Summary
The Game Kitchen and publishers Dotemu and Joystick reserved a special spot forNinja Gaidenfans during Sony’s recent State of Play showcase, and a new trailer revealed a special date to note. The coreNinja Gaidenseries carries a retro-futuristic setting and follows ninja, Ryu Hayabusa, who has to battle through new enemies during his colorful escapade. The fourth, upcoming installment will introduce a new protagonist named Yakumo, with a story taking place some time afterNinja Gaiden 3’s narrative.
Koei Tecmo recently announced a very successful financial year, and the developer created the first entry in the action-platform series back in 1988 for arcades. Known back then asShadow Warriorsin Europe andNinja Ryukendenin Japan, theNinja Gaidenseries went on to spawn over 20 titles under the IP.Ninja Gaiden 4has also been announced to launch in late 2025, developed byNiohstudio Team Ninja.
Revealed during Sony’s State of Play presentation for June, a brand-new trailer was shown for the upcoming action-platformerNinja Gaiden: Ragebound, accompanied by the now-confirmed release date of July 31. The Game Kitchen is famously known for contributing to the soulslike genre, and the studio previously revealedhowNinja Gaiden: Rageboundcompares toBlasphemous.Ragebound’s goal is to unite the lore and gameplay of Koei Tecmo’sNinja Gaidenera with the “depth and intensity” of modern 3D components, and the story returns Ryu to the spotlight as he travels to America to uphold his father’s will.
Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound Confirmed to Launch on June 15, 2025
The Game Kitchen is taking theNinja Gaidenseries back to its 2D rootsby revisiting the very first episode of the original trilogy, and fans agree that it adds an extra dose of nostalgia toRagebound. Several social media users agreed the series was back to full form after witnessing the spectacle that was the release date trailer. The fandom also labeled 2025 as the year of the Ninja, and a lot of praise was given to the game’s visuals, noting that The Game Kitchen’s graphics are never disappointing.
Game Rant’s hands-on preview ofNinja Gaiden: Rageboundconfirmed the platformer’s degree of replayability, thanks to its Golden Scarab collectibles and end-of-stage rankings, and declared the game a “stand-out experience” for fans of the series. Furthermore,Ragebound’s visuals and art direction are project staples, combining detailed pixel images with seamless animation that enhances the high-octane action.
