Is "NINJA Gaiden 4" extremely difficult and picky about players? — The answer is no! We want to convey that the revived ultimate action game is “strict but actually very caring” 【PR】
Note: the original Japanese article can be found at:
https://www.4gamer.net/games/875/G087564/20251021005/
Writer: Takahashi Yusuke | 2025/10/29 03:00 (UTC)
Image Gallery No.039 thumbnail / Is “NINJA GAIDEN 4” extremely difficult and selective? — The answer is no! The revived ultimate action aims to convey that it’s tough but actually very supportive 【PR】
Xbox Game Studios released “NINJA GAIDEN 4” on October 21, 2025 for PC / PS5 / Xbox Series X|S, marking the first numbered entry in the series in 13 years.
In today’s action game landscape, the collaboration between Team NINJA and PlatinumGames to rebuild “NINJA GAIDEN” naturally raised expectations among fans of the series and lovers of action games alike. Indeed, many likely picked up this game with high anticipation.
Yet some might have felt uncertain: “Is this only for long-time fans or hardcore action gamers?” “It looks interesting, but I’m not sure if my skills are good enough to play.”
Is it a weapon exclusive to legendary ninjas like Ryu Hayabusa? Image Gallery No.002 thumbnail / Is “NINJA GAIDEN 4” extremely difficult and selective? — The answer is no! The revived ultimate action aims to convey that it’s tough but actually very supportive 【PR】
So, is “NINJA GAIDEN 4” only enjoyable for skilled players or those with prior series experience? — The answer is no.
Yes, the game is challenging and one misstep can lead to instant defeat. But this isn’t meant to push players away. Instead, it’s carefully designed around a core principle: supporting the player as they learn enemy patterns, master controls, and grow through trial and error. While tough, it’s never unforgiving.
This article aims to highlight what makes “NINJA GAIDEN 4” surprisingly supportive—especially for those who feel intimidated by its reputation. It’s intended as a helpful guide for newcomers picking up the sword, and also as an aid for experienced players trying to articulate how best to recommend it to new players.
Official Website for “NINJA GAIDEN 4”
[Table of Contents]
・What is “NINJA GAIDEN 4”? (Quick Recap)
・How to Enjoy Battles Against Enemies Filled with Malice
・“NINJA GAIDEN” Is About Getting Closer to the “Legendary Ninja Experience”
[・Tips That Make Combat Easier]Click on any heading to jump to that section
What is “NINJA GAIDEN 4”? (Quick Recap)
Before diving in, let’s briefly clarify what this game is. If you’ve already read previews or interviews, feel free to skip ahead using this link. For those wanting more detail, jump over to this section for past articles.
The story centers around the new protagonist, Yakumo. Set in a near-future Tokyo drenched in toxic rain due to the awakening of an ancient enemy, Yakumo takes up the mantle entrusted by fate and joins forces with the legendary ninja Ryu Hayabusa to battle mechanized soldiers and supernatural creatures.
Image Gallery No.032 thumbnail / Is “NINJA GAIDEN 4” extremely difficult and selective? — The answer is no! The revived ultimate action aims to convey that it’s tough but actually very supportive 【PR】 Image Gallery No.033 thumbnail / Is “NINJA GAIDEN 4” extremely difficult and selective? — The answer is no! The revived ultimate action aims to convey that it’s tough but actually very supportive 【PR】
At its core, the game revolves around three key concepts: “Adversity,” “Cruelty,” and “Change.” Trapped in overwhelming situations with countless enemies, players must slash through foes relentlessly to turn the tide. The intense tension followed by release is what defines the classic “NINJA GAIDEN” experience. Enemy attacks are fierce—split-second decisions can mean victory or defeat—but they’re designed so that preparation, anticipation, and precise control make success possible.
