Ninja Gaiden 4 (PS5) Evaluate: Dream Collab Leads to Stellar Motion Sport

Crew Ninja and PlatinumGames coming collectively for an motion recreation virtually sounds too good to be true, however that’s precisely what occurred for Ninja Gaiden 4. Removed from the disappointing sequel that was 2012’s Ninja Gaiden 3, the fourth entry in Ryu Hayabusa’s journey is nearly as good because the sequence ever has been. Whether or not you’re a newcomer to the franchise or somebody who performed the traditional 2D Tecmo video games, Ninja Gaiden 4 is a top-notch motion recreation that merely rocks.

One of many massive focuses for Ninja Gaiden 4 is accessibility for newcomers. This manifests from a narrative perspective in getting a brand new protagonist named Yakumo (though Ryu does present up in a while and is playable). This permits for a contemporary batch of abilities, which manifest in a brand new Bloodraven kind that means that you can breakthrough enemy defenses and a fight model that’s distinctive but undeniably looks like Ninja Gaiden.

What has at all times set Ninja Gaiden other than different character-action video games is how methodical you need to be in the way you select to method fights. That layer of technique remains to be right here, though fight feels extra trendy than ever earlier than. The secret’s to at all times keep on the assault, as invincibility frames in sure abilities could be the distinction between succeeding and shedding an encounter. Blocking and parrying can be necessary, however you at all times need to be shifting and unleashing assaults. From performing executions on downed but nonetheless lethal enemies to utilizing your blood arts to handle a crowd of foes, the fights by no means cease being satisfying, even when there have been often some janky camerawork that led to some off-screen hits.

The levels, which characteristic a beautiful cyberpunk aesthetic and the beautiful sights of Tokyo, culminates in some stellar boss fights that may actually check gamers to place all their abilities collectively. Mastering Yakumo’s completely different weapons, particularly his charged Final Method assault, was key to survival. Because you’re consistently unlocking new talents and weapon abilities, you need to hold enhancing upon your gameplay model to maintain up with the more durable enemies fairly than get caught right into a loop of simply doing what labored at first. It’s a way more rewarding and layered recreation because of this.

Crew Ninja and PlatinumGames additionally do a terrific job of rewarding gamers for exploring. Whereas ranges are nonetheless principally linear, the sport consistently rewards gamers that poke round corners and search for methods to make use of their raven gear with chests and hidden challenges. There’s even non-obligatory goals throughout missions which you could full. Anytime I veered off the crushed path, I used to be capable of finding one thing price my time, so be certain to be looking out for non-obligatory areas fairly than simply dashing forward to the subsequent goal.

Whereas the sequence is simply as tough and rewarding as previous entries, that is additionally probably the most accessible recreation within the sequence. That includes three issue settings to select from initially (and a Grasp Ninja issue to unlock), gamers may also use non-obligatory aids that vary from auto block and evade to a useful vacation spot indicator that you simply set off by holding in the precise stick. Throw in a coaching mode that means that you can get used to the entire new talents you may unlock within the recreation, and also you’ve bought a terrific entry for these new to the sequence with out sacrificing something that longtime followers have come to anticipate.

Ninja Gaiden 4 can be one other nice cause to personal a PlayStation 5 Professional. There are 4 efficiency modes, with a stellar 120 FPS mode that not often drops any frames being the standout for gameplay. There’s additionally a PS5 Professional unique mode — Prioritize Body Price (Professional), which runs at 60 FPS however with enhanced graphics, together with normal body fee and backbone choices. This quantity of alternative is the precise approach to do issues, particularly as some PS5 Professional enhanced video games have given Professional homeowners no alternative in any respect.

Ninja Gaiden 4 (PS5) Evaluate: Remaining Verdict

Ninja Gaiden 4 is a real return to kind for Crew Ninja’s signature sequence. That includes one of the best motion you’ll discover in a recreation this 12 months and a terrific new character in Yakumo, it is a worthy successor to Ninja Gaiden II and avoids the various missteps that plagued 3. Positioned properly amongst Crew Ninja and PlatinumGames’ finest efforts, Ninja Gaiden 4 absolutely lives as much as the hype and is a complete blast.

Disclosure: The writer supplied a digital copy for our Ninja Gaiden 4 PS5 overview. Reviewed on model 1.001.000.