* Image is for illustrative purposes only.Ninja Gaiden 4
NINJA GAIDEN 4
A high-speed ninja action game co-developed by Koei Tecmo's Team NINJA and PlatinumGames and published by Xbox Game Studios on 21 October 2025 for PlayStation 5, Windows and Xbox Series X|S. Set in a near-future Tokyo under an unending cursed rain, it lets players control both Yakumo, a new protagonist of the Raven Clan, and series icon Ryu Hayabusa. At Tokyo Game Show 2025, real Japanese swords forged by Japanese swordsmiths reproducing the two heroes' blades — "Kiba Takeminakata" and the "Dragon Sword" — were put on display.
Description
Overview
*Ninja Gaiden 4* is a 3D action game co-developed by Koei Tecmo's Team NINJA and PlatinumGames and published by Xbox Game Studios, released on 21 October 2025 for PlayStation 5, Windows and Xbox Series X|S. It is the first mainline numbered entry in well over a decade for a series that began with the 1980s Famicom title *Ninja Ryukenden* and, after its 3D reinvention in 2004, became a byword for punishing action design. The collaboration grew out of the relationship between the heads of Koei Tecmo and PlatinumGames, realised with the backing of Microsoft Gaming.
Story and Two Protagonists
The game is set in a near-future Tokyo where the return of the sealed Dark Dragon has brought an unending cursed rain. The new protagonist is Yakumo, a ninja of the Raven Clan, who comes into conflict with — and ultimately fights alongside — the legendary Hayabusa Clan ninja Ryu Hayabusa, before slaying the Dark Dragon. Ryu is also playable, answering the expectations of longtime fans. Yakumo fights by manipulating his own blood to form blades, switching between the "Raven Form" and "Nue Form," while both characters retain series signature techniques such as the Izuna Drop and Flying Swallow.
Blades Forged for Real
What sets this release apart is that its fictional swords were forged as genuine Japanese blades. Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer, in tribute to the craft of both development studios, had Japanese swordsmiths forge real swords reproducing Yakumo's blade "Kiba Takeminakata" and Ryu Hayabusa's "Dragon Sword." The pair were unveiled on 25 September 2025 at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Koei Tecmo booth at Tokyo Game Show 2025 and displayed to visitors. It is a rare case of imaginary in-game swords being realised as physical objects through traditional Japanese sword-forging technique.
Reception
Critics described it as a return to form for the series, with Metacritic scores of 79 to 82 depending on platform. It was nominated for Best Action Game at The Game Awards 2025 and won that category at the Ultra Game Awards 2025. A DLC expansion, "The Two Masters," adding story chapters and new weapons, followed on 4 March 2026. The game stands as an example of ninja action built around the Japanese sword as its defining weapon winning renewed appreciation in the global market.
Real Swords Featured
Kiba Takeminakata
The fictional blade wielded by the new protagonist Yakumo. At the initiative of Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer, it was forged as an actual Japanese sword by Japanese swordsmiths and displayed at the Koei Tecmo booth during Tokyo Game Show 2025.
Dragon Sword (Ryuken)
The fictional heirloom blade Ryu Hayabusa has carried throughout the series and its emblem since *Ninja Ryukenden*. To mark this entry it was likewise forged as a real Japanese sword and unveiled at TGS 2025.
See authentic Japanese swords
See authentic Japanese swordsThis page is intended to introduce Japanese sword culture and is not affiliated with any of the works mentioned.