Team Ninja's long-awaited Ninja Gaiden 4 is finally on the horizon, a collaboration born from years of deliberation and a fortuitous meeting of minds. Producer Fumihiko Yasuda revealed that the studio had struggled to solidify a concept for a new installment, a hurdle overcome thanks to discussions between Koei Tecmo's Hisashi Koinuma, PlatinumGames' Atsushi Inaba, and Xbox's Phil Spencer. Spencer's suggestion for a three-way partnership proved pivotal.

Spencer himself confirmed that initial talks began as early as 2017, focusing on the potential for a sequel. The eventual partnership with PlatinumGames, renowned for their high-octane action titles like Bayonetta and NieR: Automata, provided the perfect blend of expertise to bring the vision to life.

The surprise announcement last week was further amplified by the simultaneous release of a remastered Ninja Gaiden 2 Black for Xbox, PlayStation 5, and PC.

Early footage showcases Ryu Hayabusa returning as the protagonist in this action-packed slasher. Gameplay reveals exciting new mechanics, including agile traversal using wires and rails, setting Ninja Gaiden 4 apart from its predecessors.

While DOOM: The Dark Ages dominated the Developer_Direct headlines, the unveiling of Ninja Gaiden 4, a highly anticipated addition to the Koei Tecmo franchise, generated significant buzz. The game is slated for release in Fall 2025.