After a fierce climactic battle with the Dark Dragon, Yakumo gazes upon the scenery he has reclaimed. Yet even now, the shadow of a new—and terrifying—archfiend creeps ever closer. Though the skies have cleared, the presence of deeper evil never fades. The battle of the Master Ninja is far from over.
Following the events of the main Ninja Gaiden 4 storyline, the long-awaited The Two Masters DLC sheds more light on the stories of both Ryu Hayabusa and Yakumo, who now stand together as Master Ninjas.
This DLC expands beyond the main game’s ending with new narrative content, and also introduces new weapons for both characters, adds an 100-battle gauntlet mode aptly named “Abyssal Road,” and incorporates wide-ranging quality-of-life improvements.
To access the new chapters that continue the story, as well as the new Abyssal Road challenge mode, players must complete the original campaign on any difficulty level (including the new-player friendly “Hero” mode). However, the new weapons added to Yakumo and Ryu’s arsenal will be available at any point after the tutorial for players who have not yet defeated the Dark Dragon.
I recently had the opportunity to play the DLC in advance, and spoke to PlatinumGames’ Yuji Nakao, the game’s producer and director. Here’s what you need to know before taking on the latest challenges Ninja Gaiden 4 has to offer.
The Story Continues
In the newly added DLC storyline, set after the events of the main game, Yakumo and Ryu Hayabusa spring into action to bring an end to the schemes of a new enemy, the Archfiend Seere. It also depicts Yakumo, who became a Master Ninja during the main story, reconsidering his own purpose in existence as he strives to catch up to Ryu Hayabusa.
“This time, we were finally able to set things under clear skies! So, we prepared locations where that brightness really shines,” says Nakao, with a grin on his face. “Yakumo’s stages were created with an urban, modern setting befitting the new Ninja Gaiden, while Ryu Hayabusa’s reflect the classic Ninja Gaiden image. We aimed for visuals that differ from [the main game], and stage design that fully embraces the essence of the Ninja Gaiden series.”
True to Nakao’s remark about clear skies, many battlefields in the DLC storyline are sunlit, marking a major shift from the atmosphere of base game’s main storyline. The Dark Dragon that once loomed over Tokyo’s sky is already gone, and likewise the Raven clan has been freed from its fate. Having fulfilled his clan’s long-held wish, Yakumo now must confront a new threat while grappling with inner conflict, all the while keeping up with Ryu Hayabusa.
An Addition to the Arsenal
As part of the DLC, Yakumo and Ryu Hayabusa each receive one new weapon. Yakumo gains Solitaire, a double-bladed war scythe named for the French word, symbolizing his spiritual solitude and solitary nature. Ryu, meanwhile, receives Jakotsumon, a freely extending chain weapon that fires from serpent-themed gauntlets.
Solitaire
“When you think of a scythe, you think of the Grim Reaper, right? Yakumo, the solitary ninja who mercilessly cuts down enemies one after another, is nothing less of a grim reaper himself, and that was the image behind bringing Solitaire into the game. I’m not sure where he found it, though,” laughs Nakao. “Because it’s a scythe, we aimed for light, playful handling in each of Solitaire’s forms. The great scythe looks heavy, but you can wield it quickly and smoothly, offering more responsive action than Yakumo’s previous Bloodraven moves.”
Solitaire allows even more agile movement and is characterized by having relatively low risk when holding down the attack button for charged attacks. Its sustained attack can repel enemy projectiles, demonstrating excellent breakthrough power, even in chaotic battles against large enemy waves.
Jakotsumon
“Until now, Ryu’s weapons haven’t really had a long reach, so this time we challenged that,” says Nakao regarding Jakotsumon’s development. “Jakotsumon not only extends for attacks but can pull enemies in or pull Ryu toward them; it’s a weapon highly specialized for mobility and positioning. It also has techniques that strike many foes at once, so in terms of usability you could say it’s quite versatile.”
In Ninja Gaiden 4, Ryu Hayabusa wielding the Dragon Sword already makes him one of the most capable versions of the character in the series. With Jakotsumon’s addition, the game adds an all-round weapon that enables even more aggressive close-quarters combat while ensuring enemies don’t slip away.
As players grow accustomed to it, they’ll be able to enjoy a technical playstyle, where they will opt to use Jakotsumon’s versatility to compensate for actions difficult with just the Dragon Sword.
