《忍者龍劍傳外傳：怒之羈絆》（NINJA GAIDEN: Ragebound）是由The Game Kitchen製作，光榮特庫摩（KOEI TECMO）發行的動作冒險新作，於2025年在7月31日率先在Steam、Nintendo Switch、PS5、PS4、Xbox Series X|S、Xbox One平台推出數位版。而實體版在2025年9月19日的Switch及PS5上市。遊戲定位為《忍者龍劍傳》系列的外傳作品。同樣以疾速戰鬥與硬派動作見長，但這次製作團隊在保留系列經典爽快感的同時，嘗試透過角色與劇情的轉折帶來新的體驗，使它不只是單純的斬殺與挑戰，而是有更多故事層次與情感張力的冒險。

在劇情方面，並非單純延續隼龍的傳奇篇章，而是以「怒之羈絆」為核心主題，講述龍隼（Ryu Hayabusa）前往美國為父親復仇，這時候人類與魔界的界線突然失控，可怕軍隊出現在隼之里。為對抗邪惡力量，隼流忍者新人百舌鳥賢二(Kenji Mozu)與敵對勢力地蜘蛛一族的女忍者九守合作，透過禁忌之術融合雙方的力量，對抗強大的敵人。遊戲中將揭露龍之劍的另一段祕密歷史，並描繪人性在復仇與守護之間的掙扎。隨著劇情推進，將面臨道德抉擇與立場對立，這些選擇會影響故事的最終結局。

操作與玩法方面，延續系列一貫的高速動作風格，強調流暢的連段與精準的閃避判斷。除能使用經典的龍劍與各式忍具外，新加入「怒氣系統」，隨著角色在戰鬥中累積殺戮與傷痛，怒氣值會逐步上升，當爆發後能施展極為強大的「憤怒忍術」，瞬間改變戰局，但同時也會對角色的心智產生副作用，導致某些場景下失去冷靜，甚至影響故事走向。在操作手感上進行最佳化，既能滿足系列老玩家追求挑戰的欲望，又讓新玩家透過難度調整更容易進入狀況。此外，環境互動與立體戰場設計也更為講究，玩家能利用場景中的地形進行連續攻擊或是潛行突襲，增加戰鬥的變化性。

至於市場評價，這款作品在發售後引起廣泛討論。許多系列粉絲讚賞它成功延續《忍者龍劍傳》的硬派精神，戰鬥爽快感依舊無與倫比，尤其是「怒氣系統」帶來的全新策略層次讓戰鬥更加刺激。然而，也有部分玩家認為遊戲難度依舊偏高，即便有新手模式仍需要一定程度的技術，對休閒玩家來說門檻稍高。另外，劇情雖然充滿張力，但部分支線分歧的鋪陳略顯急促，導致某些結局不夠完整。

在PS5平台上，支援最高4K解析度與60fps的流暢表現，並提供「效能模式」與「畫質模式」兩種選擇。效能模式下能保證幾乎全程穩定60fps，即便在場面敵人數量眾多或施展大範圍忍術時，也僅有極少數掉幀情況。畫質模式則以4K HDR 為主，細節表現更為清晰，特別是角色服裝材質、光影變化與血光特效的展現，都讓遊戲的暗黑氛圍更強烈。不僅如此，PS5的DualSense手把也發揮作用，透過自適應扳機與觸覺回饋，讓玩家能感受到武器揮斬、手裡劍投擲甚至忍術爆發時的震動感，提升臨場感。

在Steam版本方面，製作團隊提供更彈性的調整空間。支援最高120fps以及超寬螢幕解析度，對高端PC玩家來說能獲得更高的流暢度與沉浸感。圖像設定包含動態模糊、陰影品質、貼圖細節與抗鋸齒等項目，可依硬體條件自行調整。實際表現上，若使用RTX 40系列顯示卡與高速SSD，能輕鬆在4K + 120fps的配置下運行。遊戲亦內建鍵盤滑鼠與手把雙重支援，其中鍵鼠操作在視角控制與反應速度上相對靈敏，但由於《忍者龍劍傳》系列強調高速連段，多數玩家仍偏好以手把操作來獲得更佳手感。