Image Gallery No.035 thumbnail / Is “NINJA GAIDEN 4” extremely difficult and selective? — The answer is no! The revived ultimate action aims to convey that it’s tough but actually very supportive 【PR】 Image Gallery No.037 thumbnail / Is “NINJA GAIDEN 4” extremely difficult and selective? — The answer is no! The revived ultimate action aims to convey that it’s tough but actually very supportive 【PR】
Combat features mechanics like “Metsu” (finishing off wounded enemies), “Zetsumei” (wide-area sweeps from charged attacks), and using “Blood Clots” generated by enemies to accelerate Zetsumei. These systems create dynamic rhythm between offense and defense, crafting a high-density action experience where battles feel both “extremely intense yet undeniably fun.” The series’ signature blood effects and limb severance remain intact—visually striking but never gratuitously brutal—emphasizing the satisfying “feel of cutting” and the exhilaration of overcoming danger.
Four difficulty levels are available: Hero, Normal, Hard, and Master Ninja (unlocked after completing Story Mode).
The easiest setting, Hero mode, allows players to enable assist features like automatic defense, auto-Metsu, and health recovery. Each option can be toggled individually in settings, allowing beginners to gradually remove assistance as they grow more confident—aiming for that next-level ninja.
While maintaining the intense “you’re not getting off easy” feel of battle, the game’s difficulty and assist options open doors not just for series veterans but also newcomers. This thoughtful design ensures anyone can stand at the threshold of the “Legendary Ninja Experience”—a defining trait of “NINJA GAIDEN 4.”
How to Enjoy Battles Against Enemies Filled with Malice
Now, let’s get into the core. As Yakumo, players will face dense battlefields filled with endless enemies. The key here is understanding the game’s combat structure and how to effectively engage these intensely hostile foes.
First, it must be acknowledged: enemies in this game are merciless, just like in past entries. Until you get used to them, you’ll likely take heavy damage fast and end up surrounded by corpses. There’s no sugarcoating that.
So how do we survive such deadly attacks? One vital tool is the new feature and standout innovation of this title: “Nue’s Form.”
When switching into Nue’s Form, the weapon’s appearance and abilities change dramatically. You can now counter enemy powerful attacks with “Bakugeki” (crushing strikes), or use “Rebound” from attack collisions to launch counters.
In other words, if you time it right—especially during a combo sequence—you can seamlessly switch into Nue’s Form when an enemy’s strong attack is signaled by red light or the “!” mark. This gives you a high chance of dodging that dangerous blow.
Of course, timing isn’t always perfect—sometimes your input misses, the move doesn’t connect, or the required “Blood Wedge Gauge” hasn’t filled up yet. But simply adopting the mindset of “Use Nue’s Form when an unblockable attack comes” can significantly reduce damage taken.
This “action changes based on input timing and situation” mechanic aligns with the series’ tradition of “Guard” and “Backwind.” When you sense an enemy’s attack, guard inputs during movement become Backwind—stepping sideways or backward to evade. If your timing is just right, it becomes a “Just Guard” or “Just Backwind,” opening up counterattack opportunities.
You can then either continue with straightforward attacks or instantly input a powerful strike to disrupt enemy posture. You could also switch into Nue’s Form for wide-area strikes or limb severance—entirely up to your preference.
Moreover, the action that follows a Just Guard varies depending on timing and yields different benefits. Advanced players enjoy choosing between strong attack and Nue’s Form in split seconds—and inputting at just the right moment—but beginners don’t need to worry about this initially.
Thus, this game ensures that if you manage to react in time—whether by blocking or countering a powerful enemy attack—you receive some kind of reward. The new system isn’t just added flavor; it’s thoughtfully designed to honor the series’ core identity.
Also note: attacks that are hard to defend against with normal Guard or Backwind can often be blocked using Nue’s Form during its active state—something easily overlooked. Remember this when you’re stuck!
Similarly, the same principles apply to offensive strategies. For example, you can now finish off enemies whose body parts have been severed using a powerful strike—“Metsu”—to instantly eliminate them.
Thus, even a quick attack followed by a strong one may sometimes trigger Metsu. This means that a strong attack always carries the potential to become a Metsu, depending on context.
Another key point is the relationship between enemy aerial launch and “Kohaku” (Tiger’s Grip). Kohaku disrupts enemy posture while generating “Blood Clots” that can be used for healing or other purposes.
