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

The 2025 Xbox Developer Direct event brought a thrilling surprise for fans of action gaming with the announcement of the Ninja Gaiden series revival. Among the exciting reveals were Ninja Gaiden 4 and the immediate release of Ninja Gaiden 2 Black, which became available right after the event. This marks a significant shift for the franchise, which has been dormant since the release of Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge in 2012, aside from the Ninja Gaiden: Master Collection. This revival is not just a nostalgic return but a potential turning point for the action genre, signaling a resurgence of classic 3D action games that have been overshadowed by the dominance of Soulslike titles in recent years.

In the past, action games like Ninja Gaiden, Devil May Cry, and the original God of War series defined the genre. However, the rise of FromSoftware's Dark Souls, Bloodborne, and Elden Ring has shifted the focus. While Soulslike games have their merits, there is a clear need for diversity in the AAA action market. The return of Ninja Gaiden could be the catalyst needed to rebalance the scales and bring back the focus on traditional action gaming.

The Ninja Gaiden series has long been widely considered the epitome of action gaming. The 2004 reboot on the original Xbox transformed the series from its 2D platforming roots into a new era with Ryu Hayabusa’s adventures becoming iconic for their smooth gameplay, fluid animations, and intense difficulty. While other hack and slash games like Devil May Cry were known for their challenge, Ninja Gaiden set itself apart with its relentless difficulty, famously exemplified by the first boss, Murai, who often left players feeling defeated before they could even progress.

Despite its challenging nature, Ninja Gaiden's difficulty is fair, stemming from player errors and the need to master the game's combat rhythm. The game offers a rich set of tools, from the iconic Izuna Drop to various combos across different weapons, allowing players to overcome its challenges. The influence of Ninja Gaiden's demanding gameplay can be seen in the Soulslike community, where players revel in overcoming seemingly impossible odds. Ninja Gaiden's legacy as a forerunner to this phenomenon is undeniable, yet its genre has been overshadowed by the Soulslike model that it helped inspire.

Follow the Leader

The release of Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 on the PS3 in 2009, considered inferior to its original version and the beginning of the series' decline, coincided with the emergence of Demon’s Souls. Demon’s Souls received strong reviews and paved the way for Dark Souls in 2011, a game hailed as one of the greatest ever made, including by IGN. As Ninja Gaiden 3 and its re-release Razor’s Edge struggled, Dark Souls and its sequels, along with FromSoftware's subsequent titles like Bloodborne, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, and Elden Ring, dominated the action gaming landscape.

The widespread adoption of FromSoftware’s mechanics influenced other franchises, including Respawn Entertainment’s Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and Jedi: Survivor, Team Ninja’s Nioh, and Game Science’s Black Myth: Wukong. While these games are well-received, the saturation of Soulslike mechanics has left little room for classic 3D action games. Ninja Gaiden's return, alongside the 2019 release of Devil May Cry 5 and the 2018 revival of God of War, which shifted towards a more Soulslike approach, highlights the need for a resurgence of traditional action games. The hallmarks of Soulslike games—timing-based combat, stamina management, character builds, and large open-ended levels—have become too prevalent, overshadowing the fast-paced, linear action of games like Ninja Gaiden.

The Master Ninja Returns

Ninja Gaiden 2 Black's release breathes new life into the action genre. With its fast-paced combat, diverse weapon selection, and the restoration of the original's gore, it offers the definitive version of Ninja Gaiden 2 for modern platforms. This version strikes a balance between maintaining the high difficulty and adding new content, making it an ideal entry point for newcomers while still appealing to veterans despite some adjustments in difficulty and enemy numbers.

Ninja Gaiden 4 Screenshots

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This remaster serves as a reminder of the unique experience provided by games like Ninja Gaiden, which were once prevalent in the late 2000s and early 2010s. Titles such as PlatinumGames’ Bayonetta, Visceral Games’ Dante’s Inferno, and Vigil Games’ Darksiders showcased the frenetic, combo-based action that has become less common in the wake of the Soulslike surge. While games like Hi-Fi Rush continue to explore similar mechanics, Ninja Gaiden 2 Black stands out as a significant release from a major developer in recent years.

Playing Ninja Gaiden 2 Black underscores the purity of traditional action games, where success relies solely on mastering the game's mechanics without reliance on builds, experience points, or stamina management. It's a direct challenge between player and game, fostering a sense of accomplishment that is unique to this genre. While Soulslike games will likely remain popular, the return of Ninja Gaiden could herald a new era for action gaming, appealing to fans who crave the thrill of mastering pure, unadulterated combat.