A Gaze into the Abyss
The Abyssal Road, a fresh addition in The Two Masters DLC, is a mode for Master Ninjas seeking simple yet endless combat. Difficulty is set by tiers; starting from Normal and increasing as players descend deeper, until around the 100th floor where you must continuously fight at Master Ninja difficulty.
“As you advance deeper, enemy placement is strengthened. It truly becomes an abyss,” warns Nakao. “Players must overcome the 100-floor ordeal with limited items. Key features of the Abyssal Road include specially colored blood orbs and enemies in a Frenzied state. Differently colored blood orbs behave differently, from raising score multipliers or filling the Berserk Gauge.
“Frenzied enemies, when defeated, spread their state to nearby foes. Defeating the Frenzied enemies guarantee the spawn of a special blood orb, so you must carefully judge when to finish them off. But the Frenzied state also enhances enemy aggressiveness and strength, so whether you spare them or kill them, neither path is easy.”
While it may seem overwhelmingly difficult at first glance, the Abyssal Road imposes no special restrictions like the ones in the Challenge Missions. For those who simply want to enjoy pure, relentless combat, it is an ideal new mode, where you may spend countless hours in blissful focus.
Offering the Best Possible Experience
Several months have passed since the release of Ninja Gaiden 4, and the game continues to evolve based on player feedback. The quality-of-life improvements introduced alongside The Two Masters include enhanced combat responsiveness, added options for weapon set customization, and fixes across multiple chapters.
One improvement I noticed immediately, and particularly appreciated, was the significant reduction in retry time. Previously, when Yakumo or Ryu fell, a few-second curtain-call sequence would play. Now, it can be skipped with a button inputs. Players no longer need to watch the screen in frustration thinking “I was so close!” while waiting for the retry prompt.
The Two Masters DLC arrives today, and with it Nakao wants to present a heartfelt message of gratitude to the series’ fans:
“Thank you for your patience since we announced the DLC. During the time you’ve been waiting, we packed in as much replayable content as possible, including new weapons, stages, and challenges.
“We also prepared a completely new weapon for Ryu, the Jakotsumon, and I hope you’ll enjoy trying out his first new weapon in quite some time.
“Even players who have already cleared the game will find more scenarios to enjoy and new enemies awaiting them. We hope you’ll take this opportunity to play Ninja Gaiden 4 and The Two Masters DLC!”
The Two Masters is included as a free update for those who purchased the Ninja Gaiden 4: Deluxe Edition ($89.99 USD) or the Deluxe Upgrade ($20 USD). It is also available as a standalone offer for $14.99 USD.
NINJA GAIDEN 4 Deluxe Edition
Xbox Game Studios
$89.99
$58.49
Return of the Legend
Experience a return to the intense, high-speed combat that established NINJA GAIDEN as a premier action game series. Prepare for a legacy reborn with captivating style for a new generation of players.
Epic Hack and Slash Combat, Evolved
NINJA GAIDEN 4 fuses Team NINJA’s tempered combat philosophy with the stylish, dynamic action gameplay of PlatinumGames. 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.
An Ancient Enemy Returns
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.
Experience a return to the intense, high-octane action of NINJA GAIDEN with the Deluxe Edition.
Includes:
• Base Game
• Future Gameplay Content*
• Traditional Dark Blue and Legendary Black Falcon Ryu Skins
• Blade of the Archfiend Ryu Weapon Skin
• Divine Chimera and Raven Master Yakumo Skins
• Divine Chimera Yakumo Weapon Set
• 50,000 Bonus NinjaCoin
• Additional In-Game Items
NINJA GAIDEN 4 Standard Edition
Xbox Game Studios
$69.99
$45.49
Return of the Legend
Experience a return to the intense, high-speed combat that established NINJA GAIDEN as a premier action game series. Prepare for a legacy reborn with captivating style for a new generation of players.
Epic Hack and Slash Combat, Evolved
NINJA GAIDEN 4 fuses Team NINJA’s tempered combat philosophy with the stylish, dynamic action gameplay of PlatinumGames. 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.
An Ancient Enemy Returns
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.
The post Ninja Gaiden 4: The Two Masters DLC Arrives Today – We Spoke to the Game’s Director About Every Addition appeared first on Xbox Wire.
