Ninja Gaiden 4: The Two Masters DLC Arrives Immediately – We Spoke to the Sport’s Director About Each Addition

After a fierce climactic battle with the Darkish Dragon, Yakumo gazes upon the surroundings he has reclaimed. But even now, the shadow of a brand new—and terrifying—archfiend creeps ever nearer. Although the skies have cleared, the presence of deeper evil by no means fades. The battle of the Grasp Ninja is way from over.

Following the occasions of the principle Ninja Gaiden 4 storyline, the long-awaited The Two Masters DLC sheds extra gentle on the tales of each Ryu Hayabusa and Yakumo, who now stand collectively as Grasp Ninjas.

This DLC expands past the principle sport’s ending with new narrative content material, and in addition introduces new weapons for each characters, provides an 100-battle gauntlet mode aptly named “Abyssal Street,” and incorporates wide-ranging quality-of-life enhancements.

To entry the brand new chapters that proceed the story, in addition to the brand new Abyssal Street problem mode, gamers should full the unique marketing campaign on any problem degree (together with the new-player pleasant “Hero” mode). Nevertheless, the brand new weapons added to Yakumo and Ryu’s arsenal will likely be out there at any level after the tutorial for gamers who haven’t but defeated the Darkish Dragon.

I just lately had the chance to play the DLC upfront, and spoke to PlatinumGames’ Yuji Nakao, the sport’s producer and director. Right here’s what it’s essential know earlier than taking over the newest challenges Ninja Gaiden 4 has to supply.

The Story Continues

Within the newly added DLC storyline, set after the occasions of the principle sport, Yakumo and Ryu Hayabusa spring into motion to carry an finish to the schemes of a brand new enemy, the Archfiend Seere. It additionally depicts Yakumo, who grew to become a Grasp Ninja throughout the principle story, reconsidering his personal function in existence as he strives to catch as much as Ryu Hayabusa.

“This time, we had been lastly capable of set issues below clear skies! So, we ready places the place that brightness actually shines,” says Nakao, with a smile on his face. “Yakumo’s levels had been created with an city, fashionable setting befitting the brand new Ninja Gaiden, whereas Ryu Hayabusa’s replicate the basic Ninja Gaiden picture. We aimed for visuals that differ from [the main game], and stage design that totally embraces the essence of the Ninja Gaiden collection.”

True to Nakao’s comment about clear skies, many battlefields within the DLC storyline are sunlit, marking a significant shift from the ambiance of base sport’s important storyline. The Darkish Dragon that after loomed over Tokyo’s sky is already gone, and likewise the Raven clan has been free of its destiny. Having fulfilled his clan’s long-held want, Yakumo now should confront a brand new risk whereas grappling with internal battle, all of the whereas maintaining with Ryu Hayabusa.

An Addition to the Arsenal

As a part of the DLC, Yakumo and Ryu Hayabusa every obtain one new weapon. Yakumo positive factors Solitaire, a double-bladed struggle scythe named for the French phrase, symbolizing his religious solitude and solitary nature. Ryu, in the meantime, receives Jakotsumon, a freely extending chain weapon that fires from serpent-themed gauntlets.

Solitaire

“If you consider a scythe, you consider the Grim Reaper, proper? Yakumo, the solitary ninja who mercilessly cuts down enemies one after one other, is nothing much less of a grim reaper himself, and that was the picture behind bringing Solitaire into the sport. I’m unsure the place he discovered it, although,” laughs Nakao. “As a result of it’s a scythe, we aimed for gentle, playful dealing with in every of Solitaire’s varieties. The good scythe appears to be like heavy, however you’ll be able to wield it rapidly and easily, providing extra responsive motion than Yakumo’s earlier Bloodraven strikes.”

Solitaire permits much more agile motion and is characterised by having comparatively low threat when holding down the assault button for charged assaults. Its sustained assault can repel enemy projectiles, demonstrating wonderful breakthrough energy, even in chaotic battles towards massive enemy waves.

Jakotsumon

“Till now, Ryu’s weapons haven’t actually had a protracted attain, so this time we challenged that,” says Nakao relating to Jakotsumon’s growth. “Jakotsumon not solely extends for assaults however can pull enemies in or pull Ryu towards them; it’s a weapon extremely specialised for mobility and positioning. It additionally has methods that strike many foes directly, so when it comes to usability you could possibly say it’s fairly versatile.”

In Ninja Gaiden 4, Ryu Hayabusa wielding the Dragon Sword already makes him probably the most succesful variations of the character within the collection. With Jakotsumon’s addition, the sport provides an all-round weapon that permits much more aggressive close-quarters fight whereas making certain enemies don’t slip away.

As gamers develop accustomed to it, they’ll be capable of get pleasure from a technical playstyle, the place they may choose to make use of Jakotsumon’s versatility to compensate for actions tough with simply the Dragon Sword.

A Gaze into the Abyss

The Abyssal Street, a recent addition in The Two Masters DLC, is a mode for Grasp Ninjas looking for easy but infinite fight. Problem is about by tiers; ranging from Regular and growing as gamers descend deeper, till across the one hundredth flooring the place it’s essential to constantly combat at Grasp Ninja problem.

“As you advance deeper, enemy placement is strengthened. It really turns into an abyss,” warns Nakao. “Gamers should overcome the 100-floor ordeal with restricted gadgets. Key options of the Abyssal Street embody specifically coloured blood orbs and enemies in a Frenzied state. In a different way coloured blood orbs behave in another way, from elevating rating multipliers or filling the Berserk Gauge.

“Frenzied enemies, when defeated, unfold their state to close by foes. Defeating the Frenzied enemies assure the spawn of a particular blood orb, so it’s essential to rigorously choose when to complete them off. However the Frenzied state additionally enhances enemy aggressiveness and energy, so whether or not you spare them or kill them, neither path is simple.”

Whereas it could appear overwhelmingly tough at first look, the Abyssal Street imposes no particular restrictions like those within the Problem Missions. For individuals who merely need to get pleasure from pure, relentless fight, it is a perfect new mode, the place chances are you’ll spend numerous hours in blissful focus.

Providing the Greatest Attainable Expertise

A number of months have handed because the launch of Ninja Gaiden 4, and the sport continues to evolve based mostly on participant suggestions. The standard-of-life enhancements launched alongside The Two Masters embody enhanced fight responsiveness, added choices for weapon set customization, and fixes throughout a number of chapters.

One enchancment I seen instantly, and significantly appreciated, was the numerous discount in retry time. Beforehand, when Yakumo or Ryu fell, a few-second curtain-call sequence would play. Now, it may be skipped with a button inputs. Gamers not want to observe the display in frustration considering “I used to be so shut!” whereas ready for the retry immediate.

The Two Masters DLC arrives as we speak, and with it Nakao needs to current a heartfelt message of gratitude to the collection’ followers:

“Thanks on your endurance since we introduced the DLC. Throughout the time you’ve been ready, we packed in as a lot replayable content material as potential, together with new weapons, levels, and challenges.

“We additionally ready a totally new weapon for Ryu, the Jakotsumon, and I hope you’ll get pleasure from attempting out his first new weapon in fairly a while.

“Even gamers who’ve already cleared the sport will discover extra situations to get pleasure from and new enemies awaiting them. We hope you’ll take this chance to play Ninja Gaiden 4 and The Two Masters DLC!”

The Two Masters is included as a free replace for individuals who bought the Ninja Gaiden 4: Deluxe Version ($89.99 USD) or the Deluxe Improve ($20 USD). Additionally it is out there as a standalone supply for $14.99 USD.