It had been rumoured before today's Xbox Developer Direct 2025 event that a legendary Japanese IP would make a surprise appearance, and it's turned out to be Ninja Gaiden 4 - launching in Fall 2025 on Xbox Game Pass!

The game, which is officially being published by Xbox Game Studios, will feature a new protagonist in the form of Yakumo, while the story will revolve around the return of the Dark Dragon and Yakumo's attempt "reconcile a destiny" with series legend Ryu Hayabusa - who will also be a playable character.

"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. Fighting his way through cybernetic ninja soldiers and otherworldly creatures, Yakumo must reconcile a destiny he shares with the legendary Ryu Hayabusa himself and free Tokyo from the ancient curse that brought the city to its knees."

"Engage in visually stunning combat that rewards precision and strategy. Use Bloodbind Ninjutsu to transform your weapons and unleash devastation upon your enemies, alongside legacy techniques like the Izuna Drop and Flying Swallow. The legendary Ryu Hayabusa also returns with a revamped yet familiar set of tools to master. With a customizable player experience, NINJA GAIDEN 4 will push action game veterans to their limits while allowing newcomers to enjoy a heart-pounding adventure full of twists and turns."

In addition to this announcement, it was revealed that Ninja Gaiden 2 Black is launching today on Xbox Game Pass! This is a obviously a new take on the 2008 game, remastered using Unreal Engine 5 to deliver a big graphical upgrade.

Excited for Ninja Gaiden 4? Let us know down in the comments section below.