Ninja Gaiden 4’s Tech Review is In: Smooth Action, Gritty Visuals
The dragon sword is unsheathed once more. Ninja Gaiden 4, the long-awaited collaboration between Team Ninja and PlatinumGames, has finally launched, and the technical experts at Digital Foundry have delivered their in-depth analysis. The verdict is overwhelmingly positive when it comes to performance, with the game delivering a rock-solid action experience. However, while it shines on high-end hardware, the Xbox Series S version makes some significant visual sacrifices to keep up.
Published by Xbox Game Studios, Ninja Gaiden 4 has been praised by critics for its incredibly fast, fluid, and stylish combat. It’s a game where every frame counts, making technical performance a crucial part of the experience. Digital Foundry’s review confirms that the developers prioritized gameplay above all else, resulting in a game that feels fantastic to play, even if it doesn’t push graphical boundaries.
Performance on Xbox Series X: A Clear Winner
For those playing on Xbox’s flagship console, the news is great. Ninja Gaiden 4 offers three distinct graphics modes on the Series X:
- Quality Mode: Targets a higher resolution (around 1440p) at 30fps. Digital Foundry strongly advises against this mode, citing poor frame pacing that makes the game feel sluggish and not worth the slight visual upgrade.
- Performance Mode: This is the sweet spot. It targets a dynamic 1080p at a smooth 60fps. While there can be minor dips in the most intense combat scenarios, it offers the best balance of visual clarity and fluid gameplay.
- 120 FPS Mode: For players with compatible displays, this mode offers the ultimate in responsiveness. It drops the resolution to 720p, but the incredibly smooth gameplay is a huge advantage in a fast-paced action title like this.
Overall, Digital Foundry found the Xbox Series X provides an excellent experience, with a slight performance advantage over its direct competitor, the PS5, in some scenarios. It’s a great showcase for what the hardware can do when focused on delivering high-frame-rate action.
The Xbox Series S: A Major Compromise
While the Series X delivers, the story is very different on the Xbox Series S. To maintain playable frame rates, the game makes substantial visual cuts. Digital Foundry described the Series S version as “pretty ugly,” with a much lower internal resolution that results in a blurry or “fuzzy” image. While the game still plays well and maintains a stable frame rate, the visual downgrade is severe. It’s a classic case of performance over pixels, but the trade-off here is one of the most significant seen in a major release.
Beyond the Pixels: A Triumph of Gameplay
Technical specs aside, the consensus is that Ninja Gaiden 4 is a phenomenal action game. It’s a successful fusion of the classic Ninja Gaiden identity with the stylish, over-the-top combat that is PlatinumGames’ signature. Many have called it one of the best action games in years and a fantastic addition to the Xbox Game Pass library.
Community feedback echoes this sentiment, with players comparing the fluid, combo-driven gameplay to a mix of Hi-Fi Rush and Vanquish. It’s a game that knows exactly what it wants to be: a pure, unadulterated, and incredibly fun power fantasy. The solid performance ensures that this vision is executed brilliantly on capable hardware.
Conclusion
Digital Foundry’s analysis confirms that Team Ninja and PlatinumGames have delivered a technically sound and well-optimized action title in Ninja Gaiden 4. On Xbox Series X, players have excellent options to tailor their experience, whether they prefer a balanced 60fps or the ultra-smooth feel of 120fps. However, Xbox Series S owners should be prepared for a significant visual downgrade. Ultimately, the game is a testament to the idea that exhilarating gameplay and responsive controls are what truly make an action game great, and in that regard, Ninja Gaiden 4 is an absolute triumph.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What was Digital Foundry’s overall verdict on Ninja Gaiden 4’s performance?
They gave a positive verdict, praising the game for its solid performance and strong optimization across most platforms. They noted that it prioritizes high frame rates over cutting-edge graphics.
2. How does Ninja Gaiden 4 perform on Xbox Series X?
It performs very well. Digital Foundry recommends the Performance Mode for a stable 60fps or the 120 FPS Mode for players with compatible TVs who want maximum fluidity. The 30fps Quality Mode is not recommended.
3. What are the issues with the Xbox Series S version?
The Xbox Series S version suffers from a significant drop in visual quality. To maintain a stable frame rate, the resolution is much lower, leading to what Digital Foundry described as a “pretty ugly” and “fuzzy” image.
4. What graphics modes are available on Xbox Series X?
There are three modes: Quality (targets higher resolution at 30fps), Performance (targets 1080p at 60fps), and a 120 FPS Mode (targets 720p at 120fps).
5. Is Ninja Gaiden 4 a good game despite the technical compromises on some platforms?
Yes, the game has been met with critical acclaim for its fast-paced, stylish combat and is considered a great return for the series. It’s widely praised as one of the best action games of the year and a standout title on Xbox Game Pass.