Ninja Gaiden 4, the latest installment in the long-running action-adventure series, has officially been rated M for Mature 17+ by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB). The game’s rating comes as anticipation builds for its release on October 21, 2025, across PlayStation 5, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X/S platforms.
The ESRB rating summary cites Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language, and Suggestive Themes as the primary content factors behind the Mature designation. As outlined, players will take control of a new protagonist, Yakumo, a ninja warrior on a quest to break a deadly curse that has haunted his clan. The game is viewed from a third-person perspective and will challenge players with fast-paced, melee-focused combat using a variety of weapons such as swords, metal claws, drills, and throwing shuriken.
Combat in Ninja Gaiden 4 is expected to be intense and graphic. The ESRB notes that many finishing moves can cause dismemberment or decapitation, frequently shown from close-up camera angles. During these brutal encounters, the environment becomes littered with large bloodstains, severed limbs, and torsos that remain visible throughout battle. Cutscenes further emphasize this graphic content, depicting moments such as enemies being sliced in half, characters suffering amputations, and dramatic impalements.
In addition to the violent content, the game includes suggestive themes. The rating summary mentions that certain female characters wear revealing outfits exposing deep cleavage, with one particular character’s breast physics being noticeable during cinematic sequences. The use of strong language is also present in the game, including instances of the word “f**k.”
After a decade-long hiatus, Ninja Gaiden 4 is set to revive the acclaimed action franchise as a direct sequel to Ninja Gaiden 3. This seventh mainline entry represents a unique collaboration between Team Ninja and PlatinumGames, published under Xbox Game Studios. While the narrative centers on newcomer Yakumo’s journey, series stalwart Ryu Hayabusa returns as a playable character with significant story involvement.
