《忍者龍劍傳 4》是Team Ninja睽違13年後推出的系列全新正統續作，劇情設定於近未來的東京，一個被惡魔侵襲、永夜與冷雨籠罩的城市。主角不再只是系列標誌人物「隼龍（Ryu Hayabusa）」，而是加入新世代忍者「八雲（Yakumo）」，他是「渡鴉一族」的年輕忍者，擁有操控血液化為武器的詭異力量「血鴉之術」。

故事講述在惡魔再度復甦、傳說中「暗黑龍」現身的危機之下，八雲與隼龍攜手面對人類與忍者命運的抉擇。八雲在旅途中成長為真正的忍者，而隼龍則以師者身份指導與參戰，雙主角交錯敘事帶來豐富的情感層次與傳承感。

劇情結合科幻與東洋妖異美學，背景從東京高樓、神社遺跡、異界空間到地底惡魔之都，形成極具視覺衝擊與敘事張力的世界觀，讓玩家在戰鬥之餘也能投入角色命運與背景神話中。

在操作上延續系列高速、硬派的近戰系統，同時融合現代化動作設計，讓戰鬥節奏更加流暢與爽快。支援雙主角操作，隼龍以老練沉穩的劍技與氣刃攻擊為主，八雲則擅長高速突刺與遠距離血術，可依戰況自由切換角色。

操作方面引入多項現代動作要素，包括滑行、牆面跳躍、鉤索突擊與軌道衝刺等動作，讓玩家在戰鬥與探索時能體驗更立體的空間運用。此外，《血鴉形態》讓八雲可短時間內強化身體與招式，達成快速斬殺或範圍制敵效果。

戰鬥系統保留原作「高風險高報酬」的特性：敵人極為致命、失誤幾乎難以挽救，但若能熟練格擋、迴避、反擊節奏，則能流暢斬殺數十敵人如行雲流水。新加入的「忍法輪印系統」可讓玩家自訂忍術與被動技能，進一步提升個人化策略。遊戲也支援即時武器切換與技能連鎖，在保持系列難度與爽感的同時，大幅提升系統深度與可玩性。

使用Unreal Engine 5打造，為PS5、Xbox Series X|S與PC平台量身打造，提供60FPS 穩定幀率與4K級畫面品質。東京場景結合未來科幻與東方妖氣，街道被雷雨與紅月照亮，濕滑反光與粒子特效營造出強烈的暴力詩意。角色建模細緻，服裝、刀痕與傷口都具有高度還原度；戰鬥過程血花四濺，武器擊中感十足。環境物件多數可破壞，搭配震動回饋與3D音效營造沉浸感。同時強化載入速度，無論是場景切換還是死亡重生都極快回應，讓高強度戰鬥不中斷。

於2025年初正式發表，2025年10月21日上市，支援 Xbox Game Pass 首日加入，消息一出即引起玩家社群熱議。知名媒體如GamesRadar、Game Informer、Polygon 等一致讚賞其「忠實回歸原點卻不守舊」，在保有Ninja Gaiden傳統高難度與硬派風格的基礎上，引入更現代化的遊戲節奏與視覺演出，成功吸引新玩家與老粉絲。

玩家普遍對新主角八雲反應良好，認為其形象鮮明、技能有趣，不只是替代隼龍，而是帶來新世代的可能性；而老玩家則對隼龍依舊維持神級操作深感滿足。Reddit 社群更讚稱：「八雲是未來，但隼龍仍是傳奇。」不過，也有部分聲音擔心難度依然過高、入門門檻不低，尤其是面對新玩家可能有學習曲線。不過開發團隊表示，他們有意保留這種「老派硬派」，讓Ninja Gaiden回歸原初精神。

《忍者龍劍傳 4》是Team Ninja向玩家與動作遊戲傳統致上的誠意之作。它不是單純的復刻，而是以現代遊戲語彙重塑經典，讓新舊世代玩家都能找到屬於自己的挑戰與熱血。這場忍者的傳承與進化，成為2025年最具代表性的動作冒險遊戲之一。

Ninja Gaiden 4 is Team Ninja’s long-awaited return to the legendary series, marking the first mainline installment in 13 years. Set in a near-future Tokyo—a city consumed by eternal night, cold rain, and demonic invasion—the game introduces not only the iconic Ryu Hayabusa but also a new-generation ninja named Yakumo, a young warrior from the "Raven Clan" who wields a mysterious power known as the Blood Raven Technique, enabling him to weaponize his own blood.

