The opening chapter of Ninja Gaiden 4 hits the mark perfectly with its brutal combat and punishing gameplay.

Ninja Gaiden 4 is set to release later this year, and I had the chance to play the initial hours through the Xbox Insider Program on the Xbox Series X. The demo included the prologue and first chapter, and I’m pleased to say it makes a very strong impression from the start. The game is co-developed by Team Ninja and PlatinumGames, a collaboration that sounds like a perfect fit. However, opinions on both studios lately have been mixed. PlatinumGames, in particular, has had a rocky patch, with the poorly received live service RPG Babylon’s Fall affecting their reputation. While I enjoyed Bayonetta 3, it arguably doesn’t match the high standards set by earlier entries in its series. Fortunately, Ninja Gaiden 4 appears poised to reestablish both developers as leaders in high-budget, action-packed hack-and-slash games. Team Ninja and PlatinumGames are effectively combining their strengths here: Team Ninja’sexpertly crafted, challenging combat meshes perfectly with PlatinumGames’ flair for stylish presentation and fast, responsive gameplay.This promising start suggests Ninja Gaiden 4 will be a standout title for fans of intense action and skillful game design.