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Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →NINJA GAIDEN 4 has two confirmed playable characters: new protagonist Yakumo and returning hero Ryu Hayabusa. The story assigns them to specific chapters, while Chapter Challenge lets you choose either character for any stage.
Confirmed playable characters in NINJA GAIDEN 4
| Character | Role | Where you can play them |
|---|---|---|
| Yakumo | The new protagonist | Specific story chapters; either character is available in Chapter Challenge. |
| Ryu Hayabusa | Returning series hero | Specific story chapters; either character is available in Chapter Challenge. |
Xbox Wire’s January 2025 interview quotes producer and director Yuji Nakao confirming Ryu “will appear throughout the game and be playable.” The same announcement identifies Yakumo as the new protagonist. Xbox Wire’s announcement therefore confirms both characters as playable.
Can you choose Yakumo or Ryu in every chapter?
Not during the story campaign. Xbox Wire’s August 7, 2025 feature says chapters assign the player to Yakumo or Ryu, so the character is determined by that part of the story. The chapter-selection feature distinguishes that campaign structure from Chapter Challenge: when replaying chapters in that mode, both characters are available on any stage.
Are Seori, Kagachi, Tyran, or Misaki playable?
Team NINJA’s official NINJA GAIDEN 4 outline names Seori, Kagachi, Tyran, and Misaki alongside Yakumo and Ryu. But being named on that character outline does not confirm playable status. The cited official statements confirm Yakumo and Ryu as playable; they do not establish that the other four can be controlled.
#1 Best Overall
![NINJA GAIDEN 4 | Deluxe Edition | PlayStation 5 [Disc + Code in Box]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51Nbngz0TGL._SL160_.jpg)
- DELUXE EDITION: Comes with the Base Game (disc) and exclusives like character and weapon skins for Yakumo and Ryu, Future Gameplay Content*, 50,000 Bonus NinjaCoin, and additional in-game items.
- Experience a return to the intense, high-speed combat that established NINJA GAIDEN as a premier action game series. Prepare for a legacy reborn with captivating style for a new generation of players.
- NINJA GAIDEN 4 fuses Team NINJA'S tempered combat philosophy with the stylish, dynamic action gameplay of PlatinumGames. Engage in visually stunning combat that rewards precision and strategy.
- An endless rain of miasma hangs over a near-future Tokyo in the wake of an ancient enemy’s resurrection. The fate of the city lies in the hands of young ninja prodigy, Yakumo.
Release and platforms
NINJA GAIDEN 4 released on October 21, 2025. The official Xbox listing includes Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, Xbox Cloud, and Xbox Play Anywhere; PlatinumGames’ release-day post also confirms availability on PlayStation 5 and Steam, as well as Xbox Series X|S and Game Pass. Check the relevant platform’s current store listing for availability and edition details, which can change. Xbox’s game listing and PlatinumGames’ release-day post provide platform information.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Experience a return to the intense, high-speed combat that established NINJA GAIDEN as a premier action game series. Prepare for a legacy reborn with captivating style for a new generation of players.
- NINJA GAIDEN 4 fuses Team NINJA'S tempered combat philosophy with the stylish, dynamic action gameplay of PlatinumGames. Engage in visually stunning combat that rewards precision and strategy.
- An endless rain of miasma hangs over a near-future Tokyo in the wake of an ancient enemy’s resurrection. The fate of the city lies in the hands of young ninja prodigy, Yakumo.
Rank #3
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Rank #2
- Experience a return to the intense, high-speed combat that established NINJA GAIDEN as a premier action game series. Prepare for a legacy reborn with captivating style for a new generation of players.
- NINJA GAIDEN 4 fuses Team NINJA'S tempered combat philosophy with the stylish, dynamic action gameplay of PlatinumGames. Engage in visually stunning combat that rewards precision and strategy.
- An endless rain of miasma hangs over a near-future Tokyo in the wake of an ancient enemy’s resurrection. The fate of the city lies in the hands of young ninja prodigy, Yakumo.
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