Ninja Gaiden Revival: A Fresh Counter to Soulslike Trend

The 2025 Xbox Developer Direct event brought a thrilling announcement for fans of classic action games: the revival of the Ninja Gaiden series. With the reveal of Ninja Gaiden 4 and the immediate release of Ninja Gaiden 2 Black, the franchise is making a significant comeback. This marks a surprising shift, as the last major entry, Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge, was released back in 2012. The resurgence of Ninja Gaiden could signal a pivotal moment for the gaming industry, potentially reviving the genre of old-school 3D action games that have been overshadowed by the dominance of Soulslike titles in recent years.

Historically, games like Ninja Gaiden, Devil May Cry, and the original God of War series defined the action genre. However, the rise of FromSoftware's titles such as Dark Souls, Bloodborne, and Elden Ring has shifted the focus. While we appreciate the depth and challenge of Soulslike games, the action genre needs a balance, and Ninja Gaiden's return could be the catalyst for this much-needed equilibrium.

The Ninja Gaiden series has long been widely considered the epitome of action gaming. The 2004 reboot on the original Xbox transformed the series from its 2D roots into a 3D masterpiece, celebrated for its smooth gameplay, fluid animations, and intense difficulty. While other hack-and-slash games like Devil May Cry were known for their challenge, Ninja Gaiden set itself apart with its relentless difficulty, famously exemplified by the first boss, Murai, who tested players' skills right from the start.

Despite its steep learning curve, Ninja Gaiden's difficulty is fair, rooted in player error rather than unfair game mechanics. Mastering the game involves understanding the rhythm of combat, a delicate balance of movement, defense, and counter-attacks. From the iconic Izuna Drop to the powerful Ultimate Techniques and a variety of weapon combos, players have the tools needed to overcome the game's challenges.

Ninja Gaiden's influence on the gaming community is undeniable. Its brutal challenge and the satisfaction of conquering its hardest settings paved the way for the Soulslike phenomenon. The series' demand for mechanical mastery inspired FromSoftware and others to create an entire subgenre. However, the overwhelming success of Soulslike games may have overshadowed other action game styles, leaving a gap in the market that Ninja Gaiden's return aims to fill.

Follow the Leader

The timing of Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2's release in 2009, alongside Demon’s Souls, was no coincidence. Demon’s Souls received strong reviews and set the stage for Dark Souls in 2011, which is often hailed as one of the greatest video games ever made, including by IGN. As Ninja Gaiden 3 and its rerelease Razor’s Edge struggled, Dark Souls and its sequels, along with FromSoftware's subsequent titles like Bloodborne, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, and Elden Ring, dominated the action genre.

The popularity of FromSoftware's mechanics influenced other franchises, such as Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and its sequel Jedi: Survivor, Nioh, and Black Myth: Wukong. While these games are well-received, the dominance of the Soulslike model has left little room for traditional 3D action games. Ninja Gaiden's return after over a decade, alongside the last major Devil May Cry entry in 2019 and the transformed God of War in 2018, highlights the need for variety in the action genre.

Soulslike games are characterized by challenging combat, timing-based dodges and parries, stamina management, customizable builds, and open-ended level design. While FromSoftware's innovation is commendable, the saturation of this style has left gamers craving the unique strengths of character action games, which Ninja Gaiden 2 Black aims to showcase.

The Master Ninja Returns

Ninja Gaiden 2 Black offers a refreshing take on the action genre. With its fast-paced combat, diverse weapon selection, and the return of the original's gore, it stands as the definitive version of Ninja Gaiden 2 for modern platforms. It's an ideal entry point for newcomers and a satisfying experience for veterans, despite some adjustments to difficulty and enemy counts. The original Ninja Gaiden II had technical issues and unbalanced design, but Ninja Gaiden 2 Black strikes a balance, maintaining high difficulty while incorporating additional content from Sigma 2, minus the unpopular statue boss fights.

Ninja Gaiden 4 Screenshots

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The remaster of Ninja Gaiden 2 Black serves as a reminder of what was lost when the genre shifted away from games like Ninja Gaiden and God of War. The late 2000s and early 2010s saw a surge of similar titles, such as Bayonetta, Dante’s Inferno, Darksiders, and even FromSoftware's Ninja Blade. The fast-paced, combo-driven battles and linear level design of these games have become rare, making Ninja Gaiden 2 Black a standout release in recent years.

Playing Ninja Gaiden 2 Black underscores the unique experience of these action games. There's a purity to them, where success depends solely on mastering the game's mechanics without relying on builds, experience points, or stamina bars. It's a direct challenge between player and game, offering a rewarding experience for those who persevere. While Soulslike games will likely continue to thrive, the return of Ninja Gaiden could herald a new era for action games, catering to a diverse audience that appreciates both styles.