The 2025 Xbox Developer Direct brought many surprises, but the Ninja Gaiden revival stands out as one of the biggest. The classic action franchise is getting a resurgence with multiple new titles, including Ninja Gaiden 4 and the surprise shadow drop of Ninja Gaiden 2 Black. This marks a significant return for the series, absent from the scene since Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge in 2012 (excluding the Master Collection). This revival could also signal a crucial shift in gaming: the comeback of classic 3D action games after years of Soulslike dominance.
Once, titles like Ninja Gaiden, Devil May Cry, and the original God of War defined the action genre. However, FromSoftware's Dark Souls, Bloodborne, and Elden Ring 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.
### A Legendary Legacy
The Ninja Gaiden series was once considered the apex of action games. The 2004 Xbox reboot, a departure from its 2D NES roots, instantly became iconic for its smooth gameplay, fluid animation, and brutal difficulty. While other hack-and-slash games existed, Ninja Gaiden stood apart, challenging players from the very first level. The infamous Murai boss fight is legendary for its difficulty.
Despite the challenge, the difficulty is largely fair. Deaths result from player error, demanding mastery of combat rhythm, movement, defense, and counter-attacks. The Izuna Drop, Ultimate Techniques, and diverse weapon combos provide ample tools to overcome challenges.
This demanding gameplay, ironically, foreshadowed the Soulslike genre. Ninja Gaiden's hardcore fans, striving for mastery on the hardest difficulties, established a mindset similar to that of Soulslike enthusiasts – the satisfaction of overcoming seemingly impossible odds. Few action games demand such mechanical precision. FromSoftware amplified this concept, creating an entire subgenre. However, this success may have been excessive, as Soulslikes have dominated action games for a decade.
Shifting Tides
The release of Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 (a PS3 port considered inferior) coincided with Demon's Souls (2009). Demon's Souls, receiving strong reviews, paved the way for Dark Souls (2011), a landmark title often cited among the greatest games ever made (including by IGN). While Ninja Gaiden 3 and Razor's Edge faltered, Dark Souls significantly impacted the action market, spawning sequels and influencing Bloodborne, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, and Elden Ring.
FromSoftware's influence extended to other franchises, including Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and its sequel, Team Ninja's Nioh, and Game Science's Black Myth: Wukong. While Soulslikes aren't inherently flawed, their dominance has stifled the AAA action space, leaving classic 3D action games scarce. Ninja Gaiden's return follows over a decade of absence, with Devil May Cry 5 (2019) and a reimagined God of War (2018) also representing a shift away from the original fast-paced formula. The new God of War games, while not strictly Soulslikes, share similarities.
Soulslikes feature hallmarks like precise timing-based combat, stamina management, build customization, open-ended level design, and save points that respawn enemies. While this formula works for FromSoftware, its widespread adoption has led to saturation. Ninja Gaiden 2 Black's release provides a chance for character action games to shine again.
The Master Ninja's Return
Ninja Gaiden 2 Black offers a refreshing take on the action genre. Its lightning-fast combat, diverse weapons, and the return of the original game's gore (absent in Sigma 2) make it the best version available on modern hardware, ideal for newcomers. While veterans might 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, restoring gore, and incorporating extra content (excluding unpopular statue boss fights).
This remaster underscores what was lost when similar games ceased to be a genre mainstay. Games inspired by Ninja Gaiden and God of War were prevalent in the late 2000s and early 2010s (Bayonetta, Dante's Inferno, Darksiders, and even FromSoftware's Ninja Blade). The frenetic, combo-based combat against numerous enemies and giant bosses in a linear format is a proven formula, surprisingly overshadowed by the Soulslike model. While similar games still exist (Hi-Fi Rush), Ninja Gaiden 2 Black is a significant release from a major developer.
Replaying Ninja Gaiden 2 Black highlights the unique experience it offers. There are no shortcuts; no build guides, experience points, or stamina bars to limit gameplay. It's a pure test of skill, demanding mastery of combat mechanics. While Soulslikes likely maintain popularity, Ninja Gaiden's return hopefully ushers in a new era for action games, providing a space for both styles to thrive.
Ninja Gaiden 4 Screenshots
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