Ninja Gaiden 4 Wears its Platinum Games DNA on its Sleeve

The Xbox Developer Direct 2025 delivered a double surprise for Ninja Gaiden fans—the unexpected release of Ninja Gaiden 2 Black and the official announcement of Ninja Gaiden 4. With Ninja Gaiden: Rage

Ninja Gaiden 4 Wears Its Platinum Games Influence with Pride

A Bold New Era for Ninja Gaiden

At the 2025 Xbox Developer Direct, fans of high-speed action were taken by surprise with the unexpected release of Ninja Gaiden 2 Black alongside the thrilling announcement of Ninja Gaiden 4. Coming hot on the heels of Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound, which was revealed at The Game Awards just a month prior, it’s clear that Koei Tecmo’s legendary action franchise is making a triumphant return reminiscent of its 2000s heyday.

Players are already diving into Ninja Gaiden 2 Black, appreciating the refinements over the 2021 Ninja Gaiden: Master Collection—even if the original Ninja Gaiden 2 still holds the crown for its unrelenting chaos. Meanwhile, anticipation is at an all-time high for Ninja Gaiden 4 and Ragebound, both set to launch later this year.

A New Chapter with Fresh Collaborations

Beyond the sheer excitement of seeing Ninja Gaiden return, what makes these new titles particularly intriguing is the involvement of external studios. Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound is being published by DotEmu in partnership with Koei Tecmo, while its development is helmed by The Game Kitchen, the masterminds behind the Blasphemous series.

Meanwhile, Ninja Gaiden 4 is under the joint development of Team Ninja and Platinum Games, with Xbox Game Studios handling publishing duties. The collaboration with Platinum is especially noteworthy, as their signature style is unmistakable in the game’s reveal trailer and additional footage.

Platinum’s DNA Runs Deep in Ninja Gaiden 4

At first glance, Ninja Gaiden 4 appears to follow in the footsteps of its predecessors, but a closer look reveals Platinum Games’ unmistakable influence. Given that many of Platinum’s acclaimed titles, such as the Bayonetta series, Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance, NieR: Automata, and Astral Chain, belong to the same stylish action genre, it’s no surprise that elements from these games can be felt throughout Ninja Gaiden 4.

From fluid, over-the-top combat animations to kinetic traversal mechanics, the game exhibits a level of flair that distinctly recalls Platinum’s finest works. The project even evokes memories of Scalebound, Platinum’s ill-fated Xbox-exclusive, making this renewed partnership all the more exciting.

Dynamic Traversal That Screams Platinum

One of the standout aspects of Ninja Gaiden 4 is its emphasis on fast-paced traversal. While past Ninja Gaiden games featured parkour-like movement, Platinum’s touch is unmistakable in the way the game integrates high-speed mobility sequences. Players will witness protagonists Ryu Hayabusa and newcomer Yakumo sliding down slopes, grinding on rails, and sprinting across walls—all signature Platinum hallmarks.

These interludes bear a striking resemblance to the Ninja Run sequences from Metal Gear Rising, adding a sense of breakneck speed that seamlessly complements Ninja Gaiden’s combat intensity. It’s an evolution that feels right at home in the franchise, making the prospect of playing Ninja Gaiden 4 all the more exhilarating.

Yakumo: A Vessel for Platinum’s Innovations

Perhaps the most striking example of Platinum’s influence is the introduction of Yakumo, one of Ninja Gaiden 4’s two protagonists. While Ryu Hayabusa embodies Team Ninja’s classic deliberate gameplay, Yakumo serves as the vessel for Platinum’s signature fast and fluid combat mechanics.

Even the game’s environments hint at this divide—Ryu’s sequences unfold in traditional Ninja Gaiden locales, whereas Yakumo’s missions take place in a futuristic cyberpunk city reminiscent of Astral Chain. The enemies they face further highlight this distinction: Ryu primarily battles demonic foes, while Yakumo takes on adversaries that wouldn’t look out of place in Bayonetta 3.

Yakumo’s combat style also draws heavy inspiration from Platinum’s past works. His agility and aerial maneuvers echo characters like Ayane from previous Ninja Gaiden titles or Viola from Bayonetta 3. His devastating Bloodraven Form attacks feel akin to Bayonetta’s Wicked Weaves, while his Nue Form executions take clear visual cues from Metal Gear Rising’s Zandatsu. Furthermore, his wire-based grappling hook further cements his connection to Platinum’s recent protagonists.

A Perfect Fusion of Two Legendary Studios

It’s evident that Platinum Games has left an indelible mark on Ninja Gaiden 4, but the real question is how seamlessly their style will blend with Team Ninja’s traditional combat formula. From what’s been shown so far, it appears to be a promising marriage of two of the industry’s best action game developers. If executed correctly, Ninja Gaiden 4 could set a new benchmark for the franchise while preserving the brutal, rewarding gameplay that made it legendary in the first place.

With Team Ninja’s methodical precision and Platinum Games’ bombastic energy combining forces, Ninja Gaiden 4 has all the makings of a modern action masterpiece. Fans won’t have to wait long to see how this ambitious project plays out—the Year of the Ninja has officially begun.