Ninja Gaiden 4 is scheduled for release next week, but the game has already sparked a wave of discontent. The return of the series has turned into unexpected disputes in the community.
The premiere will take place on October 21, 2025. The new project continues the series after a long break and will be released on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. From the first day of release, the game will appear on Xbox Game Pass.
Problems began when some players received physical copies before the official start. Rumors about plot details leaked online, including one particularly controversial one — Ryu Hayabusa appears in only 20% of the campaign.
According to the ResetEra forum, Ryu is only available in five chapters, and some of them are reduced to battles with bosses. Hayabusa has been the face of the series for many years. "Why bring back Ninja Gaiden if you can't play as Ryu?" fans are indignant.
The main character is now Yakumo, a young warrior who receives five types of weapons during the story and eventually masters Ryu's techniques with the addition of new attacks. Many felt that the developers made him an "improved copy" of the old hero, which devalued the legacy of the series.
Ryu still appears in additional modes — Ninja Trials and Chapter Challenge, but the community considers this a weak consolation. PlatinumGames and Team Ninja are being accused of "losing the spirit of the original."
