Collaboration Between Koei Tecmo and PlatinumGames Makes Ninja Gaiden 4 a Reality, Accepts Directors - "Without Their Assistance, We Couldn't Have Achieved What We Did With This Game."
Ninja Gaiden 4, the highly anticipated new mainline entry in the iconic series, is set to launch on Oct. 21, 2025, across Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC (Steam and Xbox PC), and PlayStation 5. This long-awaited game, over 13 years since the last instalment, is a result of a unique collaboration between PlatinumGames, Koei Tecmo, Team Ninja, and Xbox Game Studios.
The collaboration between these industry giants has profoundly shaped the development and gameplay of Ninja Gaiden 4. PlatinumGames led the development, with Koei Tecmo and Team Ninja (the original franchise creators) providing guidance and daily feedback, ensuring the game retained its Ninja Gaiden roots while allowing PlatinumGames’ signature style to influence the experience.
This cooperation resulted in a game that merges traditional Ninja Gaiden elements—like the precision, challenge, and iconic mechanics overseen by Team Ninja—with PlatinumGames’ flair for stylistic, fast-paced action and flexible combat options.
The gameplay features a variety of fighting styles and combat techniques, catering to both longtime fans and newcomers by offering flexible difficulty settings and accessible mechanics. Players can switch between two protagonists, Yakumo and returning hero Ryu Hayabusa, who have distinct combat feels—Yakumo is faster and edgier while Ryu is precise and powerful—highlighting the collaboration’s thematic blend of old and new.
The development process involved constant communication and balancing to combine PlatinumGames' creativity with Team Ninja's demand for responsive, precise controls. Masakazu Hirayama, director and producer at Team Ninja, states that the collaboration has made the project possible, and he shares a mutual understanding of the Ninja Gaiden series with PlatinumGames' Nakao.
One of the key focuses of the collaborative process was the balance of Yakumo's Bloodraven Form in the game. Initially, Bloodraven Form was dominating the gameplay, trivializing many encounters. However, the teams reworked it to feel more integrated with the game's combat. According to Hirayama, the current version of Bloodraven Form is almost completely different from its initial state.
Xbox Game Studios’ role as publisher helped position the game prominently within Xbox’s lineup, facilitating broader reach and visibility. The standard edition of Ninja Gaiden 4 will be available day one in Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass, ensuring it reaches a wide audience.
Ninja Gaiden 4 is one of the upcoming Xbox titles, and its pre-orders are available on Amazon, Best Buy, Steam, and Xbox. With its innovative gameplay, respect for the series' legacy, and accessibility options, Ninja Gaiden 4 is shaping up to be a standout action game, reflecting the combined expertise of all teams involved.
- Ninja Gaiden 4, the latest installment in the popular series, will be released on Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC (Steam and Xbox PC), and PlayStation 5 in October 2025.
- The game's development saw a unique collaboration between PlatinumGames, Koei Tecmo, Team Ninja, and Xbox Game Studios, with Team Ninja providing guidance and daily feedback to ensure the game's Ninja Gaiden roots.
- The game features two protagonists, Yakumo and Ryu Hayabusa, each with distinct combat feels, as a result of the collaboration's thematic blend of old and new.
- Xbox Game Studios' role as publisher has helped position Ninja Gaiden 4 prominently within Xbox's lineup, with the standard edition available day one in Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass.
