Ninja Gaiden's Return: A Fresh Challenge in a Soulslike Era

The 2025 Xbox Developer Direct brought many surprises, but the Ninja Gaiden revival stands out as one of the biggest. The classic action franchise is getting multiple new games, including Ninja Gaiden 4 and Ninja Gaiden 2 Black, the latter of which was a surprise release immediately following the event. This is a significant shift for the series, considering the last mainline entry was Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge in 2012 (excluding the Master Collection compilation). This resurgence signifies a potential turning point for gaming: the return of classic 3D action games after years of Soulslike dominance.

While we appreciate Soulslike games, the AAA market should offer diverse experiences. Ninja Gaiden's return could be the much-needed balance the action genre requires.

### A Legacy of Dragons

The Ninja Gaiden series was once a benchmark for action games. The 2004 Xbox reboot, a departure from its 2D NES roots, instantly became iconic for its smooth gameplay, fluid animation, and brutal difficulty. While other hack-and-slash games existed, Ninja Gaiden stood apart, its challenge pushing players to their limits. Many remember the punishing encounters with Murai, the game's first boss.

Despite the difficulty, the challenge is generally fair. Deaths result from player mistakes, demanding mastery of combat rhythm, movement, defense, and counter-attacks. The Izuna Drop, Ultimate Techniques, and diverse weapon combos provide ample tools for success.

This demanding gameplay, ironically, foreshadowed the Soulslike phenomenon. Ninja Gaiden's challenging nature fostered a player mindset similar to that of Soulslike fans: the satisfaction of overcoming seemingly insurmountable odds. Few action games demand such mechanical mastery. FromSoftware's games, and those they inspired, built upon this concept, creating a subgenre. However, this model has arguably oversaturated the action game market.

Following the Trend

Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2, a widely criticized PS3 port of Ninja Gaiden II, coincided with Demon's Souls (2009). Demon's Souls, receiving strong reviews, paved the way for Dark Souls (2011), a landmark title frequently cited as one of the greatest video games ever made, including by IGN. While Ninja Gaiden 3 and Razor's Edge struggled, Dark Souls significantly impacted the action market, spawning sequels and influencing FromSoftware's subsequent titles (Bloodborne, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, and Elden Ring).

This Soulslike influence spread to other franchises (Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, Jedi: Survivor, Nioh, Black Myth: Wukong). While these games are generally well-regarded, the Soulslike formula has dominated AAA action games, leaving classic 3D action games scarce. Ninja Gaiden's return after a long absence, along with DMC5 (2019) and the evolution of God of War (2018), highlight this shift. The new God of War games, while not strictly Soulslike, share similarities.

Soulslike hallmarks—challenging combat emphasizing timing, stamina management, character builds, open-ended levels, and save points—are now commonplace. While this formula works for FromSoftware, its widespread adoption has led to market saturation. Ninja Gaiden 2 Black's release offers a chance for classic character action games to shine again.

The Master Ninja's Return

Ninja Gaiden 2 Black provides a refreshing change of pace. The fast-paced combat, diverse weapons, and the restoration of the original game's gore (absent in Sigma 2) make it the best version on modern hardware, an ideal entry point for newcomers. While veterans might critique difficulty adjustments and enemy numbers, the original Ninja Gaiden II had technical flaws and unbalanced design. Ninja Gaiden 2 Black strikes a balance, retaining high difficulty and gore while incorporating Sigma 2's additional content (excluding unpopular statue boss fights).

This remaster highlights the loss of similar games. Games inspired by Ninja Gaiden and God of War were prevalent in the late 2000s and early 2010s (Bayonetta, Dante's Inferno, Darksiders, Ninja Blade). The frenetic, combo-based combat against numerous enemies and large bosses in a linear format is a proven formula, surprisingly absent as Soulslike games gained prominence. While similar games still exist (Hi-Fi Rush), Ninja Gaiden 2 Black is a significant release from a major developer.

Replaying Ninja Gaiden 2 Black emphasizes the unique experience it offers. There are no shortcuts: no build guides, experience points, or stamina bars limiting abilities. It's a pure test of skill, demanding mastery of combat mechanics. While Soulslike games remain popular, Ninja Gaiden's return hopefully ushers in a new era for action games, providing enough room for both styles to thrive.

Ninja Gaiden 4 Screenshots

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