In case you're a gamer who additionally loves ninja-themed stuff, 2025 may've been the most effective yr ever.
It appears everybody and their canine have been releasing ninja and samurai video games this yr, as in the event that they'd mentioned it beforehand.
Together with a remaster and a brand new platform for an older recreation, we rely eight ninja and samurai video games launched this yr alone, and 9 should you're keen to incorporate a Ninja Turtles ways recreation.
Let's discuss concerning the plethora of katana-centric video games that hit PC and consoles this yr.
Murderer's Creed Shadows
(Accessible on: PC, PS5, Xbox)
Murderer's Creed Shadows lastly delivers on the request avid gamers have been shouting from the rooftops ever because the sequence launched in 2007—a ninja-themed recreation.
That is essentially the most controversial recreation on the record, for lots of causes drummed up by ragebait YouTubers, together with a number of legitimate ones.
Shadows presents one of the crucial stunningly rendered depictions of Japan within the Warring States interval, providing a panorama that options giant cities, tall mountains, and a stretching shoreline with out feeling like a theme park.
The sport neatly separates AC's two mechanical paths into two characters—Naoe the Ninja and Yasuke the Samurai. With some exceptions in the course of the story, you may play the overwhelming majority of the sport with whichever character you please, permitting you to sort out the sport as a shadowy shinobi or a tank of a samurai.
It has the issues typical of an Murderer's Creed recreation: the map feels each too large and too crowded. It feels foolish to knife a man at the back of the neck just for him to reside by it barely touched—although we advocate turning on one-hit assassinations for a real murderer expertise.
In case you don't like Ubisoft video games normally, Shadows received't change your thoughts, and also you'll wish to keep away from this one. If you wish to hop on horseback and tour one of the crucial lovely video games since Pink Lifeless Redemption 2, whereas shedding loads of blood, that is the sport for you.
Ghost of Yotei
(Accessible on: PS5)
The follow-up to 2020's Ghost of Tsushima, Ghost of Yotei, is ready in a completely completely different a part of Japan and takes place 300 years later, on the finish of the Warring States/Sengoku interval.
You'll play as Atsu, who’s on a quest for revenge in opposition to a gaggle of masked nobles who killed her household. It's weirdly just like Murderer's Creed Shadows, however don't let that cease you from enjoying each of them.
It simply so occurs that getting revenge in opposition to "a bunch of men" is a strong components for an open-world recreation. Atsu isn't like Jin—she isn't tied by honor to a single approach of approaching revenge, a lot as she is a kenshi, or sword grasp.
There aren’t any "honorable methods" for her to desert. You may go stealth, you may play soiled, no matter will get the job executed. Rather than stances, you'll have 4 completely different weapons at hand (comparable to a spear or kusarigama), with every meant to counter particular enemies.
It's additionally a surprising recreation and a very good showcase for the PlayStation 5.
Ninja Gaiden II Black
(Accessible on: PC, PS5, Xbox)
Staff Ninja took the reins of Tecmo's Ninja Gaiden sequence on the launch of the unique Xbox.
The most effective cherished of the three unique Staff Ninja-developed Ninja Gaiden video games and their subsequent rereleases was Ninja Gaiden Black, because it added two new difficulties—a brand new simple mode known as Ninja Canine and a tougher Grasp Ninja mode.
These made the sport each way more accessible to those that struggled with the primary launch's excessive ability flooring and supplied a brand new degree of problem for these aspiring towards new mastery.
Whereas one other department reworked all three video games, known as Ninja Gaiden Sigma, Black is the fan favourite, and was the one one within the sequence to get the therapy, till earlier this yr when Staff Ninja shadow-dropped Ninja Gaiden II Black to PC storefronts, PlayStation 5, and Sport Go, remade in Unreal Engine 5.
Ninja Gaiden II Black ups the gore and enemy rely, rolls the improve system again to one thing like that of Ninja Gaiden Black, and removes some poorly-received bosses and modes that have been added to Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2. Fan response says that the sport feels fairly just like the unique launch, and that it largely delivers on the expectations that include a Ninja Gaiden recreation.
Ninja Gaiden 4
(Accessible on: PC, PS5, Xbox)
One Ninja Gaiden recreation merely wasn't sufficient from online game developer Staff Ninja.
Staff Ninja didn’t simply shadow-drop the Ninja Gaiden 2 remake—it additionally revealed Ninja Gaiden 4, again in January.
Now it’s right here, and early reception is robust, with a “Very Optimistic” score on Steam.
This time, the studio teamed up with PlatinumGames, mixing each groups’ trademark motion types right into a uncommon sequel that really delivers as an alternative of leaving followers nostalgic for the previous days.
Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound
(Accessible on: PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox, Nintendo Swap)
Okay, two Ninja Gaiden video games weren't sufficient. With two fashionable Ninja Gaiden video games releasing in the identical yr, for some motive—we're not complaining, to be clear—Tecmo determined to provide the Ninja Gaiden license to top-of-the-line 2D motion devs round.
The Sport Kitchen, developer of Blasphemous and Blasphemous 2, takes the sport again to its roots, with an 8-bit-style sidescroller that refuses to tug punches in relation to problem and precision.
Of the three Ninja Gaiden video games launched this yr, Ragebound takes residence the trophy of being the very best rated on each Metacritic and Steam.
Shinobi: Artwork of Vengeance
(Accessible on: PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox, Nintendo Swap)
Whereas Ninja Gaiden Ragebound seeks to convey us again to the times of NES video games, Shinobi needs to do one thing new with out abandoning its roots.
Shinobi retains issues two-dimensional and expands the usual sidescrolling with an overworld map the place you may travel to new and previous ranges, and "metroidvania" parts, with secret areas and branching paths.
The controls are fluid, and executives are enjoyable all through the sport. On prime of all this, the sport is completely gorgeous to take a look at.
Honorable Mentions
There are some others that bear point out.
First, the re-release of Ninja 5-O onto digital storefronts. This recreation is wanted as one of many rarest Sport Boy Advance cartridges, and that is the primary time it's been typically accessible to avid gamers.
This yr additionally noticed the discharge of Rise of the Ronin, an open-world recreation initially launched for the PlayStation 5 final yr, developed and printed by Ninja Gaiden writer Koei Tecmo.
Rise of the Ronin is ready within the 1800s, on the finish of the shogunate, as American black ships arrive.
In case you want your ninjas to additionally be turtles, there's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tactical Takedown, a turn-based TMNT recreation that forces you to maintain your turtles on their toes and transferring as they combat.
