyable, the AAA market should accommodate both styles. Ninja Gaiden's return could be the much-needed balance the action genre requires.
### A Legendary Legacy
The Ninja Gaiden series was once considered the epitome of action games. The 2004 Xbox reboot, a departure from its 2D NES origins, instantly became iconic for its smooth gameplay, fluid animation, and brutal difficulty. While other hack-and-slash titles existed, Ninja Gaiden stood apart, challenging players from the very first level. Many players recount their struggles against Murai, the challenging first boss.
Despite the difficulty, the challenge is generally fair. Deaths result from player mistakes and a lack of mastery over the combat's rhythm—the intricate dance of movement, defense, and counterattacks. The Izuna Drop, Ultimate Techniques, and diverse weapon combos provide ample tools to overcome obstacles.
The series' demanding nature foreshadowed the Soulslike phenomenon. Ninja Gaiden's challenging gameplay and the satisfaction of overcoming seemingly insurmountable odds influenced the mindset of Soulslike fans. Few action games demand such mechanical mastery, a concept FromSoftware and its successors expanded into a subgenre. However, this success may have been detrimental, as Soulslikes have dominated action games for over a decade.
A Genre Shift
The release of Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 (a widely criticized PS3 port of Ninja Gaiden II) coincided with Demon's Souls (2009). Demon's Souls garnered strong reviews and paved the way for Dark Souls (2011), a landmark title often cited as one of the greatest video games ever made. While Ninja Gaiden 3 and Razor's Edge faltered, Dark Souls significantly impacted the action market, spawning sequels and influencing FromSoftware's subsequent titles, including Bloodborne, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, and Elden Ring.
This Soulslike influence spread to other franchises like Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, Jedi: Survivor, Team Ninja's Nioh, and Black Myth: Wukong. While these games are generally well-received, the Soulslike formula has saturated the AAA action space, leaving classic 3D action games scarce. Ninja Gaiden's return after a long absence, along with DMC5 (2019) and the evolved God of War (2018), highlights this shift. The newer God of War games, while not strictly Soulslikes, share similarities in their pacing and combat.
Soulslike hallmarks—challenging combat focused on timing, stamina management, character builds, open-ended level design, and save points—are recognizable. While fitting for FromSoftware, the widespread adoption has led to an oversaturation of this style. Ninja Gaiden 2 Black's release offers a chance for character action games to shine.
The Ninja's Resurgence
Ninja Gaiden 2 Black offers a refreshing change. The fast-paced combat, diverse weapons, and restored gore (absent in the Sigma version) make it the best version of Ninja Gaiden 2 on modern hardware. While some veterans may criticize difficulty adjustments and enemy counts, the original Ninja Gaiden II suffered from technical issues and unbalanced design. Ninja Gaiden 2 Black strikes a balance, retaining high difficulty and gore while incorporating extra content (excluding unpopular statue boss fights).
This remaster underscores the loss of similar games. In the late 2000s and early 2010s, Ninja Gaiden and God of War-inspired titles—like Bayonetta, Dante's Inferno, Darksiders, and even Ninja Blade—were prevalent. The frenetic, combo-based combat against numerous enemies and giant bosses in a linear format is a proven formula, surprisingly absent as Soulslikes gained prominence. While similar games exist (Hi-Fi Rush), Ninja Gaiden 2 Black is a significant example from a major developer.
Replaying Ninja Gaiden 2 Black highlights its unique qualities. There are no shortcuts—no build guides, experience points, or stamina bars to limit abilities. It's a pure test of skill, demanding mastery of the combat system. While Soulslikes remain popular, Ninja Gaiden's return hopefully ushers in a new era for action games, providing space for both styles to thrive.
Ninja Gaiden 4 Screenshots
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