《忍者龍劍傳4》（Ninja Gaiden 4）是由光荣特库摩（Koei Tecmo）旗下Team NINJA開發的高難度動作遊戲，預計於2025年10月21日在Steam、PlayStation5、Microsoft Windows和Xbox Series X/S（Xbox Game Pass）平台正式發售，亦有望登陸其他主機平台。作為睽違十餘年的正統續作，延續系列一貫的高速戰鬥、極致打擊感與日系硬派美學，並針對當代玩家的操作習慣與視覺體驗進行全面升級，試圖打造出更具張力的忍者動作極限。

在劇情方面，主角傳奇忍者「隼龍」（Ryu Hayabusa）再次登場，與年輕天才忍者八雲共同對抗古老敵人與魔物。延續前作《忍者龍劍傳3》的世界觀。隼龍在長年潛藏後再度現身，是因為全球多處神秘爆炸與生物兵器異變事件頻傳，一股新興邪教組織正在暗中崛起，其背後操縱者不僅掌握古老邪神的遺產，更與過去隼一族的黑暗歷史密切相關。隨著隼龍的旅程深入亞洲與歐洲的都市、失落神殿、機械化據點與詭異的異界空間，逐步揭開陰謀核心，並面對一連串來自超自然與科技融合的強敵。

在操作與戰鬥設計上，回歸系列最廣受好評的機制：彈反、閃避與連段斬殺。戰鬥節奏極為快速，玩家需精準判斷敵人出招時機，透過格擋或瞬間閃避進行反擊。彈反系統（Parry）設計更為講究時機與角度，成功彈反將能啟動「瞬斬」系統，一刀斷敵、破防擊殺，帶來極具爽快感的畫面演出。除此之外，技能連段也更為豐富，隼龍可使用雙刀、龍劍、手裡劍、鎖鐮等多樣忍具進行變化無窮的連擊組合，並搭配忍術釋放火、雷、影等範圍技，針對多敵場面提供戰術選擇。

場景設計方面，以縱深感十足的關卡為特色，融合跑酷機制、牆面跳躍、滑行、繩索移動等忍者動作元素，能自由穿梭於垂直與橫向空間。每張地圖皆含秘密通道、戰鬥試煉與道具隱藏區，鼓勵玩家反覆探索與精進技巧。

視覺呈現方面，採用自家改良引擎打造，角色建模精細，動作捕捉流暢且細膩，特別在刀劍衝突、爆炸與忍術特效中展現出強烈的視覺衝擊。場景風格則融合現代都市廢墟與東方神話意象，營造出科技與古老信仰交織的末日氛圍。音樂方面，延續系列傳統，以重金屬與和風旋律交錯的音軌貫穿戰鬥與劇情，配合BOSS戰專屬配樂進一步提升情緒張力。

市場期待值極高。《忍者龍劍傳》系列在玩家間早有“硬核動作代表”之稱，自初代以來便以極高的難度與純熟的戰鬥手感著稱。許多玩家將本系列視為魂系與現代ACT遊戲的先驅之一，因此《忍者龍劍傳4》的重磅回歸，自預告釋出便引起熱烈討論。尤其是彈反演出、實機畫面與隼龍全新招式展示，更讓資深玩家期待其能恢復系列巔峰狀態。

總體而言，《忍者龍劍傳4》不僅是經典IP的重生，更是對傳統動作遊戲深度與挑戰性的再定義。它並未向休閒市場妥協，而是選擇深化格擋、連擊與BOSS戰等技術面，為動作遊戲愛好者提供真正能展現技巧的舞台。若熱愛《鬼泣》《只狼》《獵天使魔女》等高操作門檻的作品，那麼這款重返血雨腥風世界的《忍者龙剑传4》，將是今年絕對不容錯過的硬派動作鉅作。

Ninja Gaiden 4 is a high-difficulty action game developed by Team NINJA under Koei Tecmo, scheduled for release on October 21, 2025, on Steam, PlayStation 5, Microsoft Windows, and Xbox Series X/S (including Xbox Game Pass), with possible expansion to additional platforms in the future. As a long-awaited sequel in the legendary Ninja Gaiden franchise, the game preserves the series’ signature blend of high-speed combat, intense impact, and hard-edged Japanese aesthetics, while undergoing a full upgrade to meet the expectations of modern players, both in gameplay and visual presentation. It aims to deliver the ultimate ninja action experience.

The story once again centers on the legendary ninja Ryu Hayabusa, who returns alongside a young genius ninja named Yakumo to battle ancient enemies and monstrous threats. Set in the same universe as Ninja Gaiden 3, the narrative picks up after years of Ryu's disappearance. He is forced back into action when mysterious explosions and bioweapon mutations erupt across the globe. Behind these catastrophic events lies a newly-risen cult with access to forbidden relics of an ancient dark deity—closely tied to the buried secrets of the Hayabusa clan. As Ryu journeys through modern Asian and European cities, lost temples, mechanized fortresses, and eerie otherworldly domains, he uncovers a sprawling conspiracy rooted in supernatural and scientific fusion.

Gameplay-wise, Ninja Gaiden 4 returns to the franchise's most celebrated mechanics: parry, dodge, and combo execution. Combat is incredibly fast-paced, demanding players to read enemy patterns, time parries precisely, and counterattack with deadly efficiency. The revamped Parry System is more sensitive to timing and angles, rewarding successful counters with a "Flash Kill" animation that instantly breaks guards and delivers a cinematic finishing blow. Ryu can wield various iconic weapons including dual blades, the Dragon Sword, shurikens, and kusarigama, each with deep combo trees and fluid transitions. In addition, ninjutsu techniques such as fire, lightning, and shadow-based area attacks are available, offering tactical options in crowd-control and boss fights.

Level design emphasizes verticality and mobility, allowing for ninja-themed traversal like wall running, parkour, rope swinging, and stealth gliding. Every map is designed with secret passages, combat trials, and hidden item caches, encouraging players to fully explore and refine their skills.

Graphically, the game utilizes a refined in-house engine. Character models are highly detailed, animations are fluid and realistic, especially during sword clashes, explosions, and ninjutsu effects, delivering strong visual impact. The environment design combines post-apocalyptic urban decay with mythological Japanese aesthetics, creating an atmospheric world where ancient belief systems meet cyberpunk elements. The soundtrack blends heavy metal riffs with traditional Japanese melodies, enhancing both the intensity of combat and the emotional beats of the narrative. Unique boss themes further intensify dramatic encounters.

Anticipation for the game is sky-high. The Ninja Gaiden franchise has long been hailed as the pinnacle of hardcore action games, known for its brutal difficulty and masterful combat systems. It’s often credited as a forerunner to modern action titles and Soulslike games. Since the release of the trailer, showcasing parry mechanics, real-time combat, and Ryu’s new abilities, the fanbase—especially veterans—has voiced strong excitement, hoping for a true return to form.

In conclusion, Ninja Gaiden 4 is more than a revival of a classic IP; it's a bold reassertion of what challenging action games can offer. The developers make no concessions to casual trends. Instead, they double down on precision mechanics, combo mastery, and intense boss fights, delivering a refined battleground for action purists. For players who enjoy titles like Devil May Cry, Sekiro, or Bayonetta, this upcoming blood-soaked return to ninja warfare promises to be one of the year’s most unmissable hardcore action masterpieces.