Ninja Revival Combats Soulslike Dominance

The 2025 Xbox Developer Direct brought many surprises, but the Ninja Gaiden revival stands out as one of the biggest. This classic action franchise is getting a resurgence with multiple new titles, including Ninja Gaiden 4 and the surprise shadow drop of Ninja Gaiden 2 Black. This marks a significant shift for the series, dormant since Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge in 2012 (excluding the Master Collection). More importantly, it signals a potential turning point for gaming: the comeback of classic 3D action games after years of Soulslike dominance.

Once, titles like Ninja Gaiden, Devil May Cry, and the original God of War defined the action genre. However, FromSoftware's Dark Souls, Bloodborne, and Elden Ring largely supplanted this style. While Soulslikes have their merits, the AAA market should offer diverse experiences. Ninja Gaiden's return could be the much-needed balance.

### A Legendary Lineage

The Ninja Gaiden series was once considered the apex of action games. The 2004 Xbox reboot, a departure from its 2D NES origins, instantly became iconic for its fluid gameplay, smooth animation, and brutal difficulty. While other hack-and-slash games existed, Ninja Gaiden stood apart, challenging players from the very first encounter. The infamous Murai, the initial boss, is a testament to this unforgiving yet fair challenge. Deaths result from player error, demanding mastery of combat mechanics, movement, defense, and counter-attacks. The Izuna Drop, Ultimate Techniques, and diverse weapon combos provide ample tools to overcome obstacles.

Ironically, Ninja Gaiden's demanding gameplay influenced the Soulslike genre. Players' dedication to conquering its highest difficulty levels mirrored the mindset of Soulslike fans, finding satisfaction in overcoming seemingly insurmountable challenges. Ninja Gaiden's precision and mastery paved the way for FromSoftware's success, but this model has arguably oversaturated the action game market.

Following the Trend

Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2, a widely criticized PS3 port, coincided with Demon's Souls (2009). Demon's Souls, receiving strong reviews, set the stage for the landmark Dark Souls (2011). While the Ninja Gaiden series faltered with Ninja Gaiden 3 and its slightly improved Razor's Edge, Dark Souls thrived, spawning sequels and influencing titles like Bloodborne, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, and Elden Ring.

This Soulslike influence extended to other franchises, including Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, Jedi: Survivor, Team Ninja's Nioh, and Black Myth: Wukong. While these games are critically acclaimed, the Soulslike formula has dominated AAA action to the detriment of classic styles. Ninja Gaiden's return after a long absence, along with DMC5 (2019) and the evolved God of War (2018), which shifted away from its fast-paced roots, highlights this issue. The newer God of War games, while not strictly Soulslikes, share similarities.

Soulslike hallmarks – timed dodges, parries, stamina management, character builds, open-ended levels, and save points – are recognizable. While appropriate for FromSoftware, the widespread adoption has led to market saturation. Ninja Gaiden 2 Black's release offers a chance to showcase the unique strengths of character action games.

The Master Ninja's Return

Ninja Gaiden 2 Black provides a refreshing change. Its fast-paced combat, diverse weapons, and the return of the original game's gore (absent in Sigma 2) make it the best version on modern hardware. While some veterans may criticize difficulty adjustments, the original Ninja Gaiden II suffered from technical limitations and unbalanced design. Ninja Gaiden 2 Black strikes a balance, retaining high difficulty, restoring gore, and incorporating extra content (excluding disliked statue boss fights).

This remaster showcases what was lost when similar games ceased being a genre mainstay. Games inspired by Ninja Gaiden and God of War were prevalent in the late 2000s and early 2010s (Bayonetta, Dante's Inferno, Darksiders, and even FromSoftware's Ninja Blade). The frenetic, combo-driven combat against numerous enemies and giant bosses in a linear format is a proven formula, surprisingly absent as Soulslikes gained prominence. While similar games persist (Hi-Fi Rush), Ninja Gaiden 2 Black is a significant release from a major developer.

Replaying Ninja Gaiden 2 Black highlights its unique qualities. There are no shortcuts; no build guides, experience points, or stamina bars to limit gameplay. It's a pure test of skill, demanding mastery of the provided tools. Success or failure rests solely on the player's ability. While Soulslikes remain popular, Ninja Gaiden's return hopefully ushers in a new era for action games, providing enough space for both styles to thrive.

Ninja Gaiden 4 Screenshots

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