First Ninja Gaiden 4 Reviews Surface: Journalists Broke Embargo, Call It a Potential Hit

Ninja Gaiden 4 is set to launch on October 21, 2025 — one of the most eagerly awaited slashers of the year. The title will release simultaneously on PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC, and thanks to a partnership with Microsoft it will be available on Xbox Game Pass from day one.

It appears PlatinumGames has delivered. Despite an active review embargo, two outlets — Digitaleanime and Justplayit — posted early impressions, highlighting the game’s aesthetic, momentum and meticulous detail. They claim the team successfully marries the intensity of the classic entries with modern, fluid gameplay, producing one of the strongest slasher experiences in recent memory.

Scores reflect that praise: Digitaleanime awarded 9.5/10, while Justplayit gave 8.5/10. Critics commend the intricate combat, the blend of speed, precision and brutality, the diverse arsenal, the combo system and PlatinumGames’ signature smoothness woven with Team Ninja’s legacy. The visuals impress with a dark, cyberpunk Tokyo, and the soundtrack mixes Japanese motifs with electronic elements. Performance remains steady at 60 fps even during peak moments; the “Purgatory” mode adds challenge-focused content, and the distinct fighting styles of Ryu and Yakumo boost replay value and accessibility.

There are flaws: reviewers noted some monotonous locales outside Tokyo, camera issues in tight interiors, steep combo complexity for newcomers, and repetitive foes in the campaign’s final stages.

Still, early impressions are convincing: Ninja Gaiden 4 stands a strong chance of becoming one of this generation’s premier slashers, marrying technical mastery with the series’ trademark unforgiving tone.

Source: iXBT.games