NINJA GAIDEN Returns to Fight Soulslike Clones

The 2025 Xbox Developer Direct brought many surprises, but the Ninja Gaiden revival stands out as one of the biggest. The classic action franchise is getting a resurgence with multiple new games, including Ninja Gaiden 4 and a surprise shadow drop, Ninja Gaiden 2 Black. This marks a significant return for the series, absent a proper entry since Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge in 2012 (excluding the Master Collection). This comeback could also signal a crucial shift in gaming: the return 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 action gaming. However, FromSoftware's Dark Souls, Bloodborne, and Elden Ring largely eclipsed this style. While Soulslikes are excellent, the AAA market should accommodate both styles. Ninja Gaiden's return could be the much-needed balance for the action genre.

### 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 roots, instantly became iconic for its smooth gameplay, fluid animation, and brutal difficulty. While other hack-and-slash titles existed, Ninja Gaiden stood apart, challenging players from the very first level. The infamous Murai, the initial boss, is a testament to this.

Despite the challenge, the difficulty is largely fair. Deaths stem from player mistakes, demanding mastery of combat rhythm, movement, defense, and counter-attacks. The Izuna Drop, Ultimate Techniques, and diverse weapon combos provide ample tools to overcome challenges. This demanding gameplay, ironically, foreshadowed the Soulslike formula and its dedicated fanbase. Ninja Gaiden's challenging nature fostered a similar mindset in Soulslike players: the satisfaction of conquering seemingly impossible odds. FromSoftware, and the games it inspired, amplified this concept into a subgenre. However, this success may have been too impactful, overshadowing classic 3D action games for a decade.

A Shift in the Landscape

The release of Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 (a widely criticized PS3 port) coincided with Demon's Souls (2009). Demon's Souls, receiving strong reviews, paved the way for Dark Souls (2011), a landmark title frequently cited as one of the greatest games ever made (including by IGN). While Ninja Gaiden 3 and Razor's Edge struggled, Dark Souls gained significant traction, spawning sequels and influencing FromSoftware's subsequent titles: Bloodborne, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, and Elden Ring.

This Soulslike influence spread to other franchises like Respawn's Star Wars Jedi series, Team Ninja's Nioh, and Game Science's Black Myth: Wukong. While these games are generally well-received, the Soulslike formula has saturated the AAA action space, leaving classic 3D action games scarce. Ninja Gaiden's return, after a long absence, is significant. The last proper Devil May Cry entry (DMC5) was 2019, and while God of War was revived in 2018, it shifted away from its fast-paced hack-and-slash roots towards a more methodical, semi-open-world style.

Soulslike hallmarks—timed dodges, parries, stamina management, character builds, open-ended levels, and save points—are recognizable. While fitting for FromSoftware, its widespread adoption has led to an oversaturation. Ninja Gaiden 2 Black's release allows the strengths of character action games to shine again.

The Master Ninja's Return

Ninja Gaiden 2 Black offers a refreshing change. The 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 veterans might critique difficulty adjustments and enemy counts, the original Ninja Gaiden II had technical flaws and unbalanced design. Ninja Gaiden 2 Black strikes a balance, retaining high difficulty, restoring gore, and incorporating content from Sigma 2 (excluding disliked statue boss fights).

This remaster showcases what was lost when similar games became less prevalent. In the late 2000s and early 2010s, games inspired by Ninja Gaiden and God of War were common (e.g., Bayonetta, Dante's Inferno, Darksiders, and even FromSoftware's Ninja Blade). The frenetic combo-based combat against numerous enemies and large bosses in a linear format was a successful formula, surprisingly overshadowed by the Soulslike model. While similar games exist (Hi-Fi Rush, for example), Ninja Gaiden 2 Black is a prominent example from a major developer in recent years.

Replaying Ninja Gaiden 2 Black highlights its unique qualities. There are no "cheats," build guides, experience points, or stamina bars limiting gameplay. It’s a pure test of skill: master the combat or face repeated game overs. 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.

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