Ninja Gaiden 4 Review: a brutal return with some rough edges

There’s a lot to admire in Ninja Gaiden 4. At its core is some of the most satisfying, fast-paced hack-and-slash combat you’ll find this year. From the opening hours you’re whipped into a melee of razor-sharp blades, flying limbs and unrelenting enemies. The combat systems feel refined, fluid and deeply rewarding when you get into the groove. The blend of the series’ signature moves with new mechanics gives each encounter weight and style.

For fans of pure action, Ninja Gaiden 4 often hits the sweet spot. Boss battles in particular stand out, delivering memorable peaks of intensity. The performance is strong — the game runs smoothly, looks slick, and the sound design and music consistently amp up the adrenaline. If you live to master combos, dodge at the perfect moment, and carve through hordes of foes with precision, you’ll get a lot of joy here.

That said, the game isn’t flawless. The story is middling — the plot doesn’t land in a meaningful way and characters don’t always shine. Some of the level design begins to feel repetitive, especially in the later stages, where enemies and environments start to recycle in ways that undercut the momentum. While the ambition is high, certain presentation and pacing elements don’t quite match the polish of the top-tier action titles. In short: combat designs are stellar, everything else is good but not exceptional.

Verdict: If you’re an action-game enthusiast or a long-time Ninja Gaiden fan craving a return to the high-octane blade-action of old, this is well worth picking up. It delivers what matters most for that audience. But if you were hoping for a fully modern package with an outstanding story and world design to match the combat, you’ll find a few disappointments.

Score: 8/10