The resurgence of Ninja Gaiden at the 2025 Xbox Developer Direct was a major highlight, announcing not one, but multiple new titles, including Ninja Gaiden 4 and a surprise shadow drop of Ninja Gaiden 2 Black. This marks a significant return for the franchise, absent from the scene since Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge in 2012 (excluding the Master Collection compilation). This revival could signal a crucial shift in the gaming landscape: the comeback of classic 3D action games after years of Soulslike dominance.

While we appreciate Soulslike games, the AAA market should cater to diverse tastes. Ninja Gaiden's return could be the much-needed balance the action genre craves.

A Legacy of Dragons

The Ninja Gaiden series was once considered the epitome of action games. The 2004 Xbox reboot, a departure from its 2D NES roots, instantly became iconic for its fluid gameplay, smooth animations, and brutal difficulty. While other hack-and-slash titles existed, Ninja Gaiden stood out, its difficulty famously challenging players from the very first encounter with Murai.

Despite its demanding nature, the difficulty is largely fair, stemming from player mistakes rather than unfair mechanics. Mastering the combat's rhythm, the interplay of movement, defense, and counter-attacks, is key to success. The Izuna Drop, Ultimate Techniques, and diverse weapon combos provide ample tools to overcome challenges.

This demanding gameplay, and the satisfaction of overcoming it, inadvertently foreshadowed the Soulslike phenomenon. The dedication required to master Ninja Gaiden's mechanics paved the way for the mindset embraced by Soulslike fans—the rewarding feeling of conquering seemingly insurmountable odds. FromSoftware, and the games it inspired, took this concept and built an entire subgenre around it. However, this success may have been too successful, as Soulslike games have largely overshadowed other action game styles.

Following the Trend

Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2, a widely criticized PS3 port considered a low point for the series, coincided with the release of Demon's Souls in 2009. Demon's Souls, with its strong reviews, set the stage for the 2011 release of Dark Souls, a landmark title frequently cited as one of the greatest games ever made (including by IGN). While Ninja Gaiden 3 and Razor's Edge struggled, Dark Souls significantly impacted the action market, spawning sequels and influencing further FromSoftware titles like Bloodborne, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, and Elden Ring.

This Soulslike influence spread to other franchises, including Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and its sequel, Team Ninja's Nioh, and Game Science's Black Myth: Wukong. While these games are generally well-received, the Soulslike formula's dominance has stifled innovation in the AAA action space. Ninja Gaiden's return after a long absence, along with DMC5 (2019) and the evolved God of War (2018), exemplifies this shift. The newer God of War games, while not strictly Soulslike, share similarities in their pacing and combat.

Soulslike hallmarks—challenging combat focused on timing, stamina management, character builds, open-world design, and save points—are now commonplace. While this formula works for FromSoftware, its widespread adoption has led to a saturation of the market. Ninja Gaiden 2 Black's release offers a chance to showcase the unique strengths of character action games.

The Master Ninja's Return

Ninja Gaiden 2 Black provides a refreshing change of pace. Its fast-paced combat, diverse weapons, and the return of the original game's gore (absent in Sigma 2) make it the best version of Ninja Gaiden 2 available on modern platforms, a perfect entry point for newcomers. While some veterans may criticize difficulty adjustments and enemy counts, it's important to note the original Ninja Gaiden II's technical flaws and unbalanced design. Ninja Gaiden 2 Black strikes a balance, retaining high difficulty and gore while incorporating the additional content from Sigma 2 (excluding the unpopular statue boss fights).

This remaster highlights the loss of classic action games. Games inspired by Ninja Gaiden and God of War (such as Bayonetta, Dante's Inferno, Darksiders, and even Ninja Blade) were prevalent in the late 2000s and early 2010s. The frenetic, combo-based combat against numerous enemies and large bosses in a linear format is a proven formula, yet its popularity waned with the rise of Soulslike games. While similar games still exist (Hi-Fi Rush, for example), Ninja Gaiden 2 Black is a significant example from a major developer.

Replaying Ninja Gaiden 2 Black underscores the unique qualities of these games. 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 the combat system. While Soulslike games remain popular, Ninja Gaiden's return hopefully ushers in a new era for action games, offering a diverse range of experiences for players.

Ninja Gaiden 4 Screenshots

19 Images