Ninja Gaiden 4: The Two Masters DLC Arrives Today – We Spoke to the Game’s Director About Every 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 much from over.

Following the occasions of the important Ninja Gaiden 4 storyline, the lengthy-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 important recreation’s ending with new narrative content material, and likewise introduces new weapons for each characters, provides an 100-battle gauntlet mode aptly named “Abyssal Highway,” and incorporates vast-ranging high quality-of-life enhancements.

To entry the new chapters that proceed the story, in addition to the new Abyssal Highway problem mode, gamers should full the authentic marketing campaign on any issue degree (together with the new-participant pleasant “Hero” mode). Nevertheless, the new weapons added to Yakumo and Ryu’s arsenal might be accessible at any level after the tutorial for gamers who haven’t but defeated the Darkish Dragon.

I lately had the alternative to play the DLC prematurely, and spoke to PlatinumGames’ Yuji Nakao, the recreation’s producer and director. Right here’s what you want to know earlier than taking over the newest challenges Ninja Gaiden 4 has to supply.

The Story Continues

In the newly added DLC storyline, set after the occasions of the important recreation, Yakumo and Ryu Hayabusa spring into motion to convey an finish to the schemes of a brand new enemy, the Archfiend Seele. It additionally depicts Yakumo, who grew to become a Grasp Ninja throughout the important story, reconsidering his personal objective in existence as he strives to catch up to Ryu Hayabusa.

“This time, we had been lastly in a position to set issues below clear skies! So, we ready areas the place that brightness actually shines,” says Nakao, with a smile on his face. “Yakumo’s phases had been created with an city, fashionable setting befitting the 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 absolutely embraces the essence of the Ninja Gaiden collection.”

True to Nakao’s comment about clear skies, many battlefields in the DLC storyline are sunlit, marking a significant shift from the ambiance of base recreation’s important storyline. The Darkish Dragon that when loomed over Tokyo’s sky is already gone, and likewise the Raven clan has been free of its destiny. Having fulfilled his clan’s lengthy-held want, Yakumo now should confront a brand new risk whereas grappling with internal battle, all 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 good points Solitaire, a double-bladed warfare 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

“Whenever 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 recreation. I’m undecided 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 types. The nice scythe appears to be like heavy, however you possibly can wield it shortly 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 danger when holding down the assault button for charged assaults. Its sustained assault can repel enemy projectiles, demonstrating glorious breakthrough energy, even in chaotic battles in opposition to giant 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 may say it’s fairly versatile.”

In Ninja Gaiden 4, Ryu Hayabusa wielding the Dragon Sword already makes him considered one of the most succesful variations of the character in the collection. With Jakotsumon’s addition, the recreation provides an all-spherical weapon that permits much more aggressive shut-quarters fight whereas guaranteeing enemies don’t slip away.

As gamers develop accustomed to it, they’ll have the ability to take pleasure in a technical playstyle, the place they may decide to use Jakotsumon’s versatility to compensate for actions tough with simply the Dragon Sword.

A Gaze into the Abyss

The Abyssal Highway, a contemporary addition in The Two Masters DLC, is a mode for Grasp Ninjas in search of easy but infinite fight. Problem is ready by tiers; ranging from Regular and growing as gamers descend deeper, till round the one hundredth flooring the place you will need to constantly battle at Grasp Ninja issue.

“As you advance deeper, enemy placement is strengthened. It actually turns into an abyss,” warns Nakao. “Gamers should overcome the 100-flooring ordeal with restricted gadgets. Key options of the Abyssal Highway embrace specifically coloured blood orbs and enemies in a Frenzied state. In a different way coloured blood orbs behave in a different 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 you will need to fastidiously decide when to end them off. However the Frenzied state additionally enhances enemy aggressiveness and power, so whether or not you spare them or kill them, neither path is simple.”

Whereas it might appear overwhelmingly tough at first look, the Abyssal Highway imposes no particular restrictions like the ones in the Problem Missions. For individuals who merely need to take pleasure in pure, relentless fight, it is a perfect new mode, the place you might spend numerous hours in blissful focus.

Providing the Greatest Attainable Expertise

A number of months have handed since the launch of Ninja Gaiden 4, and the recreation continues to evolve primarily based on participant suggestions. The high quality-of-life enhancements launched alongside The Two Masters embrace enhanced fight responsiveness, added choices for weapon set customization, and fixes throughout a number of chapters.

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

The Two Masters DLC arrives in the present day, and with it Nakao desires to current a heartfelt message of gratitude to the collection’ followers:

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

“We additionally ready a very new weapon for Ryu, the Jakotsumon, and I hope you’ll take pleasure in making an attempt out his first new weapon in fairly a while.

“Even gamers who’ve already cleared the recreation will discover extra situations to take pleasure in 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 accessible as a standalone supply for $14.99 USD.