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

The 2025 Xbox Developer Direct brought many surprises, but the Ninja Gaiden revival stands out. This classic action franchise is getting a resurgence with multiple new titles, including Ninja Gaiden 4 and the surprise release of Ninja Gaiden 2 Black. This marks a significant shift for the series, dormant since Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge in 2012 (excluding the Master Collection). More importantly, it signals a potential turning point for 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 the action genre. However, FromSoftware's Dark Souls, Bloodborne, and Elden Ring shifted the landscape. While Soulslike games are excellent, the AAA market should accommodate diverse styles. Ninja Gaiden's return could be the much-needed balance.

### A Legacy of Dragons

The Ninja Gaiden series was once considered the epitome of action games. The 2004 Xbox reboot, a departure from its 2D NES roots, established Ryu Hayabusa's adventures with fluid gameplay, stunning animation, and brutal difficulty. While other hack-and-slash games existed, Ninja Gaiden's challenge was unmatched, famously exemplified by the first boss, Murai.

Despite its difficulty, the challenge is generally fair. Deaths result 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 for success. This demanding gameplay, ironically, foreshadowed the Soulslike ethos – the satisfaction of overcoming seemingly insurmountable odds. Ninja Gaiden's influence on the Soulslike subgenre is undeniable, but perhaps too successful, as Soulslike mechanics have arguably oversaturated the action game market.

Following the Soulslike Trend

Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2, a widely criticized PS3 port, coincided with Demon's Souls (2009). Demon's Souls and its successor, Dark Souls (2011), significantly impacted the action genre. While Ninja Gaiden 3 and Razor’s Edge faltered, Dark Souls flourished, spawning sequels and influencing titles like Bloodborne, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, and Elden Ring.

This Soulslike influence spread to other franchises, including Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, Nioh, and Black Myth: Wukong. While Soulslike games are popular, their prevalence has diminished the presence of classic 3D action games. Ninja Gaiden's return after a long absence, along with DMC5 (2019) and the evolved God of War (2018), which adopted elements of the Soulslike formula, highlights this shift.

If you had to choose between Soulslikes and traditional action games like Ninja Gaiden, which would you pick?

I'm a Ninja Gaiden, Devil May Cry kinda personSoulslikes, every single timeI don't really care for eitherAnswerSee ResultsSoulslike hallmarks – timed dodges, parries, stamina management, character builds, open levels, and save points – are effective, but their widespread adoption has led to market saturation. Ninja Gaiden's return offers a refreshing alternative.

The Master Ninja's Comeback

Ninja Gaiden 2 Black provides a welcome change. Its fast-paced combat, diverse weapons, and restored gore (absent in Sigma 2) make it the best version on modern hardware. While some veterans might critique the difficulty adjustments, the original Ninja Gaiden II suffered from technical issues and unbalanced design. Ninja Gaiden 2 Black strikes a balance, retaining difficulty and gore while incorporating additional content (excluding disliked statue boss fights).

Ninja Gaiden 4 Screenshots

19 ImagesThis remaster highlights the loss of similar games. The late 2000s and early 2010s saw many Ninja Gaiden/ God of War inspired titles (Bayonetta, Dante's Inferno, Darksiders, even Ninja Blade). The frenetic, combo-driven combat against numerous enemies and giant bosses in a linear format is a proven formula, surprisingly overshadowed by the Soulslike model. While similar games exist (Hi-Fi Rush), Ninja Gaiden 2 Black is a significant release from a major developer.

Ninja Gaiden 2 Black showcases the unique qualities of its genre. There are no shortcuts; no build guides, experience points, or stamina limitations. It's a pure test of skill, demanding mastery of the provided tools. While Soulslike games remain popular, Ninja Gaiden's return hopefully ushers in a new era for action games, providing a space for both styles to thrive.