The story unfolds against the backdrop of a Tokyo plagued by the "Black Rot Rain." As demons reemerge and the mythical Dark Dragon returns, Yakumo and Ryu must join forces to confront the fate of both humanity and the ninja world. Through their intertwined journeys, Yakumo matures into a true ninja, while Ryu steps into a mentor role, providing both guidance and support in battle. This dual-protagonist approach adds rich emotional depth and a strong sense of generational legacy.

The narrative combines futuristic sci-fi elements with eerie Eastern mysticism, taking players from Tokyo’s towering skyscrapers and forgotten shrines to interdimensional rifts and underground demon cities. The world design is visually striking and narratively compelling, allowing players to immerse themselves not just in the action, but in the myth and fate of the characters.

Gameplay-wise, Ninja Gaiden 4 retains the series' signature fast-paced, brutal melee combat while integrating modern action mechanics for smoother and more dynamic gameplay. Players can switch freely between the two protagonists: Ryu, with his seasoned swordsmanship and energy blade attacks, and Yakumo, who specializes in high-speed thrusts and ranged blood magic.

The game introduces a host of new movement options, including sliding, wall-running, grappling hook strikes, and rail dashes, enabling a much more three-dimensional approach to both exploration and combat. Yakumo also has access to the Blood Raven Form, a temporary transformation that boosts his physical prowess and attack speed, perfect for rapid kills and area-of-effect assaults.

The combat system stays true to the franchise’s “high risk, high reward” philosophy: enemies are deadly, and mistakes are costly. But with mastery of blocks, dodges, and counters, players can execute devastating combos that slice through dozens of foes in one fluid motion. A newly added Ninpo Sigil System allows players to customize their ninja arts and passive abilities, adding a layer of tactical personalization.

Weapon switching and skill chaining are now seamless and instantaneous, preserving the franchise’s signature difficulty while significantly expanding its strategic depth and responsiveness.

Built in Unreal Engine 5, the game is optimized for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, delivering stable 60FPS performance and stunning 4K visuals. Tokyo is portrayed with a mix of cyberpunk futurism and supernatural dread—its rain-soaked streets bathed in red moonlight and flashing lightning, rendered with detailed reflections and dramatic particle effects that create a poetic, violent atmosphere.

Character models are richly detailed, with visible cuts, wounds, and intricately rendered costumes. Combat is intense, with blood effects and impact feedback that heighten immersion. Most environments are destructible, and the game leverages haptic feedback and 3D audio to enhance the sensory experience. Load times are near-instantaneous, keeping the momentum of high-intensity battles uninterrupted.

The game was officially announced in early 2025 and is scheduled to launch on October 21, 2025, with Day One support on Xbox Game Pass. The reveal immediately sparked excitement across the gaming community.

Major outlets such as GamesRadar, Game Informer, and Polygon praised the game as a “faithful return to roots without falling into nostalgia,” commending how it preserves the high difficulty and hardcore spirit of Ninja Gaiden while introducing a modernized combat flow and visual storytelling that appeal to both veterans and newcomers.

Fans have responded positively to the new protagonist Yakumo, noting his sharp design and innovative skill set—not just as a replacement for Ryu, but as a torchbearer for the next generation. Longtime players are equally thrilled to see Ryu maintain his legendary status with refined mechanics. Reddit communities have dubbed him "the future," while asserting, “Ryu is still the legend.”

However, some concerns remain about the game’s high difficulty curve, which could pose a challenge for newer players. Team Ninja, however, has openly stated their commitment to preserving the “old-school toughness” that defines the franchise’s identity.

In conclusion, Ninja Gaiden 4 is not merely a nostalgic return, but a bold reimagining of a beloved classic. Team Ninja has crafted a sincere tribute to fans and the legacy of action games, merging cutting-edge technology with deep respect for tradition. For both veterans and new warriors, this tale of ninja evolution and inheritance is poised to be one of the most iconic action-adventure experiences of 2025.