Prepare for One of 2025's Biggest Xbox Games By Playing This Well-Reviewed Title Right Now

It’s been a year of ups and downs for Xbox. On the one hand, Microsoft shut down several in-development games, like Perfect Dark and Everwild, but on the other, Xbox has been leading the charge with major game launches this year, and there are even more to come. Games like Avowed and South of Midnight were just the tip of the iceberg, not to mention Forza Horizon 5 and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle being ported to the PS5.

The rest of the year still has a lot of major launches in store, like The Outer Worlds 2 and Gears of War: Reloaded. However, one of the most anticipated by a lot of longtime gamers is Ninja Gaiden 4. This title has been a long time coming, as its predecessor, Ninja Gaiden 3, was released all the way back in 2012. That feels like a lifetime ago, and while eager fans have a little while longer to wait, a newly released spin-off, Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound, can help satisfy those cravings.

How Long to Beat Ninja Gaiden Ragebound

Ninja Gaiden Ragebound is a retro action-platformer with 18 Main Stages to complete, along with a further 8 Special Ops Missions.

Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound Can Be the Perfect Appetizer Ahead of Ninja Gaiden 4

Taking the Franchise Back to its Roots

Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound launched on July 31, 2025.

Ninja Gaiden is known by many as an action-packed series, but there are some who may not be aware that the franchise first began as a side-scrolling hack-and-slash platformer. The series eventually became a third-person blood-soaked action franchise, and Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound aims to bring both of those worlds into one sweat-inducing experience. So far, Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound is off to a great start, garnering strong reviews from both players and critics.

Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound‘s official Steam page states, “The best of both eras come together to create an epic and thrilling adventure.” Between the pixel-art-focused design and intense action, Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound has nailed that goal, and while the wait for Ninja Gaiden 4 goes on, gamers who are eager for extra content, but also want a fun-filled nostalgic kick, may find the platformer well worth the time.

Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound is developed by The Game Kitchen, the team responsible for the hit Metroidvania series, Blasphemous.

After Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound, Ninja Gaiden 4 is Right Around the Corner

Ninja Gaiden 4 is set to be released on October 21, 2025.

It’s been a huge year for the Ninja Gaiden franchise. Earlier this year in January, Ninja Gaiden 2 Black was shadow dropped, kickstarting hype for both Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound and Ninja Gaiden 4. This Unreal Engine 5 remaster was a pleasant surprise, and with a brand-new mainline Ninja Gaiden game waiting on the horizon, 2025 has proven to be one of the biggest years that the action series has ever seen.

So far, Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound is off to a great start, garnering strong reviews from both players and critics.

There are still a few months left before Ninja Gaiden 4 is ready, but in the meantime, Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound offers something both familiar and fresh. Even better, the game is discounted for its first week. Gamers have until August 7 to save 10%, marking down the original $24.99 USD price to $22.49 USD. It may not be a massive discount, but it’s still exciting to have the chance to save some money ahead of Ninja Gaiden 4.

Ninja Gaiden 4 features a new protagonist, Yakumo, who is part of the Raven Clan.

As of now, the countdown to Ninja Gaiden 4 continues, and with each day passing, only time will tell what’s in store for longtime fans. With the tease of a brand-new, mysterious, protagonist, Ninja Gaiden 4 is both intriguing and anxiety-inducing. Once it’s here, though, it will be thrilling to see what action-packed moments await players.