Aerial launches typically occur via “fast attack → strong attack,” depending on weapon type. From there, you can chain into “Iwatsukushi Drop” (descending slam) or aerial combos—making this the standard offensive pattern in combat.
On the other hand, if your initial attack coincides with enemy timing—especially a strong one—you may deflect their strike and immediately follow up with Kohaku. This creates major counterattack opportunities.
Successfully executing Kohaku at just the right moment can cause even regular enemies to suffer limb damage—and in boss fights, it gives you the chance to dominate completely Image Gallery No.011 thumbnail / Is “NINJA GAIDEN 4” extremely difficult and selective? — The answer is no! The revived ultimate action aims to convey that it’s tough but actually very supportive 【PR】
In short, the combat techniques in this game aren’t meant to be used randomly. They’re designed to evolve based on your actions, decisions, and current situation—and when you time things perfectly (e.g., Just Guard or Kohaku), the rewards spike dramatically.
At first, these moments may seem like lucky accidents—but as you gain experience and better understand enemy behavior, they gradually become intentional. Eventually, you’ll want to maximize every opportunity after a Just Guard or Kohaku to deliver devastating follow-ups.
In essence, “NINJA GAIDEN 4” feels like an intimidating but actually very supportive mentor—not just strict, but full of thoughtful design that encourages player growth and mastery.
Also, in early stages, your skill options are limited. Prioritize learning new techniques (by purchasing them), and by Chapter 4, you’ll be able to enjoy the full combat flow described above. Challenging Hard or higher difficulty levels can wait until then—there’s no rush.
Of course, fans who want to jump straight into the “torturous path” of series veterans are free to do so. After all, everyone has their own preferred kind of hardship.
Buying too many healing items delays skill (technique) acquisition Image Gallery No.013 thumbnail / Is “NINJA GAIDEN 4” extremely difficult and selective? — The answer is no! The revived ultimate action aims to convey that it’s tough but actually very supportive 【PR】
“NINJA GAIDEN” Is About Getting Closer to the “Legendary Ninja Experience”
As you play, there will come a moment when your fingers move before the enemy’s attack lands—that “aha!” instant. You’ll start predicting enemy movements and timing your approach perfectly. You’ll be able to “place” guards or Nue’s Form responses at just the right moments.
Even if you misread or react too slowly and die, next time around, your fingers might already move a step earlier. That moment when you personally prove your own growth through victory—this is where “NINJA GAIDEN 4” truly reveals its core joy.
The tension built by Team NINJA, combined with PlatinumGames’ signature “edge” in action and the ultimate payoff, has elevated this game into something truly original—distinct from past entries. The visual spectacle of reading enemy moves, landing counters, and slaughtering powerful foes with Metsu or Kessatsu is unmatched—and unlike anything else you’ll find in gaming.
The “Legendary Ninja Experience” isn’t just about reflexes or input speed. It’s about refining every move until your mind and fingers act in sync—attacking while defending, switching from defense to offense seamlessly. Your awareness expands beyond the enemy you’re slicing at—to include surrounding foes and even threats outside the screen.
This is what it means to gradually approach the ultimate “legendary ninja.” Though I sense some readers might still feel apprehensive, this is the core of the game’s appeal.
In short, “NINJA GAIDEN 4” isn’t just about recreating a legend—it’s about starting a new one. It feels nostalgic to fans who remember its golden era and serves as both a rival and mentor for the next generation—a game that delivers “unfamiliar tension and satisfaction.”
Yes, it may seem like a selective title—but in reality, few games offer such strong support for players to learn independently through thoughtful design. That’s precisely why so many players are drawn to keep pushing forward through bloodshed and mountains of corpses.
Tips That Make Combat Easier
Even so, real gameplay can bring unexpected challenges. Here are some tips I’ve gathered from actual play—knowledge that helps more than you might think.
First, “Feiyin” (Flying Swallow) is extremely useful. It’s activated mid-jump with a strong attack. It combines rapid approach and offensive power while also being excellent for escaping surrounded situations. You can even decapitate enemies with low health instantly—plus it looks stunning.
