The series is known for its "pure, primitive action" and high difficulty, but after a 13-year hiatus, the developers took into account that newcomers would also be playing the game. In an interview, directors Masakazu Hirayama and Yuji Nakano talked about their approach to difficulty settings.
"This is our first action game in over 10 years, and we want everyone to be able to try it—series newcomers, action game newcomers, and experienced players. That's why we've implemented a flexible difficulty system," explains Hirayama.
One such setting is Hero Mode, which doesn't just simplify the game, but offers an "assisted" playthrough with toggleable features like auto-blocks and auto-dodges. The player can, for example, practice defense by turning off auto-dodge, leaving the other assists on, and gradually honing their skills.
"We want players to feel the spirit of Ninja Gaiden, developing their own skills and participating in battles that match their level of mastery," adds Hirayama.
Easy, Normal, and Hard are also available, and can be changed before each chapter. After completing the game, NG+ is available in "Master Ninja" mode, where difficulty settings are unavailable and the challenge is at its strictest.
Nakano emphasizes:
"Easy mode doesn't make the game a cakewalk. We've tuned it so that everyone can experience Ninja Gaiden's signature tough combat."
Ninja Gaiden 4 will be released on October 21, 2025 on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S.
