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 as one of the biggest. This classic action franchise is getting a resurgence with multiple new titles, including Ninja Gaiden 4 and the surprise shadow drop of Ninja Gaiden 2 Black. This marks a significant return for the series, absent from the scene since Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge in 2012 (excluding the Master Collection). This comeback could also signal a crucial shift in gaming: the resurgence 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 largely supplanted this style. While Soulslike games are enjoyable, the AAA market should accommodate both styles. Ninja Gaiden's return could provide the much-needed balance.

### A Legacy of Dragons

The Ninja Gaiden series was once considered the apex of action games. The 2004 Xbox reboot, a departure from its 2D NES roots, instantly became iconic for its fluid gameplay, smooth animation, and brutal difficulty. While other hack-and-slash games existed, Ninja Gaiden stood apart, challenging players from the very first level. Many remember the infamous Murai boss fight.

Despite the difficulty, the challenge is largely fair. Deaths result 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 to overcome obstacles.

This demanding gameplay, ironically, foreshadowed the Soulslike phenomenon. The satisfaction of overcoming seemingly insurmountable odds, a core element of Ninja Gaiden's appeal, became a defining feature of the Soulslike community. FromSoftware, and the games it inspired, amplified this aspect, creating an entire subgenre. However, this success may have been excessive, as Soulslike mechanics have saturated the action game market.

Following the Trend

Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2, a widely criticized PS3 port, coincided with Demon's Souls (2009). Demon's Souls received strong reviews, paving the way for the landmark Dark Souls (2011). While Ninja Gaiden 3 and Razor's Edge struggled, Dark Souls gained significant traction, spawning sequels and influencing Bloodborne, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, and Elden Ring.

This Soulslike influence extended to other franchises like Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, Jedi: Survivor, Nioh, and Black Myth: Wukong. While these games are generally well-received, the Soulslike formula has arguably stifled innovation in AAA action games. Ninja Gaiden's return, after over a decade, is a welcome change. DMC5 (2019) was the last major Devil May Cry entry, and the newer God of War games, while excellent, have shifted away from their predecessors' fast-paced combat.

Soulslike hallmarks—challenging combat emphasizing timing, stamina management, character builds, open-world design, and save points—are recognizable. While suitable for FromSoftware, the widespread adoption has led to an oversaturation of this style. Ninja Gaiden 2 Black's release allows the strengths of character action games to shine again.

The Master Ninja's Return

Ninja Gaiden 2 Black offers a refreshing change. The fast-paced combat, weapon variety, and restored gore (absent from Sigma 2) make it the best version on modern hardware. While some veterans may critique the difficulty and enemy 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 extra content from Sigma 2 (excluding the unpopular statue boss fights).

This remaster highlights the loss of similar games. 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 giant bosses in a linear format has become rare. While games like Hi-Fi Rush (2023) share similar mechanics, Ninja Gaiden 2 Black is a significant release from a major developer.

Replaying Ninja Gaiden 2 Black emphasizes the unique qualities of these action 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 or facing repeated failure. While Soulslike games remain popular, Ninja Gaiden's return hopefully ushers in a new era for action games, offering a diverse landscape for players.

Ninja Gaiden 4 Screenshots

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