NINJA GAIDEN 4 delivers exactly what the series is known for: fast, brutal, and demanding combat. Our 30-minute hands-on session at Tokyo Game Show 2025 showcased the game’s return to its blood-soaked roots while introducing new mechanics that add depth to the familiar formula.

The demo takes place in a cyberpunk-themed environment that blends futuristic aesthetics with the ninja theme. Unlike previous NINJA GAIDEN games set in futuristic Japan, this demo featured a cyberpunk city at night, complete with neon signs, rain-slicked streets, and cargo containers.

Despite the technological setting, combat remains entirely melee-focused. Enemies appear as machines but are actually humans in mecha suits, ensuring the signature blood effects remain present when defeated.

Core Gameplay

The demo starts with a tutorial covering the basics—light attacks, heavy attacks, shurikens, blocking, and dodging. The standout addition is the Bloodraven Form, a special skill exclusive to character Yakumo. This transformation mode lets players absorb blood from defeated enemies to power up their weapons for massive damage output. It also serves a tactical purpose: countering enemies’ unblockable red attacks. Classic finishers return with the same violent flair fans expect. These brutal executions are flashy and graphic, maintaining the series’ mature rating.

Three weapons were available in the demo:

Twin Blades offer balanced performance with fast attacks and moderate damage, making them accessible for players getting used to the combat system. In Bloodraven Form, they transform into a katana that significantly increases damage output.

Rapier focuses on quick stabbing attacks. When powered up, it becomes a drill-like weapon capable of dealing heavy area-of-effect damage and high burst damage.

Staff is the most challenging option, delivering powerful hits at the cost of slow attack speed and longer recovery times. Its Bloodraven Form transforms it into a hammer that hits extremely hard but remains slow.

Boss Encounter

After a few minutes of standard combat, the demo presented a boss fight against D.D.O. Commander, a large mecha samurai. The encounter tested the game’s combat depth through two distinct phases.

The first phase emphasized dodging, blocking, and using Bloodraven Form to counter red attacks. The second phase increased difficulty substantially, with the boss unleashing delayed and chained attacks that required careful reading of timing patterns. Mistimed dodges or blocks resulted in heavy damage. The fight was fast-paced, tense, and unforgiving. Every action—dodge, block, or counter—felt crucial, with a single mistake capable of costing the entire run.

NINJA GAIDEN 4 First Impressions

The NINJA GAIDEN 4  demo showcased a game that honors NINJA GAIDEN’s demanding combat while introducing the Bloodraven Form mechanic and a fresh cyberpunk setting. The combination of tight combat mechanics, multiple weapon styles with distinct characteristics, and challenging encounters demonstrates that the series’ signature intensity remains intact. The blend of classic blood-soaked action with new mechanics keeps players engaged and on edge throughout combat encounters.