Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 82 | 200 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 88% | 82 | 1000 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | 85 | 280 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 81% | 75 | 1545 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: since the last significant patch (Mar 4, 2026) · 300 reviews sampled · 1545 total reviews in window · weighted 218.9 up / 36.8 down · computed 2h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (173)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 80
“Ninja Gaiden 4 is a full-blooded action game that delivers plenty of adrenaline from overcoming tough challenges. Even in light of a few missteps, it cannot be denied that PlatinumGames has created a strong representative of a heavily neglected genre.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Ninja Gaiden 4 offered an enjoyable and challenging experience, maintaining the series' identity for which it has been famous for years. The fast combat style with new ideas makes every battle exciting, and the stunning graphics add visual depth to the experience. Despite the lack of environmental variety, the high quality compensated for that. I did not face any technical issues or bugs during play, which made my experience smooth and enjoyable from beginning to end. The game combined the amazing difficulty adored by long-time fans of the series and the famous gore in the series' history, along with stunning technical performance and a distinctive graphical level.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Ninja Gaiden 4 cannot be called a return to the roots of Tomonobu Itagaki. However, PlatinumGames has created a bloody slasher with complex and interesting bosses in memorable settings.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“The newest entry into the Ninja Gaiden series aims to be accessible to new players by setting the established narrative aside. Gameplay is king here, and Platinum Games show once again that they know how to make arena brawlers. However, the game as a whole is dragged down by the constant reuse of basic enemies. Pacing takes a huge hit when you have to fight the same enemies for an hour after they have already become stale and boring.”
read full review ↗ - 80
- 70
“Ninja Gaiden 4’s gruesome, lightning-fast trials respectably preserve and build upon the core of its ancestors. It should also introduce a whole new audience of challenge-seeking players to the joys of ninja limb-lopping and the pride of overcoming a blockbuster game that seems to give the player almost no quarter, even as its robust movement and deeply customizable fighting styles convey sleek, ruthless empowerment. It’s not perfect, but that sheer speed and aggression still builds a convincing case for what Team Ninja’s heroes offer that Dante and Kratos do not.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Ninja Gaiden 4 is a solid return to the series that honors its roots while not being afraid to experiment. While its story fizzles out quickly, the levels are a bit too bland, and the bosses are sometimes over the top, the game excels when it comes to what matters most: the combat system itself. It’s brutal, stylish, challenging, and addictive. As a newcomer to the series, I’m thrilled and, at the same time, motivated to go back and play the previous installments so I can fully enjoy this bloody dance with the full context of the series’ history.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“The debut of a brand new Ninja Gaiden game after more than a decade has created great expectations in me, even more so, because this time it was a Platinum Games production. But such a long break could have created an image that is simply unrealistic. The finished product has a great combat system, but making Ryu a guest in his own game is a big problem.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“Let’s not mince words: after more than a decade of dormancy, seeing Ninja Gaiden return with this much confidence feels triumphant.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“Ninja Gaiden 4 marks a bold return, with fast-paced and bloody action alongside the new protagonist, Yakumo. It has fluid combat, varied weapons, and an electrifying cyberpunk Tokyo setting. While the rehashed Ryu levels and some frustrating platforming sections detract from the experience, its stylish visuals, satisfying gameplay, and solid replay value make it a standout action game in 2025.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“Ninja Gaiden 4 is exactly the kind of comeback I wanted to see. It honors the series’ brutal legacy while confidently trying something new. The collaboration with PlatinumGames gives the combat a fluid, cinematic energy that makes every fight feel alive.”
read full review ↗ - 83
“When two masters of the action genre join forces, the result is something rare and extraordinary: an experience that can redefine the genre and herald the triumphant return of a timeless legend. Ninja Gaiden 4 embodies precisely this, the triumphant revival of a historic franchise, where Team Ninja’s surgical precision merges seamlessly with PlatinumGames’ boundless inventiveness, delivering a gameplay experience that is intricate, profound, and impeccably balanced. Surpassing this standard of excellence will be the true test for anyone bold enough to pick up the mantle. Ninja Gaiden has returned, more powerful, more relentless, and more ambitious than ever, ready to drag players, sword in hand, into a legendary and unforgettable adventure.”
read full review ↗
Gamepressure
Eternal Games
GameMAG
INDIANTVCZ
3DNews
Slant Magazine
Gaming Professors
GRYOnline.pl
Seasoned Gaming
Mashable
ani-game.com
Indie Games Devel…and 161 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- NINJA GAIDEN 4: The Two Masters UpdateMar 4, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- NINJA GAIDEN 4 UpdateDec 17, 2025
- NINJA GAIDEN 4 UpdateOct 29, 2025