Ninja Gaiden 4introduces dual protagonists to attract new players and satisfy longtime fans. The return of this saga with a new main installment was one of the biggest surprises from theXbox Developer Direct 2025.
A Ninja Gaiden Between the Classic and the Modern
This announcement carries significant weight, especially considering that nearly 13 years have passed since Ninja Gaiden 3—a long stretch of time and a perfect excuse to take a new direction, injecting fresh ideas into a decades-old franchise.
PlatinumGameswhich is handling the development ofNinja Gaiden 4.This is a bombshell revelation that also helps stabilize the conversation around the Japanese studio following the recent departure of one of its most prominent creatives, Hideki Kamiya. This collaboration with Team Ninja is particularly intriguing—it strongly suggests a push for revitalization in Ninja Gaiden, a shift in direction without abandoning the franchise’s core identity. It’s clear they aim to welcome new audiences while staying true to longtime fans.
This ambition is materialized in a key detail that hasn’t gone unnoticed—Ninja Gaiden 4features two protagonists: one completely new and one well-known to fans—Yakumo and Ryu Hayabusa.
This dual approach represents Koei Tecmo’s desire to expand the series to new players without alienating those who grew up with it. It’s a familiar move, reminiscent of what Devil May Cry did—shifting the spotlight to Nero in DMC 4, completely redesigning Dante in DmC (Ninja Theory’s reboot), and then introducing a shared protagonism in DMC 5 between Dante, Nero, and V.
Capcom experimented with different approaches in one of its most acclaimed series, balancing fan expectations while reaching new generations of players. The strategy worked—Devil May Cry 5 has sold over 8 million copies, proving the effectiveness of this dual focus. Ninja Gaiden 4 seems to be taking inspiration from this disruptive yet compelling approach. To fully understand what’s happening, we need to consider who is developing the project—PlatinumGames.
In this sense,Bayonetta 3might provide an important clue about what Ninja Gaiden 4 is aiming for. That game introduced a dual protagonism betweenBayonetta and Viola, each offering distinct gameplay styles. The Umbra Witch retained the classic mechanics that longtime fans loved, while Viola introduced a fresh approach—using a katana, throwing shurikens, summoning a massive demon-cat, and engaging in unique sections.
While Bayonetta had a more significant role in terms of gameplay, with fewer chapters dedicated to Viola, this duality was a way to test the waters.PlatinumGameslikely wanted to gauge its ability to attract new players—an experiment that could have provided valuable feedback forBayonetta 4.Ninja Gaiden 4might be following a similar approach, and the timing of this collaboration is probably no coincidence.
A New Path for Ninja Gaiden
From what we’ve seen in the trailer, Yakumo is positioned as the primary protagonist, with Ryu Hayabusa playing a smaller—but still significant—role. Koei Tecmo may be prioritizing a sense of novelty, at least at this stage of the game’s reveal. Hayabusa embodies the classic ninja archetype, while Yakumo represents a new generation with a slightly more futuristic touch. His attacks are just as brutal, filled with dismemberments, but his agility reaches another level—executing spectacular moves that truly make this feel like an evolved Ninja Gaiden.
Japanese studios often use their protagonists as a means of defining the core vision of their games. In this case, the message is clear:Ninja Gaiden 4will be a fusion of the traditional (Hayabusa) and the modern (Yakumo)—with the latter currently taking the lead. However, future updates will be crucial in determining the game’s final direction.
This dual approach presents an exciting middle ground between simply repeating past formulas and fully embracing innovation. With PlatinumGames at the helm, there’s little doubt thatNinja Gaiden 4is shaping up to be a high-quality experience.
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