Ninja Gaiden’s Revival is the Perfect Antidote to the Soulslike Phenomenon

The 2025 Xbox Developer Direct brought a wave of excitement, especially with the announcement of the revival of the Ninja Gaiden series. Fans were thrilled to learn about the upcoming releases, including Ninja Gaiden 4 and the immediate release of Ninja Gaiden 2 Black, which was shadow dropped right after the event. This resurgence marks a significant shift for the franchise, which hasn't seen a new entry since Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge in 2012, aside from the Ninja Gaiden: Master Collection. The return of Ninja Gaiden could signal a crucial turning point for the gaming industry, bringing back the classic 3D action games that have been overshadowed by the dominance of Soulslike titles.

In the past, the action genre was dominated by games like Ninja Gaiden, Devil May Cry, and the original God of War series. However, the rise of FromSoftware's Dark Souls, Bloodborne, and Elden Ring has shifted the focus. While we appreciate the depth and challenge of Soulslike games, there's a clear need for diversity in the AAA marketplace. The return of Ninja Gaiden could help restore balance to the action genre.

The Ninja Gaiden series has long been widely considered the epitome of action gaming. The 2004 relaunch on the original Xbox transformed the series from its 2D platforming roots on the NES into a new era of 3D action. Ryu Hayabusa's adventures became legendary for their 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 punishing yet fair difficulty. The game's first boss, Murai, became infamous for his nunchaku mastery, often leaving players frustrated but determined to overcome the challenge.

Despite occasional camera issues leading to off-screen attacks, Ninja Gaiden's difficulty is rooted in player skill rather than unfair mechanics. The game demands a mastery of combat rhythms, involving precise movement, defense, and counter-attacks. Techniques like the Izuna Drop and Ultimate Techniques, along with a variety of combos for each weapon, provide players with the tools needed to conquer the game's challenges. The dedication required to master Ninja Gaiden's hardest settings has influenced the mindset of Soulslike fans, who relish the satisfaction of overcoming seemingly impossible odds. Ninja Gaiden's influence on the Soulslike genre is undeniable, yet the dominance of this style may have overshadowed other action game formats.

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The release of Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 in 2009 coincided with the emergence of Demon’s Souls, marking a turning point for action games. Demon’s Souls received strong reviews and paved the way for Dark Souls in 2011, which has been 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 captured the market. FromSoftware's subsequent titles, including Bloodborne, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, and Elden Ring, further refined this style.

The popularity of FromSoftware’s mechanics influenced other franchises like Respawn Entertainment’s Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and Jedi: Survivor, Team Ninja’s Nioh, and Game Science’s Black Myth: Wukong. While these games are well-received, the prevalence of the Soulslike model has limited the variety in the AAA action space. The last major releases in the classic 3D action genre were Devil May Cry 5 in 2019 and the revamped God of War in 2018, which shifted towards a slower, more methodical combat style. The return of Ninja Gaiden with Ninja Gaiden 2 Black offers a chance for the unique strengths of character action games to shine once more.

The Master Ninja Returns

Ninja Gaiden 2 Black revitalizes the action genre with its fast-paced combat, diverse weapons, and the return of the original's blood and gore, elements that were toned down in the Sigma version. This remaster is the definitive version of Ninja Gaiden 2, offering a perfect entry point for newcomers while satisfying veterans. Although some might criticize the changes in difficulty and enemy counts, Ninja Gaiden 2 Black strikes a balance by maintaining a high level of challenge and restoring the gore while retaining much of the additional content from Sigma 2, minus the unpopular statue boss fights.

Ninja Gaiden 4 Screenshots

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Ninja Gaiden 2 Black serves as a reminder of the action genre's past glory. The late 2000s and early 2010s saw a surge of games inspired by Ninja Gaiden and God of War, such as Bayonetta, Dante’s Inferno, Darksiders, and even FromSoftware’s Ninja Blade. These games featured fast-paced, combo-driven battles against numerous enemies and epic bosses within a linear structure. Although games like Hi-Fi Rush in 2023 have kept the spirit alive, Ninja Gaiden 2 Black stands out as a major release in this style.

Playing Ninja Gaiden 2 Black underscores the unique purity of classic action games. There are no shortcuts or builds to exploit; it's purely about mastering the combat system with the tools provided. The game's relentless challenge is a testament to the skill required to succeed, offering a stark contrast to the more structured progression of Soulslike games. While Soulslike games are likely to remain popular, the return of Ninja Gaiden could herald a new era for action games, providing a diverse gaming landscape that caters to a broader audience.