整體而言，《忍者龍劍傳外傳：怒之羈絆》被視為系列中一次兼具創新與傳承的嘗試，無論是動作表現還是故事敘事，都展現出製作團隊希望讓「忍者龍劍傳」在新世代遊戲市場持續發光的野心。

Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound is a new action-adventure title developed by The Game Kitchen and published by KOEI TECMO. It was first released digitally on July 31, 2025 for Steam, Nintendo Switch, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox One, with physical editions for Switch and PS5 launching on September 19, 2025. Positioned as a spin-off of the Ninja Gaiden series, the game retains the franchise’s signature fast-paced combat and hardcore action, while also introducing deeper narrative elements and character-driven twists. This allows it to go beyond simple slashing and challenge-based gameplay, offering a layered adventure with emotional weight.

In terms of story, the game does not merely extend Ryu Hayabusa’s legendary saga, but instead revolves around the central theme of “Ragebound.” The plot follows Ryu traveling to the United States to avenge his father, only for the boundary between the human world and the demon realm to collapse, unleashing terrifying armies upon the Hayabusa village. To resist these dark forces, Kenji Mozu, a young Hayabusa ninja, reluctantly teams up with Kuju, a kunoichi from the rival Spider Clan. By harnessing a forbidden technique that fuses their powers, they face off against overwhelming enemies. Along the way, a hidden chapter of the Dragon Sword’s history is unveiled, while the narrative explores humanity’s struggle between vengeance and protection. As the story progresses, players encounter moral dilemmas and conflicting loyalties, with their decisions shaping the outcome of the game’s multiple endings.

For gameplay and mechanics, Ragebound builds on the franchise’s trademark high-speed action, emphasizing fluid combos and precise dodge timing. Alongside iconic weapons like the Dragon Sword and various ninja tools, a new Rage System has been introduced. As characters accumulate damage and kills, their rage meter rises; once unleashed, it allows devastating Rage Ninpo techniques capable of turning the tide of battle. However, this also impacts the protagonist’s psyche, causing loss of composure in certain scenes and even influencing story progression. The controls have been optimized to satisfy veteran players seeking tough challenges, while adjustable difficulty settings make it more accessible for newcomers. Environmental interaction and three-dimensional battlefield design further expand combat variety, letting players use terrain for chained attacks or stealth takedowns.

Regarding reception, the game sparked widespread discussion upon release. Many series fans praised its faithful preservation of Ninja Gaiden’s hardcore spirit, with exhilarating combat that remains unmatched. The introduction of the Rage System was lauded for adding strategic depth and tension. However, some players criticized the game for maintaining a steep difficulty curve—despite the inclusion of a beginner mode, a certain level of skill is still required, making it less approachable for casual audiences. Additionally, while the story delivers emotional weight, certain branching routes feel rushed, leading to some endings lacking a sense of completeness.

On the PS5, the game supports up to 4K resolution at 60fps, offering both Performance Mode and Quality Mode. Performance Mode ensures near-consistent 60fps, even during large-scale battles and heavy ninpo effects, with only minor frame drops. Quality Mode prioritizes 4K HDR, delivering sharper details, particularly in character costumes, lighting dynamics, and blood effects, which intensify the game’s dark atmosphere. The DualSense controller further enhances immersion, using adaptive triggers and haptic feedback to simulate weapon slashes, shuriken throws, and explosive ninpo vibrations.

The Steam version provides greater flexibility for customization, supporting up to 120fps and ultra-wide resolutions, allowing high-end PC players to enjoy superior fluidity and immersion. Graphics settings include motion blur, shadow quality, texture detail, and anti-aliasing, all adjustable to hardware capabilities. With RTX 40-series GPUs and SSDs, the game runs smoothly at 4K + 120fps. Both keyboard/mouse and gamepad are supported, with the former offering responsive camera control and precision, though most players prefer a controller for executing smooth combos in line with the series’ fast-action focus.

Overall, Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound is regarded as a bold attempt to both innovate and preserve the series’ identity. With its refined combat mechanics and enriched storytelling, it demonstrates the developers’ ambition to keep Ninja Gaiden relevant and impactful in the new generation of gaming.