Ninja Gaiden’s Revival is the Perfect Antidote to the Soulslike Phenomenon
The resurgence of Ninja Gaiden at the 2025 Xbox Developer Direct was a major highlight, announcing not one, but multiple new titles, including Ninja Gaiden 4 and the surprise release of Ninja Gaiden 2 Black. This marks a significant return for the franchise, absent from the scene since Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge in 2012 (excluding the Master Collection compilation). This revival could also signal a crucial shift in the gaming landscape: the comeback of classic 3D action games after years of Soulslike dominance.
While we appreciate Soulslike games from FromSoftware (like Dark Souls, Bloodborne, and Elden Ring), the AAA market should accommodate diverse genres. Ninja Gaiden's return could be the much-needed balance the action genre requires.
A Legacy of Dragons
The Ninja Gaiden series was once considered the epitome of action games. The 2004 Xbox reboot, a departure from its 2D NES origins, established Ryu Hayabusa's adventures as iconic, praised for its fluid gameplay, animation, and brutal difficulty. While other hack-and-slash titles existed, Ninja Gaiden stood out, challenging players relentlessly from the very first encounter with Murai, the formidable nunchaku-wielding boss.
Despite its demanding nature, the difficulty is generally fair. Deaths stem from player error, demanding mastery of combat mechanics, movement, defense, and counter-attacks. The game provides ample tools for success, including the Izuna Drop, Ultimate Techniques, and a vast array of weapon combos.
Interestingly, Ninja Gaiden's challenging gameplay foreshadowed the Soulslike phenomenon. The dedication required to conquer its difficulty resonated with the Soulslike community, emphasizing the satisfaction of overcoming seemingly insurmountable obstacles. FromSoftware and its successors adopted this demanding yet rewarding approach, creating a whole subgenre. However, this model's success might have inadvertently stifled other action game styles.
Following the Soulslike Trend
The release of Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 (a widely criticized PS3 port of Ninja Gaiden II) coincided with Demon's Souls (2009), a game that paved the way for the landmark Dark Souls (2011). While Ninja Gaiden 3 and Razor's Edge struggled, Dark Souls flourished, spawning sequels and influencing titles like Bloodborne, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, and Elden Ring. This Soulslike influence spread to other franchises, including Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, Nioh, and Black Myth: Wukong.
While Soulslike games are undeniably popular, their dominance has overshadowed classic 3D action games. The last significant entries in other prominent franchises, like Devil May Cry 5 (2019) and the rebooted God of War (2018), have adopted elements of the Soulslike formula, sacrificing some of their original fast-paced action. Soulslike hallmarks—challenging combat focused on timing, stamina management, character builds, open-world design, and save points—are now prevalent, potentially leading to genre fatigue. Ninja Gaiden's return offers a refreshing alternative.
The Master Ninja's Comeback
Ninja Gaiden 2 Black provides a welcome change of pace. Its lightning-fast combat, diverse weaponry, and the restoration of the original game's gore (absent in Sigma 2) make it the definitive version for modern platforms. While some veterans might criticize the difficulty adjustments and enemy numbers, the original Ninja Gaiden II suffered from technical issues and unbalanced design. Ninja Gaiden 2 Black strikes a balance, retaining high difficulty and gore while incorporating extra content from Sigma 2 (excluding the unpopular statue boss fights).
This remaster showcases the unique qualities of classic action games. Unlike Soulslike titles, there are no shortcuts or exploits; no builds to copy, experience points to grind, or stamina bars to manage. It's a pure test of skill, demanding mastery of the provided tools.
While Soulslike games' popularity is unlikely to wane, Ninja Gaiden's return could usher in a new era for action games, offering a compelling alternative and catering to a broader audience.
Ninja Gaiden 4 Screenshots
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