Ninja Gaiden 4's Identity Struggle: Between Master Ninja and Devil May Cry

Ninja Gaiden 4: A Dance Between Tradition and Modern Whimsy

The Visionary's Shadow: Itagaki's Legacy and Rivalries

Tomonobu Itagaki, the creative force behind the esteemed Ninja Gaiden franchise, who recently passed away at 58, was renowned for his playful jabs at industry counterparts during interviews. He famously categorized Tekken entries 1-5 as his \"least favorite\" titles and engaged in well-documented exchanges with figures like Tekken's Katsuhiro Harada and Devil May Cry's Hideki Kamiya. During the development of 2005's Ninja Gaiden Black, Itagaki even offered a backhanded compliment to Devil May Cry 3 director Hideaki Itsuno, acknowledging his potential for future success.

Beyond the Brash Exterior: Respect and Distinctive Design

Beneath his often boisterous exterior, Itagaki appeared to hold considerable regard for his fellow action game developers. His provocative style served as a means to cultivate the persona of a true \"Master Ninja.\" However, as observed in a critique of Ninja Gaiden 4, Itagaki's creations consistently diverged from those of his contemporaries. Their distinguishing characteristic wasn't merely their heightened difficulty, but also their unwavering seriousness; the lighthearted, sarcastic humor seen in Kamiya's Dante and later Bayonetta was conspicuously absent from Itagaki's works. His unique brand of humor was exemplified by the inclusion of an easier \"Ninja Dog\" mode for players struggling with the initial stages of Ninja Gaiden.

An Unexpected Crossroads: Ninja Gaiden 4's Evolving Identity

The most intriguing aspect of Ninja Gaiden 4 lies in its earnest attempt to honor Itagaki's stringent standards, despite being developed by a studio founded by the very individuals behind the more whimsical games he often criticized. Consequently, playing the game becomes a peculiar experience, as it truly comes alive when it relinquishes its forceful adherence to the Ninja Gaiden ethos and instead embraces its inherent desire to emulate Devil May Cry.

Embracing the Absurd: A Surf Ninja's Journey

As noted in a prior assessment, Ninja Gaiden 4 exists in a curious state of being both excessive and insufficient, reminiscent of the cult action-comedy film \"Surf Ninjas.\" This comparison became particularly apt during a surfing sequence within the game. This element of absurdity, while unexpected, provides a much-needed injection of levity, especially given the disappointingly unremarkable early sections of the game.

From Drab Cyberpunk to Dazzling Mayhem

The protagonist, Yakumo, initially feels somewhat uninspired, with narrative exposition delivered via radio chatter that often fails to captivate. The cyberpunk rendition of Tokyo, while aesthetically ambitious, often renders the initial levels overly dark and challenging for combat. Yet, the moment Yakumo takes to a surfboard, it feels as if the developers, PlatinumGames, awaken to their own sense of fun. Boss battles against colossal sharks, peculiar zombie adversaries, disco-themed combat arenas, and interdimensional portals all contribute to a significant boost in enjoyment once Ninja Gaiden 4 permits itself to be wonderfully outlandish.

The Kage-Hiruko: A Devil May Cry Infusion

Soon after, Yakumo acquires a weapon, the Kage-Hiruko, which bears a striking resemblance to something out of Devil May Cry 5. This magical box of ninja tools allows him to wield oversized shurikens, explosives, and a variety of blades attached to mechanical appendages. The immediate surge of power this weapon provides marks a thrilling turning point, mirroring the spectral arm transformations experienced by Nero in DMC5. The Kage-Hiruko, while part of Ninja Gaiden 4's arsenal, functions as a multi-purpose tool, combining ranged assaults, area-of-effect detonations, and brutal close-quarters finishers, effectively consolidating multiple weapon types into one potent item. This raises the question of what other imaginative concepts PlatinumGames might have considered but ultimately discarded, perhaps due to time constraints or perceived incompatibility with the traditional Ninja Gaiden style. One can only imagine a scenario akin to Dante's motorcycle fusion and weaponization in Devil May Cry.

A Lingering Glimmer of Personality

Following the introduction of this inventive weapon, Ninja Gaiden 4 reverts to a more somber tone, presenting narrative moments that largely fall flat. However, a final playful wink emerges towards the game's conclusion: as Yakumo scales a towering skyscraper via wall-jumps, the camera dramatically pans out, emphasizing the epic scale of the feat, accompanied by his repetitive \"hup hup hup\" vocalizations. A more polished version of the game would have embraced this self-aware humor more consistently.

The Future of Action Gaming: A Shifting Landscape

Would such a game truly embody the essence of Ninja Gaiden? Probably not. It appears increasingly improbable that any future title will fully encapsulate the unique persona and distinct design philosophy of Tomonobu Itagaki. Simultaneously, the industry peers he once strived to surpass have largely moved on from their own iconic series. Kamiya's departure from PlatinumGames suggests an uncertain future for Bayonetta, and Itsuno's exit from Capcom likely signals a hiatus for Devil May Cry. If adopting a more lighthearted approach is what it takes for Ninja Gaiden to fill the void left by these legendary franchises, then one can hope to see Yakumo embrace a more overtly flamboyant style in his subsequent adventures.