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

The 2025 Xbox Developer Direct brought many exciting announcements, but the Ninja Gaiden revival stands out as a major highlight. The classic action franchise is getting a resurgence with multiple new titles, including Ninja Gaiden 4 and the surprise release of Ninja Gaiden 2 Black. This marks a significant shift for the series, dormant since Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge in 2012 (excluding the Master Collection). More importantly, it signals a potential turning point for gaming: the return of classic 3D action games after a long period dominated by Soulslike titles.

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

### 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 origins, instantly became iconic for its fluid gameplay, smooth animations, and punishing difficulty. While other hack-and-slash games existed, Ninja Gaiden stood apart, its difficulty legendary. Many players recount their struggles against Murai, the challenging first boss.

Despite the demanding challenge, the difficulty is generally fair. Deaths stem from player mistakes, requiring mastery of combat rhythms, movement, defense, and counter-attacks. The Izuna Drop, Ultimate Techniques, and diverse weapon combos provide ample tools to overcome challenges. This demanding gameplay, ironically, foreshadowed the Soulslike phenomenon. Ninja Gaiden's challenging nature and the satisfaction of overcoming seemingly insurmountable odds influenced the mindset of Soulslike fans. Few action games demand such mechanical mastery. FromSoftware, however, may have perfected this formula, leading to the Soulslike genre's dominance over the past decade.

Following the Trend

Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2, a widely criticized PS3 port considered inferior and a turning point for the series, coincided with Demon's Souls (2009). Demon's Souls, receiving strong reviews, paved the way for Dark Souls (2011), frequently cited as one of the greatest games ever made. While Ninja Gaiden 3 and Razor's Edge faltered, Dark Souls significantly impacted the action market, spawning sequels and influencing FromSoftware's subsequent titles, including Bloodborne, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, and Elden Ring.

This Soulslike influence spread to other franchises, such as Respawn's Star Wars Jedi games, Team Ninja's Nioh, and Game Science's Black Myth: Wukong. While Soulslikes aren't inherently flawed, their prevalence has stifled the AAA action space, leaving classic 3D action games scarce. Ninja Gaiden's return after a long absence, along with DMC5 (2019) and the evolved God of War (2018), which embraced a more methodical combat style, highlights this shift. The newer God of War games, while not strictly Soulslikes, share similarities.

Soulslike hallmarks—challenging combat emphasizing timing, stamina management, character builds, open-level design, and save points—are instantly recognizable. FromSoftware's use of this model is understandable, but widespread imitation has led to saturation. Ninja Gaiden 2 Black's release allows the strengths of character action games to shine again.

The Master Ninja's Return

Ninja Gaiden 2 Black offers a refreshing change. The fast-paced combat, diverse weapons, and restored gore (absent from Sigma 2) make it the best version on modern hardware, ideal for newcomers. While veterans might criticize difficulty adjustments and enemy counts, the original Ninja Gaiden II suffered from technical issues and unbalanced design. Ninja Gaiden 2 Black strikes a balance, retaining high difficulty, reinstating gore, and including extra content (excluding the unpopular statue boss fights).

This remaster underscores what was lost when similar games declined. Games inspired by Ninja Gaiden and God of War were prevalent in the late 2000s and early 2010s (e.g., Bayonetta, Dante's Inferno, Darksiders, Ninja Blade). The frenetic, combo-based combat against numerous enemies and giant bosses in a linear format is a proven formula, surprisingly overshadowed by the Soulslike model. While similar games exist (Hi-Fi Rush), Ninja Gaiden 2 Black is a prominent example from a major developer.

Replaying Ninja Gaiden 2 Black highlights its unique qualities. There are no shortcuts—no build guides, experience points, or stamina limitations. It's a pure test of skill, demanding mastery of combat. While Soulslikes' popularity persists, Ninja Gaiden's return hopefully ushers in a new era for action games, providing enough space for both styles to thrive.