The 2025 Xbox Developer Direct event brought an exciting surprise for fans of classic action games: the revival of the Ninja Gaiden series. With the announcement of Ninja Gaiden 4 and the immediate release of Ninja Gaiden 2 Black, it marks a significant shift for a franchise that has been dormant since Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge in 2012. This resurgence is not just a nostalgic return but signals a potential revival of old-school 3D action games, which have been overshadowed by the Soulslike genre in recent years.
Historically, games like Ninja Gaiden, Devil May Cry, and the original God of War series dominated the action genre. However, the rise of FromSoftware's titles such as Dark Souls, Bloodborne, and Elden Ring has shifted the landscape. While we appreciate the depth and challenge of Soulslike games, the action genre needs diversity, and Ninja Gaiden's return could rebalance the scales in the AAA marketplace.
### **The Dragon Lineage**The Ninja Gaiden series, widely considered the pinnacle of action games, saw a transformative relaunch in 2004 on the original Xbox. Moving away from its 2D NES roots, the new iteration of Ryu Hayabusa's adventures became iconic for its smooth gameplay, fluid animations, and extreme difficulty. While other hack and slash games existed, Ninja Gaiden distinguished itself with its challenging gameplay, exemplified by the notorious first boss, Murai, and his nunchaku mastery.
Despite its challenging nature, Ninja Gaiden's difficulty is fair, rooted in player mistakes and the need to master combat rhythms. From the Izuna Drop to Ultimate Techniques and a variety of weapon combos, the game offers players ample tools to overcome its challenges. The series' influence is evident in the Soulslike community, which shares a similar drive to conquer seemingly insurmountable odds through mastery of game mechanics.
Follow the Leader
The shift in the action genre can be traced back to 2009, when Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 and Demon’s Souls were released. Demon’s Souls received strong reviews and paved the way for Dark Souls in 2011, which is often hailed as one of the greatest video games ever made, including by IGN. As the Ninja Gaiden series struggled with entries like Ninja Gaiden 3 and Razor’s Edge, Dark Souls and its sequels, along with FromSoftware's subsequent games like Bloodborne, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, and Elden Ring, dominated the action market.
AnswerSee ResultsThe influence of FromSoftware's mechanics spread to other titles like Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, Jedi: Survivor, Nioh, and Black Myth: Wukong. While these games have been well-received, the dominance of the Soulslike model has overshadowed traditional 3D action games. Ninja Gaiden's return after over a decade, alongside the 2019 release of Devil May Cry 5 and the 2018 revival of God of War, underscores the need for variety in the action genre.
The Master Ninja Returns
The release of Ninja Gaiden 2 Black is a refreshing return to form for the action genre. With its fast-paced combat, diverse weaponry, and the restored gore from the original, it stands as the definitive version of Ninja Gaiden 2 for modern platforms. While some may miss the original's raw difficulty, Ninja Gaiden 2 Black strikes a balance, maintaining a challenging experience while enhancing the overall package with additional content and improved technical stability.
Ninja Gaiden 4 Screenshots
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The remaster of Ninja Gaiden 2 Black serves as a reminder of what the action genre has lost. Games inspired by Ninja Gaiden and God of War, such as Bayonetta, Dante’s Inferno, Darksiders, and Ninja Blade, were prevalent in the late 2000s and early 2010s. The return of Ninja Gaiden highlights the purity of action games where success hinges on mastering the provided tools, without relying on builds, experience points, or stamina bars. As we hope for a new golden age of action games, the revival of Ninja Gaiden offers a promising start, catering to an audience eager for diversity in gaming experiences.
