Ninja Gaiden Returns: A Soulslike Antidote

The 2025 Xbox Developer Direct held some major surprises, but the Ninja Gaiden revival stands out. This classic action franchise is getting not one, but multiple new games: Ninja Gaiden 4 and the surprise shadow drop, Ninja Gaiden 2 Black. This is a significant shift, considering the last mainline entry was Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge in 2012 (excluding the Master Collection). This resurgence could mark a turning point for gaming, signaling a return to classic 3D action after years of Soulslike dominance.

The action landscape once belonged to games like Ninja Gaiden, Devil May Cry, and the original God of War. However, FromSoftware's Dark Souls, Bloodborne, and Elden Ring have largely overtaken that style. While Soulslikes are fantastic, the AAA market should offer diversity. Ninja Gaiden's return could be the much-needed balance.

The Dragon Lineage

The Ninja Gaiden series was once considered the apex of action games. The 2004 Xbox reboot, a departure from its 2D NES roots, instantly became iconic for its fluid gameplay, animation, and brutal difficulty. While other hack-and-slash titles existed, Ninja Gaiden stood apart, challenging players from the very first level. Many recount their struggles against Murai, the formidable nunchaku-wielding first boss.

Despite its difficulty, Ninja Gaiden's challenges are generally fair. Deaths stem from player mistakes, demanding mastery of combat rhythm—a delicate dance of movement, defense, and counter-attacks. The Izuna Drop, Ultimate Techniques, and diverse weapon combos provide ample tools for overcoming obstacles.

Interestingly, Ninja Gaiden ironically foreshadowed the Soulslike phenomenon. Its demanding difficulty and the satisfaction of overcoming seemingly insurmountable odds resonated with future Soulslike fans. Few games demand such mechanical mastery, a concept FromSoftware and its imitators expanded into a whole subgenre. However, this success may have been *too* successful, overshadowing classic action games for a decade.

Follow the Leader

The release of Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 (a widely criticized PS3 port) in 2009 coincided with Demon's Souls. Demon's Souls, released to strong reviews, paved the way for 2011's Dark Souls—a landmark title frequently cited as one of the greatest games ever made, including by IGN. While Ninja Gaiden 3 and Razor's Edge faltered, Dark Souls gained significant traction. Its sequels and FromSoftware's subsequent titles (Bloodborne, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, Elden Ring) solidified the Soulslike formula.

FromSoftware's mechanics influenced many franchises (Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, Nioh, Black Myth: Wukong), all well-received. The Soulslike formula isn't inherently flawed, but its dominance has stifled the AAA action space, leaving classic 3D action games scarce. Ninja Gaiden's return, after over a decade, is significant. The last major Devil May Cry entry (DMC5) was 2019. God of War's 2018 revival, while successful, shifted away from its fast-paced roots towards a more methodical, semi-open-world style.

Soulslikes feature hallmarks like precise combat, stamina management, build customization, open-ended levels, and save points. While fitting for FromSoftware, widespread imitation has led to an oversaturation. Ninja Gaiden's return allows the strengths of character action games to shine again.

The Master Ninja Returns

Ninja Gaiden 2 Black offers a refreshing change. Its lightning-fast combat, diverse weapons, and restored gore (absent from Sigma 2) make it the best version on modern hardware. While veterans might debate difficulty adjustments, the original Ninja Gaiden II suffered from technical issues and unbalanced design. Ninja Gaiden 2 Black strikes a balance, retaining high difficulty and adding content (bonus characters, levels) while removing disliked elements (statue boss fights).

Ninja Gaiden 4 Screenshots

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This remaster highlights what was lost when similar games declined. Games inspired by Ninja Gaiden and God of War (Bayonetta, Dante's Inferno, Darksiders, even FromSoftware's Ninja Blade) were prevalent in the late 2000s and early 2010s. The frenetic combat against numerous foes and giant bosses in a linear format is a proven formula, surprisingly overshadowed by the Soulslike model. While similar games exist (Hi-Fi Rush), Ninja Gaiden 2 Black is a significant example from a major developer.

Replaying Ninja Gaiden 2 Black underscores its unique appeal. There are no shortcuts—no build guides, experience points, or stamina bars limiting abilities. It's a pure test of skill, demanding mastery of the given tools. While Soulslikes maintain popularity, Ninja Gaiden's return hopefully ushers in a new era for action games, catering to a broader audience.