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

The 2025 Xbox Developer Direct brought many surprises, but the Ninja Gaiden revival stands out as one of the biggest. This classic action franchise is getting a resurgence with multiple new titles, including Ninja Gaiden 4 and the surprise shadow drop of Ninja Gaiden 2 Black. This marks a significant return for the series, absent from the scene since Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge in 2012 (excluding the Master Collection compilation). This revival could also signal a crucial shift in gaming: the comeback of classic 3D action games after years of Soulslike dominance.

Once, titles like Ninja Gaiden, Devil May Cry, and the original God of War trilogy defined the action genre. However, FromSoftware's Dark Souls, Bloodborne, and Elden Ring largely supplanted this style. While Soulslike games have their merits, the AAA market should embrace both styles, and Ninja Gaiden's return could be the much-needed balance.

A Legacy of Dragons

The Ninja Gaiden series was once considered the epitome of action games. The 2004 Xbox reboot, a departure from its 2D NES roots, instantly became iconic for its fluid gameplay, smooth animation, and brutal difficulty. While other hack-and-slash games existed, Ninja Gaiden stood apart, challenging players from the very first level. The infamous Murai encounter is legendary amongst players.

Despite its difficulty, the challenge is generally fair. Deaths stem from player mistakes and a lack of mastery over combat mechanics—the intricate dance of movement, defense, and counter-attacks. The Izuna Drop, Ultimate Techniques, and diverse weapon combos provide ample tools for overcoming obstacles.

Interestingly, Ninja Gaiden's demanding gameplay foreshadowed the Soulslike phenomenon. The satisfaction of overcoming seemingly insurmountable odds, a core element of Soulslike games, resonated with Ninja Gaiden players who conquered its highest difficulty levels. FromSoftware, and the games it inspired, amplified this aspect, creating an entire subgenre. However, this success may have been too complete, as Soulslike mechanics have dominated action games for over a decade.

Following the Trend

The release of Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 (a widely criticized PS3 port of Ninja Gaiden II) coincided with Demon's Souls in 2009. Demon's Souls, with its strong reviews, paved the way for Dark Souls (2011), a landmark title often cited as one of the greatest video games ever made (including by IGN). While Ninja Gaiden 3 and Razor’s Edge struggled, Dark Souls significantly impacted the action market, spawning sequels and influencing Bloodborne, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, and Elden Ring.

This Soulslike influence spread to other franchises, including Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and its sequel, Team Ninja's Nioh, and Black Myth: Wukong. While Soulslike games aren't inherently flawed, their dominance has stifled the AAA action space, leaving classic 3D action games scarce. Ninja Gaiden's return after a long hiatus, along with DMC5 (2019), and the evolution of God of War (2018), which shifted from fast-paced combat to a more methodical approach, highlights this trend. The new God of War games, while not strictly Soulslike, share similarities.

Soulslike hallmarks—challenging combat focused on timing and parries, stamina management, character builds, open-ended level design, and save points—are recognizable. FromSoftware's use of this model is understandable, but widespread imitation has led to saturation. Ninja Gaiden 2 Black's release offers a chance for the unique strengths of character action games to shine.

The Master Ninja's Return

Ninja Gaiden 2 Black provides a refreshing change. Its lightning-fast combat, diverse weapons, and the return of the original game's gore (absent in Sigma 2) make it the best version on modern hardware, an ideal entry point for newcomers. While veterans might criticize difficulty adjustments and enemy numbers, the original Ninja Gaiden II suffered from technical issues and unbalanced design. Ninja Gaiden 2 Black offers a balanced package, retaining difficulty while adding content from Sigma 2 (excluding unpopular statue boss fights).

This remaster underscores what was lost when similar games ceased being a genre mainstay. Games inspired by Ninja Gaiden and God of War were prevalent in the late 2000s and early 2010s (Bayonetta, Dante's Inferno, Darksiders, and even FromSoftware's Ninja Blade). The frenetic, combo-based combat against numerous enemies and giant bosses in a linear format is a proven formula, yet its popularity waned with the rise of Soulslike games. While similar games exist (Hi-Fi Rush), Ninja Gaiden 2 Black is a significant release from a major developer.

Replaying Ninja Gaiden 2 Black highlights the unique qualities of these action games. There are no shortcuts—no build guides, experience points, or stamina bars to limit gameplay. It's a pure test of skill, demanding mastery of combat mechanics. While Soulslike games remain popular, Ninja Gaiden's return hopefully ushers in a new era for action games, providing enough space for both styles to thrive.

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