After more than a decade, Ninja Gaiden 4 is finally making its way back, and the reviews are looking good! With a Metacritic score of 83 and an OpenCritic average of 82, the game is being praised as a perfect comeback that stays true to its roots and also modernizing just enough to feel new.
Outlets like GamesRadar (10/10) and TechRaptor (9/10) call it a “must-play for fans of hack and slash, action, and anything ninja.” Players are particularly happy with how well the new protagonist Yakumo holds up compared to Ryu Hayabusa, and that is no small feat given the franchise’s legacy.
Why Critics Love It
Most reviewers agree that Ninja Gaiden 4 gets the fundamentals right. The combat is fast, fluid, and really satisfying, and the collaboration between Team Ninja and PlatinumGames clearly paid off.
Some noted that “its combat is visceral and incredibly fluid,” and highlighted that “the more I play, the more I fall in love with it.” Many also pointed out that, for once, the camera actually works.
Others even went as far as to call it the gold standard for modern action games, mixing the intensity of older entries with the smoother flow of current-gen design.
But It Is Not All Perfect
Even with strong reviews, players pointed out a few rough edges. The on-rails sections were described as repetitive, and some difficulty spikes felt frustrating rather than challenging. A few also criticized the story, calling it “flat” or “questionable” toward the end, and said that weapon variety could have been better.
Still, these seem to be minor cuts in an otherwise clean combo, and most players will likely be too busy killing cyber ninjas to care.
A Worthy Successor
Ninja Gaiden 4 does not reinvent anything, but it makes it better. Critics call it a “thrilling, demanding, and deeply satisfying return” that proves the series still has a place in modern action gaming. For any fan of the genre, it is a no-brainer, and this is classic Ninja Gaiden, reborn with just enough new aspects to keep it good.
For more gaming information, keep an eye on our latest news!