When enemies are densely packed, use “Fukaku” (Wind Drive) to leap toward nearby foes and perform a “Head-Splitting Throw.” The input is simply pressing jump + fast attack twice—very simple. Then follow up with Feiyin or throw them into the abyss.
Immediately finish off enemies with severed limbs using “Metsu.” As mentioned earlier, if you don’t keep swinging fast attacks continuously, Metsu can happen naturally. Leaving them unattended risks triggering self-destructive counterattacks—very dangerous.
Also, high-health enemies are harder to damage severely. Start by weakening their health via Iwatsukushi Drop or Bakugeki rushes before attempting limb severance.
Image Gallery No.019 thumbnail / Is “NINJA GAIDEN 4” extremely difficult and selective? — The answer is no! The revived ultimate action aims to convey that it’s tough but actually very supportive 【PR】 Image Gallery No.020 thumbnail / Is “NINJA GAIDEN 4” extremely difficult and selective? — The answer is no! The revived ultimate action aims to convey that it’s tough but actually very supportive 【PR】
Different weapons excel in different situations. The dual blades (Oni Blade Kenmigata) offer small openings and lower risk. The thrusting sword (Joma Yato Sen) has excellent reach—especially useful against large bosses. The staff (Boujinnu Magsui) shines when surrounded.
As for the fourth weapon… to preserve your surprise, let’s just say it enables long-range attacks—a crucial distinction in combat.
Also, dual blades are great for jump-strong attacks; thrusting swords and staves make limb severance easier via fast attack → strong attack combos. In the Training Mode command chart, approximate success rates for limb severance are shown in three levels: Low, Medium, High—so use this to gauge your timing and range.
And don’t forget to use the “Ransha Gauge” (Massacre Gauge) effectively. Especially when surrounded by strong enemies, never hold back—check your gauge between Iwatsukushi Drop and Metsu.
But beware: using it recklessly creates openings and makes you vulnerable. Instead, use it right after disrupting enemies with Bakugeki or Just Guard. After taking down several foes with Kessatsu, wrap up the fight with Ransha for solid results. While bosses won’t die in one hit, they’ll take massive damage.
In boss fights or intense battles, start with 1–2 small attacks to probe enemy behavior. Then switch to defensive stance and observe—this is safer. Use this time to study patterns, then counter with Just Guard, Backwind, or Bakugeki at the right moment.
But avoid overconfidence: if you get carried away when spotting a chance, you’ll pay dearly. Don’t attack recklessly unless you’re certain.
Still, dying repeatedly during first boss fights or tough enemy clusters is normal—don’t be discouraged. What matters most is how well you minimize damage, cause limb severance, and accumulate the Ransha Gauge to wipe out enemies efficiently.
In summary, “NINJA GAIDEN 4” delivers the hard-edged feel that fans expect from this series. At the same time, it offers thoughtful rewards and guidance for player responses and ingenuity—showing deep design wisdom.
Perfectly timing techniques, calculating follow-up opportunities, and calmly overcoming overwhelming obstacles—the game guides players toward becoming true “legendary ninjas.”
If the series were simply “hard,” it wouldn’t have been talked about this long.
I won’t claim this game is for everyone. But I do believe anyone who loves action games should give it a try.
Even if you never reach the “legendary ninja” level, the journey will be enjoyable. In single-player gaming, the real challenge isn’t the current game—it’s overcoming your past self.
Nowadays, you can start with Xbox Game Pass and later decide whether to buy. Take your time—just make sure to experience this game’s unparalleled tension and satisfaction at least once.
Move forward, and you’ll find the legendary ninja experience guided by Ryu Hayabusa waiting for you Image Gallery No.027 thumbnail / Is “NINJA GAIDEN 4” extremely difficult and selective? — The answer is no! The revived ultimate action aims to convey that it’s tough but actually very supportive 【PR】 Image Gallery No.028 thumbnail / Is “NINJA GAIDEN 4” extremely difficult and selective? — The answer is no! The revived ultimate action aims to convey that it’s tough but actually very supportive 【PR】
Official Website for “NINJA GAIDEN 4”
Previously Published: Interviews and Play Reports on “NINJA GAIDEN 4”
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