Ninja Gaiden 4: The Most Accessible—Or Brutal—Entry Yet Team Ninja’s latest gives players the choice between cinematic ease and controller-breaking difficulty

Before Soulslikes became the benchmark for punishing gameplay, Ninja Gaiden was already infamous for testing the limits of player reflexes. With Ninja Gaiden 4, Team Ninja is offering a wider spectrum of difficulty than ever before—ranging from approachable settings for newcomers to near-impossible challenges for series veterans.

🎮 Core Difficulty Options

At launch, players will be able to choose between:

Hero Mode – Designed for newcomers, this setting can be customized in the menu. With automatic blocking, dodging, healing, and movement options, it allows players to focus entirely on the thrill of combat as Ryu Hayabusa and Yakumo. Each assist can be toggled on or off at any point in the campaign.
Normal Mode – A balanced option for those seeking the classic Ninja Gaiden experience.
Hard Mode – For players who want enemies that hit harder, appear more frequently, and punish mistakes.

This range makes Ninja Gaiden 4 approachable for first-timers while still providing a challenge for action game veterans.

🔓 Unlockable Master Ninja Mode

Once the main campaign has been cleared, the legendary Master Ninja Mode becomes available. This mode drastically increases the challenge:

One wrong move could mean instant death.
Stronger enemies spawn earlier and attack from blind spots.
Rocket launcher soldiers are positioned before checkpoints, forcing players to stay sharp at all times.

Unlike other modes, difficulty cannot be changed mid-campaign—meaning once you choose Master Ninja, you’re locked in for the ride.

☠️ Death Wish: The Ultimate Challenge

For those who crave the ultimate test, Death Wish Mode sits at the top. The objective? Survive a deathless run through the entire game. To prepare, players can take advantage of a dedicated training mode designed to sharpen reflexes and improve mastery of combat mechanics.

📅 Release Date & Platforms

Ninja Gaiden 4 launches on October 21, 2025 for:

PC
Xbox Series X|S (including Game Pass)
PlayStation 5 (digital & physical editions available)

⚔️ Final Thoughts

Ninja Gaiden 4 is shaping up to be the most versatile entry in the series—welcoming newcomers with assist-heavy gameplay while giving veterans brutal modes designed to break even the most disciplined ninjas. Whether you want to slice through enemies with ease or prove yourself in a deathless run, this October will put your skills to the test.