After ready years and years with no updates (and receiving one middling remastered trilogy), it lastly occurred – Koei Tecmo introduced a brand new Ninja Gaiden in the course of the current Xbox Developer_Direct. This isn’t a reboot or separate mission like Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound’s homage to the basic NES collection. Ninja Gaiden 4 is a full-fledged sequel and the most recent mainline title occurring after 2012’s Ninja Gaiden 3.
Better of all, it’s out this Fall for Xbox Sequence X/S, PS5, and PC whereas additionally launching day one on Sport Move. Listed here are ten new issues we realized about Ninja Gaiden 4, and what makes it actually thrilling for long-time collection followers.
Collaboration With PlatinumGames
Whereas the announcement of a Ninja Gaiden sequel was surprising sufficient, it was much more shocking to listen to that Staff Ninja isn’t alone. It’s working with PlatinumGames of Bayonetta and Metallic Gear Rising fame to develop Ninja Gaiden 4. On Xbox Wire, Staff Ninja head Fumihiko Yasuda defined that “Koei Tecmo’s President, Hisashi Koinuma, and PlatinumGames’ CEO, Atsushi Inaba, share an in depth relationship, which led us to discover a collaborative improvement effort.
“PlatinumGames had the experience we felt was best for engaged on Ninja Gaiden, and with help from Microsoft’s Phil-san, the three firms have been in a position to take the following step in the direction of making a brand-new Ninja Gaiden.”
Return to Tokyo
Gamers will probably be returning to Tokyo within the sequel, nevertheless it’s a distinct metropolis this time round. That’s as a result of the Darkish Dragon, who Ryu Hayabusa defeated in Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword, has returned. He’s removed from glad as effectively, along with his husk blanketing the town in a miasma rain inflicting it to crumble. The target is easy: Navigate Tokyo’s winding paths and treacherous foes to defeat the Darkish Dragon as soon as and for all. There’s prone to be a sinister twist or two in wait – how did the Darkish Dragon return anyway? – and we are able to’t wait to see the way it unfolds.
A New Face
Nonetheless, this time, gamers will probably be approaching the journey from a distinct perspective. Yakumo is a brand new playable character, a part of the Raven Clan (which is against the Hayabusa Clan) and a Grasp Ninja inheritor obvious. He’s been tasked with slaying the Darkish Dragon. Sequence protagonist Ryu Hayabusa continues to be playable, showing all through the title, although how extensively stays to be seen. The kicker is that Yakumo opposes him at varied factors, once more for unknown causes, although their clans not getting alongside actually doesn’t assist.
Why did Staff Ninja and PlatinumGames go for a distinct protagonist? Director and producer Yuji Nakao famous, “Because it’s been some time because the final recreation, we needed a brand new hero to make the collection extra approachable for brand new gamers. In fact, we additionally needed long-time followers to benefit from the recreation, so Ryu Hayabusa performs a big function within the story, serving as a serious problem and development milestone for Yakumo.”
Excessive-Pace Fight
If there’s one takeaway from the gameplay footage showcased to date, it’s that Ninja Gaiden 4 is a triumphant return to the high-speed fight that outlined the 3D collection. The core theme is “adversity”, and it’s outstanding all through every stage, with Yakumo going through every kind of threats, from Fiends to an Order in control of policing Tokyo (which may very well be these sick-looking cyberpunk-like samurai enemies). The motion not often lets up, whilst you navigate and traverse Tokyo’s wet road.
Bloodraven Type
Taking up a number of enemies directly and determining the way to succeed, a lot much less survive, has been a core tenet of the collection. On this respect, Yakumo brings a brand new software to the desk – Bloodraven Type. Described by Nakao as “a way that manipulates the blood of oneself and enemies,” it includes wielding a large bloody blade to cleave via a number of threats at a time.
Should you fulfil “sure circumstances,” then a Massacre Kill is triggered, bisecting enemies within the blink of an eye fixed (and a classy purple and black splash display screen). It’s distinctive for permitting gamers to “immediately flip the tide of battle of their favor,” although trying sick as heck can be some extent in its favor.
1v1 Battles
In fact, there’s greater than small fry to take care of. You’ll interact in 1v1 battles in opposition to considerably stronger threats who will guard in opposition to assaults and match Yakumo’s pace. Learning their actions and looking for the proper moments is the important thing to victory. So far, we’ve seen a couple of boss-like enemies, together with a big cybernetic samurai and a fiendish being who fights with a parasol. Then there are the battles in opposition to Hayabusa himself.
New and Returning Strikes
The Flying Swallow and Izuna Drop return in fashionable trend, and so they’re not unique to Ryu – Yakumo can wield them as effectively (although each characters possess utterly distinctive preventing kinds). Staff Ninja additionally guarantees the addition of latest strikes never-before-seen within the collection. Final and Obliteration Strategies additionally return, with the latter manifesting as brutal executions on Order troops – from beheadings to disembowelling – within the current gameplay footage.
Extra Verticality and New Traversal Choices
Ninja Gaiden isn’t nearly brutal fight – it additionally leans closely into fast-paced mobility and traversal choices. Staff Ninja guarantees enhanced verticality, with the signature wall jumps and wall runs returning. Nonetheless, gamers can even grind on rails, leaping from one to the opposite as mandatory, and make use of a grappling hook to traverse gaps. With Tokyo falling into damage, you’ll must cope with collapsing buildings and roads whereas traversing all through.
70-80 % Full
In case there’s any doubt as as to if Ninja Gaiden 4 will launch this yr, Nakao confirmed that it’s at present 70 to 80 p.c full, and the groups have entered the sprucing part. PlatinumGames will “proceed to work intently with Staff NINJA, making certain each element meets the expectations of followers.” In fact, this doesn’t assure that it’ll meet its Fall launch window – it might very effectively transfer issues round as a result of a sure open-world magnum opus launching on the identical time – however issues are seemingly on monitor.
Regardless, Nakao hyped extra data in order that followers would perceive how “enjoyable and thrilling” the sport is. He additionally mentioned as “each a fan and a developer,” Nakao promised to “do my utmost to ship an expertise that satisfies everybody.”
Potential Demo
One other fascinating morsel from the identical Xbox Wire interview is a possible demo. Yasuda mentioned he was “thrilled that we have been lastly in a position to make this announcement and hope it brings pleasure to our followers” whereas including, “We’re trying into methods to present you alternatives to get hands-on expertise, so please keep tuned.”
For these conversant in Staff Ninja’s work, this isn’t too shocking. Nioh 1 and 2 each obtained betas earlier than their launches, with the suggestions serving to to enhance the ultimate experiences. The identical goes for Wo Lengthy: Fallen Dynasty. Even Koei Tecmo has adopted the follow for different titles just like the current Dynasty Warriors: Origins. If Fall appears too distant, then relaxation assured that there could also be an opportunity to play sooner fairly than later.
