Ninja Gaiden 4 First Impressions: Futuristic, Flashy, and Familiar

Eric Poole | Posted: 10/21/2025

(Credit: Platinum Games | Official Blog Page)

After spending my first hour with Ninja Gaiden 4, I can confidently say this is exactly what I expected, and that’s a good thing. Team Ninja clearly knows its audience. Fans like me didn’t want a reinvention. We just wanted that signature fast-paced, brutal ninja action back on modern hardware.

And that’s exactly what we got.

What’s Working So Far

Ninja Gaiden 4 immediately throws you into a futuristic Tokyo that’s drenched in neon, rain, and cyberpunk atmosphere. It’s every bit the aesthetic I hoped for, though I’m crossing my fingers that the level design opens up soon. So far, it’s been a bit too warehouse-to-warehouse for my liking, definitely fun, but a little claustrophobic.

Combat-wise, the game feels tight and flashy. There’s an adequate variety of moves right from the first mission, giving just enough complexity to keep each encounter fresh without overwhelming you. The movement speed and attack animations make you feel like the unstoppable super ninja you’re supposed to be. Every swing, flip, and dash has that satisfying “I’m awesome” energy to it.

The first boss fight hits that perfect balance between challenging and fair, not a damage sponge, but not a pushover either. If the pacing stays like this, we’re in for a well-tuned ride.

And performance? Surprisingly smooth on the Xbox Series S. It’s nice to see a major action title run well on the smaller console without compromise.

Where It Falls Short

For all the good, there are a few rough edges that hold Ninja Gaiden 4 back from instant perfection.

First up, the block animation feels painfully slow, almost a full second delay. It breaks immersion in a game that otherwise nails the “superhuman reflexes” vibe. In a title that rewards speed and precision, that delay stands out hard.

Then there’s the camera. Yes, the eternal Ninja Gaiden problem. It’s better than the summer’s remaster, but still far from perfect. The lock-on system can feel inconsistent, especially when trying to target enemies behind you with ranged attacks. It’s not game-breaking, but it does interrupt the flow at times.

Another shortcoming I experienced was an early game enemy AI hitch where, after taking cover around a corner to avoid a ranged enemy firing, a few enemies got stuck attacking the opposite side of the wall I was covering behind. This was a common AI issue from 15-20 years ago, not something I would expect to see in 2025.

Lastly, the kill finishers look incredible, but the forced cinematic angles make it hard to keep track of surrounding enemies. I’d love the option to move the camera mid-animation so I can plan my next strike.

Final Thoughts (So Far)

Ninja Gaiden 4 is exactly what I wanted from a modern sequel: fast, stylish, and unapologetically challenging. On regular difficulty, it hits that sweet spot of punishing but fair. For newcomers or players who just want to feel like an immortal ninja god, there’s an easier mode that makes the game more approachable without removing the fun.

If you’re a Game Pass subscriber, this is an easy recommendation. The 32GB install size is refreshingly small by today’s standards, and the game feels like a perfect “jump in for an hour” title, not something you have to binge to enjoy.

If you’re new to the series, I’d wait for a sale before dropping $70, but if you’ve ever sliced your way through a Ninja Gaiden before, this one’s worth your time.

So far, Ninja Gaiden 4 delivers a familiar formula, fast, fluid, and a little frustrating at times, but that’s exactly how it should be.