The 2025 Xbox Developer Direct brought many surprises, but the Ninja Gaiden revival stands out as one of the biggest. The 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 return for the series, dormant since Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge in 2012 (excluding the Master Collection). This revival also signals a potential shift in the gaming landscape: the comeback 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 have largely supplanted this style. While Soulslike games have their merits, the AAA market should accommodate both styles. The return of Ninja Gaiden could be the much-needed balance for the action genre.
### A Legendary Lineage
The Ninja Gaiden series was once considered the apex of action games. The 2004 Xbox reboot, a departure from its 2D NES origins, instantly became iconic for its fluid gameplay, smooth animation, and brutal difficulty. While other hack-and-slash games existed, Ninja Gaiden stood apart, its difficulty a defining feature. Many players recount their struggles against Murai, the challenging first boss.
Despite its difficulty, the challenge is generally considered fair. Deaths stem from player error, demanding mastery of combat mechanics, movement, defense, and counter-attacks. The Izuna Drop, Ultimate Techniques, and diverse weapon combos provide ample tools for overcoming challenges.
The series' demanding nature foreshadowed the Soulslike movement. Ninja Gaiden's challenging gameplay and the satisfaction of overcoming seemingly insurmountable odds resonate with Soulslike fans. FromSoftware and its imitators refined this demanding gameplay into a subgenre. However, this success may have been detrimental, overshadowing classic 3D action games.
Following the Soulslike Trend
The release of Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 (a PS3 port considered inferior) coincided with Demon's Souls (2009). Demon's Souls, and subsequently Dark Souls (2011), significantly impacted the action game market. While Ninja Gaiden 3 and Razor's Edge struggled, Dark Souls and its sequels, along with Bloodborne, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, and Elden Ring, solidified the Soulslike formula.
This formula influenced many beloved titles, including Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, Jedi: Survivor, Nioh, and Black Myth: Wukong. While the Soulslike model isn't inherently flawed, its dominance has stifled the AAA action space. Ninja Gaiden's return after a long absence, alongside DMC5 (2019) and the evolved God of War (2018), highlights this issue. The newer God of War games, while not strictly Soulslike, share similarities.
Soulslike hallmarks—challenging combat emphasizing timing and parrying, stamina management, character builds, open-ended levels, and save points—are recognizable. While suitable for FromSoftware, widespread imitation has led to genre saturation. Ninja Gaiden 2 Black's release offers a chance for character action games to shine again.
The Master Ninja's Return
Ninja Gaiden 2 Black provides a refreshing take on the action genre. Its fast-paced combat, diverse weapons, and restored gore (absent in Sigma 2) make it the best version of Ninja Gaiden 2 for modern platforms. While some veterans may criticize 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 unpopular statue boss fights).
This remaster showcases the loss of similar games from the action landscape. In the late 2000s and early 2010s, games inspired by Ninja Gaiden and God of War were prevalent (Bayonetta, Dante's Inferno, Darksiders, and even FromSoftware's Ninja Blade). The frenetic, combo-based combat against numerous enemies and large 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 example from a major developer.
Replaying Ninja Gaiden 2 Black emphasizes the unique aspects of these games. There are no shortcuts; no build guides, experience points, or stamina bars to limit gameplay. It's a pure test of skill, demanding mastery of combat. While Soulslike games remain popular, Ninja Gaiden's return hopefully signals a renaissance for classic action games, offering diverse experiences for players.
