The wait is almost over. Ninja Gaiden 4 lands on October 21, 2025, marking the series’ long-awaited return after more than a decade away. Revealed during Xbox Tokyo Game Show 2025, the new chapter opens with Bloodsoaked Tokyo – a razor-edged first level that sets the tone for the game’s signature blend of precision swordplay, ruthless enemies, and nerve-shredding challenge.
But this isn’t just about punishing veterans. Ninja Gaiden 4 has been designed to guide every player, from complete newcomers to die-hard Master Ninjas, through a journey of growth.
Forged Through Difficulty
The series has always been a byword for merciless challenge, and Ninja Gaiden 4 is no exception. But this time, Team Ninja has built an adaptive difficulty system with three starting modes – Hero, Normal, and Hard – each layered with customisable assists.
Hero Mode: Auto Evade, Auto Block, and Auto Assist help beginners learn timing, combos, and survival without being overwhelmed.
Normal Mode: Strips away assists, leaving every slash, counter, and dodge squarely in your hands.
Hard Mode: Cranks everything up, demanding mastery of Yakumo’s moves and careful planning of every encounter.
The best part? You can switch difficulties at any time, letting you step back or push forward as you grow. Training Mode also offers a safe space to spar with enemies, test combos, and experiment without pressure.
Accessibility Meets Hardcore Action
While still the fastest and bloodiest Ninja Gaiden yet, this entry is packed with features to help every player find their comfort zone:
- Auto Heal and Auto Movement for smoother survival and platforming.
- Reduced Gore for those who prefer toned-down visuals.
- Highlight Game Elements with customisable colours for clarity in chaotic battles.
- Full control remapping, left-handed and single-hand support, and accessibility tweaks to make sure no one is left behind.
For veterans, toggles like disabling Hit Lag or hiding Lock-on Markers recreate the raw intensity of earlier games.
Master Ninja Awaits
Clear Story Mode and you’ll unlock the infamous Master Ninja difficulty. Enemies appear earlier, strike faster, and attack in greater numbers. Even rocket troops return as relentless thorns in your side. One mistake is death. Every encounter is survival on a razor’s edge.
Can’t wait until the endgame? Hidden torii gates tucked in each chapter unlock Purgatory Trials, gauntlets that let you sample near-Master Ninja brutality at the cost of your own max health.
Death Wish: Beyond Brutal
For the truly unhinged, Ninja Gaiden 4 also offers Death Wish Mode – resetting growth and ratcheting the difficulty even higher. It’s designed for those who want the purest test of skill expression, where even veterans will be shredded.
Launch Details
Ninja Gaiden 4 launches October 21, 2025 for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, Xbox Cloud, Xbox Play Anywhere, Steam, and PlayStation 5. It’ll also be available day one with Game Pass.
- Standard Edition
- Deluxe Edition: Includes future DLC The Two Masters, character and weapon skins, plus bonus in-game items.
Pre-order either edition to unlock the Dark Dragon Descendent Yakumo skin at launch.