In recent years, Team Ninja has dominated the action RPG (Soulslike) scene with hits like Nioh and Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty. But fans have one burning question: When will Ryu Hayabusa return?

With many years since Ninja Gaiden 3 (and its follow-up, Razor's Edge), plus the success of the Master Collection, the real question is no longer "if" but "when" we'll get Ninja Gaiden 4. Here’s why the time is right and what we believe the next game must deliver:

Why Now? Team Ninja Is at Its Peak

Over the past seven years, Team Ninja has perfected its combat systems. This expertise could make Ninja Gaiden 4 a true masterpiece:

1. Tactile Combat: The satisfying hit feedback and smooth animations honed in Nioh and Wo Long can elevate the speed and intensity of Ninja Gaiden to new heights.

2. Next-Gen Power: The capabilities of PS5 and Xbox Series X|S can combine with Ninja Gaiden II's signature dismemberment mechanics for more fluid, detailed, and intense combat scenes.

3. Proven Demand: The sales of the Master Collection show the series still has strong commercial appeal. The studio now needs to crown its RPG success by returning to pure action-adventure roots.

What Do Fans Want? A Return to Form

For Ninja Gaiden 4 to succeed, it must deliver on some non-negotiable expectations for longtime fans:

Story Expectations: Hayabusa Faces New Foes

Ryu Hayabusa is always caught between revenge, demons, and ancient conspiracies. In Ninja Gaiden 4, fans expect the story to take a more personal turn:

• Ryu’s struggle to control the power of the legendary True Dragon Sword.

• Side characters from the Dead or Alive universe could appear, but without overshadowing the main story.

Ninja Gaiden 4 has the potential to redefine not just action games but the entire adventure genre. Now, all that’s left is for Team Ninja to answer the call and reclaim the throne of action gaming.