Ninja Gaiden 4 launches with Yakumo as new lead, day-one on Game Pass

Ninja Gaiden 4, the long-awaited return of the 3D Ninja Gaiden series, launched on October 21, 2025, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S, and Windows, and is available day one on Xbox Game Pass. Developed by Team Ninja in collaboration with PlatinumGames, the game continues the franchise’s hack-and-slash tradition while introducing a new lead, modern accessibility options, and postlaunch content plans.

The story centers on Yakumo, a Raven clan shinobi on a mission to permanently destroy the Dark Dragon that has shrouded a futuristic, rain-soaked Tokyo in a demonic miasma. Series stalwart Ryu Hayabusa returns as a playable character but plays a secondary role during the main campaign. Yakumo appears in the majority of the game’s 19 chapters; Ryu features in a smaller set of dedicated chapters and can be used to replay the full campaign after completion.

Gameplay emphasizes fast, combo-driven swordplay, weapon switching, and precise defensive tools such as parrying and dodging. Yakumo’s signature mechanics include Bloodraven form and Bloodbind ninjutsu, which transform weapons and grant new offensive and defensive options. Ryu retains a more traditional, power-focused moveset...