Ninja Gaiden Revival: A Fresh Alternative to Soulslike Games

The 2025 Xbox Developer Direct event brought a thrilling announcement for fans of classic action games: the revival of the Ninja Gaiden series. With the reveal of Ninja Gaiden 4 and the immediate release of Ninja Gaiden 2 Black, the franchise is making a significant comeback. This marks a surprising shift, as the last major entry, Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge, was released in 2012. The resurgence of Ninja Gaiden could signal a pivotal moment for the gaming industry, potentially reviving the genre of old-school 3D action games that have been overshadowed by the dominance of Soulslike titles in recent years.

Historically, games like Ninja Gaiden, Devil May Cry, and the original God of War series defined the action genre. However, the rise of FromSoftware's titles such as Dark Souls, Bloodborne, and Elden Ring has shifted the focus. While Soulslike games have their merits, the return of Ninja Gaiden could help restore balance to the action gaming landscape, offering a diverse range of experiences for players.

The Ninja Gaiden series has long been widely considered the epitome of action gaming. The 2004 reboot on the original Xbox transformed the series from its 2D roots into a 3D masterpiece, celebrated for its smooth gameplay, fluid animations, and challenging difficulty. While other hack-and-slash games like Devil May Cry were known for their difficulty, Ninja Gaiden set itself apart with its relentless challenge, exemplified by the notorious first boss, Murai, who tested players' skills from the outset.

Despite its steep learning curve, Ninja Gaiden's difficulty is fair, rooted in player error rather than unfair game mechanics. Mastering the game involves understanding the rhythm of combat, a delicate balance of movement, defense, and counter-attacks. From the iconic Izuna Drop to the powerful Ultimate Techniques and a variety of weapon combos, players have ample tools to overcome the game's challenges.

Ninja Gaiden's influence on the gaming community is undeniable, paving the way for the Soulslike genre. The satisfaction of overcoming seemingly impossible odds, a hallmark of Soulslike games, was first championed by Ninja Gaiden players. However, the dominance of Soulslike games in recent years has overshadowed other action game styles, leaving fans of traditional action games longing for more variety.

Follow the Leader

The release of Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 in 2009, the same year as Demon’s Souls, marked a turning point. Demon’s Souls received strong reviews and set the stage for Dark Souls in 2011, which is often hailed as one of the greatest video games ever made, including by IGN. As Ninja Gaiden 3 and its rerelease Razor’s Edge struggled, Dark Souls and its sequels captured the action gaming market. FromSoftware's subsequent titles like Bloodborne, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, and Elden Ring further refined this gameplay style.

The popularity of FromSoftware's mechanics influenced other developers, leading to games like Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, Nioh, and Black Myth: Wukong. While these games are well-received, the Soulslike model has dominated the AAA action space, leaving little room for traditional 3D action games. The return of Ninja Gaiden after over a decade, alongside the last Devil May Cry entry in 2019 and the transformed God of War in 2018, highlights the need for diversity in the action genre.

Soulslike games are characterized by challenging combat, timing-based dodges and parries, stamina management, customizable builds, and large, open-ended levels with save points that heal and respawn enemies. While FromSoftware's approach is innovative, the saturation of this style has left gamers craving variety. The release of Ninja Gaiden 2 Black offers a refreshing alternative, showcasing the unique strengths of character action games.

The Master Ninja Returns

Ninja Gaiden 2 Black revitalizes the action genre with its fast-paced combat, diverse weapon selection, and the return of the gore that was missing from the Sigma version. This remaster is the definitive version of Ninja Gaiden 2 for modern platforms, ideal for both newcomers and veterans. While some may criticize the adjusted difficulty and enemy counts, Ninja Gaiden 2 Black strikes a balance between maintaining the series' challenging nature and improving upon the technical issues of the original Ninja Gaiden II.

Ninja Gaiden 4 Screenshots

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The remaster serves as a reminder of the action games that thrived in the late 2000s and early 2010s, inspired by Ninja Gaiden and God of War. Titles like Bayonetta, Dante’s Inferno, Darksiders, and even FromSoftware's Ninja Blade showcased the excitement of fast-paced, combo-based combat in linear settings. While games like Hi-Fi Rush in 2023 keep the spirit alive, Ninja Gaiden 2 Black stands out as a major release from a prominent developer, emphasizing the unique appeal of this genre.

Playing Ninja Gaiden 2 Black underscores the purity of action games like Ninja Gaiden, where success depends solely on mastering the game's mechanics without relying on external aids like builds or experience points. It's a direct challenge between player and game, requiring skill and precision. While Soulslike games will likely continue to dominate, the return of Ninja Gaiden offers hope for a new golden age of action gaming, catering to a diverse audience that appreciates both styles.