Is Ninja Gaiden 4 Worth Playing? Here’s What Reviews Say About Team Ninja’s Return

Ninja Gaiden 4 is finally here, and critics around the world have weighed in on the long-awaited return of Team Ninja’s iconic action series.

Team Ninja’s Ninja Gaiden 4 is back after a decade. Critics love the action, but not the story. Find out what reviewers are saying.

Developed in collaboration between Team Ninja and PlatinumGames, the new entry revives the legendary Ryu Hayabusa while introducing a fresh face, Yakumo of the Raven Clan. The duo takes players through a cyberpunk-inspired Tokyo drenched in eternal night, where futuristic chaos collides with demonic forces and the brutal elegance of ninja combat.

For many of us who grew up with the series, it feels surreal to see it back after more than a decade. The last numbered entry, Ninja Gaiden 3, launched in 2013, and while Team Ninja has since delivered acclaimed titles like Nioh and Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty, fans have been waiting for this specific return.

Now that the game is out, the reception has been largely positive. On Metacritic, Ninja Gaiden 4 currently holds an 83/100, while OpenCritic shows a 89% recommendation rate. Over on Steam, more than 500 players have already left reviews, with 87% rating it “Very Positive”. That’s a strong start for a franchise that had been dormant for so long.

Critics, however, are not entirely unanimous. While the combat system has been praised as one of the best in the genre, some reviewers pointed out issues with level design, enemy variety, and story pacing. Still, the consensus is clear: this is a triumphant return for the series.

Critic Reviews & Quotes

• GamesRadar+ (10/10)

  “Thrilling action and deep blood powers make this the series' best and a stunning return to form.” “Ninja Gaiden 4 takes the torch from the second game, runs with it, and impales the nearest hulking demon. This is a genre triumph that delivers slick, over-the-top action that rewards patience and mastery, and a blood power system that adds a combat layer that allows you to push yourself beyond your limits. A deadly delight, action doesn't get much better than this.”

• TheGamer (9/10)

  “Platinum clearly understands what makes the series so special and has done an incredible job building on the razor-sharp formula that we’ve all been missing for nearly a decade.”

• GameSpot (8/10)

  “Even after barreling through the campaign in a couple of days, I still couldn't stop myself from going back for more. Ninja Gaiden 4 is a brutal menagerie of excessive blood spray, gratifying weapons, and gloriously stylish action. It banishes the sour memories of Ninja Gaiden 3 and has me pining for more character-action games, serving as a wistful reminder that games like Ninja Gaiden, Devil May Cry, and Bayonetta ruled the roost before the recent proliferation of Souls-likes. Every change is meaningful, adding to the rock-solid foundations and evolving the formula to bring out the very best in its phenomenal combat. If Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound and Shinobi: Art of Vengeance weren't enough, then Ninja Gaiden 4 solidifies 2025 as the year of the ninja.”

• IGN (8/10)

  “When it comes to combat, there are few games I’d consider to even be in the same ballpark as Ninja Gaiden 4. It is quite simply the most fun I’ve had with a 3D action game since Devil May Cry 5. Its disappointing story, bland level design, and uneven boss battles certainly put a damper on the package as a whole, but they haven’t stopped me from continuously coming back for more all the same. Blemishes and all, this is the best pure action game since Hi-Fi Rush, and hopefully it doesn’t take another 13 years for the next one.”

• TheSixthAxis (9/10)

  “Ninja Gaiden 4 is a shock to the system that reminds us of a time before Souls-likes. It's a high-octane, unrelenting, and effortlessly cool action game experience that newcomers and franchise fans alike need to play.”

• PlayStation LifeStyle (9/10)

  “Ninja Gaiden 4 is a true return to form for Team Ninja’s signature series. Featuring the best action you’ll find in a game this year and a great new character in Yakumo, this is a worthy successor to Ninja Gaiden II and avoids the many missteps that plagued 3. Placed well among Team Ninja and PlatinumGames’ best efforts, Ninja Gaiden 4 fully lives up to the hype and is a total blast.”

• Windows Central (4/5)

  “Ninja Gaiden 4 hardly re-writes the rules on what these kinds of games should look like, but fans who have been awaiting the return of the franchise may prefer this first re-entry takes things back to basics to some degree. Built in partnership between Koei, Microsoft, Team Ninja, and Platinum Games, Ninja Gaiden 4 has emerged a surprisingly coherent and confident product. Stunning and stylish hack n' slash gameplay could've been backed up with more compelling characters and story beats, but for those who simply want to carve a bloody path through endless enemies — Ninja Gaiden 4 is up there with the best of them.”

• Push Square (7/10)

  “Ninja Gaiden 4 is a rock solid action game that delivers on what's most important - the combat. While some of the surrounding aspects are a little less successful, such as repeated environments and a forgettable story, the intense battles and myriad challenges are where the game shines, whether playing as Yakumo or Ryu. It doesn't hit every mark, but the simplistic structure, emphasis on technical combat, and even the cheesy performances combine for an action game that feels like it's from a bygone era, in the best way possible.”

• VGC (8/10)

  “Ninja Gaiden 4 is a balls-to-the-wall action game with a relentless pace and an almost comedic level of gory combat. It's very much a one-trick pony, however, and as thoroughly entertaining as fighting waves of enemies is, its tendency to recycle assets near the end of the game means it can start to overstay its welcome if you don't take it upon yourself to use the wide variety of optional moves available to you.”

• Dexerto (8/10)

  “Ninja Gaiden 4's biggest achievement isn't executing a new gimmick or risqué idea. It's the result of two studios famed for their action-adventure chops delivering a game with incredible polish and best-in-class gameplay that hits the sweet spot between accessibility and depth with god-tier precision.”

Takeaway

• If you’re here for combat-first action, critics agree this is one of the best in years.

• If you’re looking for a deep story or variety, you might feel the rough edges.

• Overall, Ninja Gaiden 4 is being hailed as a worthy revival of the franchise.

Do you agree with the critics, or do you see the game differently? What’s your take on Ninja Gaiden 4?