It seems you’re looking for a review roundup for *Ninja Gaiden 4*! You’re in luck, as the game was recently released on October 21, 2025, for PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S, and is also available on Xbox Game Pass. This anticipated sequel is a collaborative effort between Team Ninja and PlatinumGames, and it introduces a new protagonist named Yakumo, though the legendary Ryu Hayabusa also plays a significant role and is playable.

Here’s a breakdown of what critics are saying:

**Overall Reception:**
* *Ninja Gaiden 4* has received “generally positive reviews” from critics, with many hailing it as a “return to form” for the series. It’s being called one of the best new games and action games of 2025. OpenCritic shows a range of scores, including 9/10 from Game Rant, 8/10 from IGN and GameSpot, and 5/5 from GamesRadar+.

**Key Strengths:**
* **Phenomenal Combat:** The combat system is consistently praised as “phenomenal,” “incredibly fast,” and “slick as hell,” blending Team Ninja’s fluidity with PlatinumGames’ over-the-top craziness. It’s described as pristine, rewarding precision and strategy, and offering great flexibility in approach. Enemies are ruthless and intelligent, preventing repetitive tactics.
* **Developer Collaboration:** The partnership between Team Ninja and PlatinumGames is highlighted as a success, building off the combat of *Ninja Gaiden 2* and incorporating approachable touches without sacrificing the series’ signature difficulty.
* **Return to Form:** Many reviews emphasize that the game delivers the intense, high-octane action that established the *Ninja Gaiden* series, feeling like a genuine experience that players have awaited for years, especially when compared to *Ninja Gaiden 3*.
* **Weapon Variety and Upgrades:** The game features a robust system for purchasing weapon-specific techniques with Weapon EXP, ensuring there’s always something new to unlock and master, including classic moves like the Flying Swallow and Izuna Drop.
* **Replayability:** The game offers high replayability with various modes unlocked after completion, catering to both casual players and “masochistic” *Ninja Gaiden* fans seeking extreme challenges.

**Key Weaknesses:**
* **Uninspired Level Design:** A recurring criticism is the “uninspired” and “bland” level design, with players often traversing generic rooftops, corridors, and city streets in a futuristic Tokyo.
* **Disappointing Story and New Protagonist:** The story is generally found to be predictable, lacking depth, and falling flat. The new lead character, Yakumo, is described as bland and not carrying the narrative weight, often contributing little to conversations. Ryu Hayabusa’s sections, though present, can feel like “contractual obligation” and sometimes involve re-treading content.
* **Progression Issues:** While the game makes a strong first impression, some critics note that the progression can show cracks, and boss fights, while fun, may not reach the heights of previous entries.
* **Technical Niggles:** Issues like a problematic lock-on system in crowded fights and a red border when low on health obscuring indicators have been mentioned.

**New Features and Setting:**
* *Ninja Gaiden 4* takes place after *Ninja Gaiden 3* in a near-future Tokyo, which has been plunged into chaos by the return of the Dark Dragon, giving the city a rainy, cyberpunk aesthetic. This unsettling environment contributes to the game’s core themes of “adversity”.
* The game introduces Yakumo, a young ninja prodigy from the Raven clan, as the primary protagonist, designed to be approachable for new players, while Ryu Hayabusa also has a significant role.

In summary, *Ninja Gaiden 4* is lauded for its exceptional, fast-paced combat and its successful blend of Team Ninja and PlatinumGames’ styles, making it a strong return for the series. However, its narrative, level design, and new protagonist received mixed to negative feedback. If you’re looking for a pure action experience with challenging and rewarding combat, *Ninja Gaiden 4* seems to deliver.