Ninja and samurai characters have consistently been popular in video games. Despite their enduring appeal, 2025 proved to be an outstanding year for titles featuring these formidable Japanese warriors. Numerous ninja and samurai-themed games launched on PlayStation 5, presenting diverse interpretations of the stealthy, sword-wielding combatant.
Whether players prefer rapid, combo-focused action or more deliberate, stealth-oriented assassin gameplay, 2025 offered a suitable ninja experience for every preference.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows
The Assassin’s Creed franchise centers on two ancient, influential warrior orders clashing throughout history, alongside elements of godlike aliens. While narrative realism may sometimes be secondary, the games excel at capturing historical settings. Assassin’s Creed Shadows features an unparalleled depiction of feudal Japan. The series’ emphasis on stealthy takedowns aligns perfectly with the ninja-like approach of its protagonist, Naoe, whose role as an ‘assassin’ is inherent to the title. For those seeking diversity, Assassin’s Creed Shadows offers two protagonists, allowing players to experience both ninja stealth and samurai combat throughout its extensive narrative.
Publisher: Ubisoft
Developer: Ubisoft Quebec
PS5
Ghost of Yōtei
Following in the footsteps of Ghost of Tsushima, Ghost of Yōtei includes a ‘Kurosawa mode,’ a tribute to the renowned Japanese filmmaker, hinting at the cinematic journey awaiting players. Yōtei offers an experience akin to playing through a samurai film, yet incorporates numerous shinobi elements. The protagonist, Atsu, is neither a ninja nor a samurai, but a mercenary who leverages every possible advantage in her pursuit of revenge. Ghost of Yōtei embraces the ninja archetype through its focus on stealth and silent eliminations. Atsu’s enhanced kusarigama, for instance, can ensnare distant foes. She can also deploy kunai for successive assassinations and vanish using smoke bombs. Every enemy encounter necessitates inventive adaptation to overcome challenges, a core aspect of Atsu’s character.
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
Developer: Sucker Punch Productions
PS5
Ninja Gaiden 4
Games from Team Ninja and PlatinumGames frequently emphasize speed, allowing players to overwhelm adversaries with incredibly quick reactions and relentless combos. Ninja Gaiden 4 focuses on slashing, dodging, and annihilating enemies. While many classic ninja elements are present, as the title suggests, Ninja Gaiden 4 particularly highlights exaggerated mobility and agility within its ninja gameplay. Players move with exceptional speed, running along walls, grappling across chasms, and evading enemies. Once engaged in combat, opponents can be comboed so rapidly they have no chance to react. For those seeking high-speed ninja action, this title delivers.
Publisher: Microsoft Corporation
Developer: Team Ninja, PlatinumGames
PS5
Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound
The side-scrolling title Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound draws inspiration from earlier Ninja Gaiden games, blending contemporary game design with classic appeal. Players battle through waves of enemies, including numerous demons, using weapons capable of defeating most foes in a single strike. The ninja fantasy here lies less in the blades, speed, or inherent abilities—though these are present—and more in strategic battlefield mastery. Players must assess opponents and prioritize their elimination to effectively utilize power-ups against stronger adversaries or evade dangerous attacks.
Publisher: Dotemu
Developer: The Game Kitchen
PS5, PS4
Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny Remastered
As its title implies, Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny leans towards the samurai genre, yet it shares commonalities with 2025’s ninja game releases, such as robust combat mechanics and a focus on fighting demonic adversaries. Capcom’s remastered version of this 2002 classic immerses players in a revenge quest against an army of fiends, promoting intelligent swordplay through a balance of slashing, blocking, and executing potent Issen counters. Onimusha 2 also offers a unique take on the samurai experience, incorporating elements from Capcom’s contemporary titles, like the Resident Evil series, to infuse a subtle survival-horror atmosphere.
Publisher: Capcom
Developer: Capcom Production Studio 2
PS5, PS4
Shinobi: Art of Vengeance
Much like Ragebound, Shinobi: Art of Vengeance revitalizes a renowned ninja series by revisiting its 2D side-scrolling origins. Shinobi emphasizes the extraordinary power and skill of its ninja protagonist, Joe Musashi, focusing on weakening foes to enable incredibly swift multi-enemy assassinations. Deliberately reducing the health of every enemy on screen without fully defeating them, only to witness Musashi rapidly dispatch them, provides consistent satisfaction. Equipped with a katana, kunai, and potent magical Ninpo and Ninjutsu abilities, players possess a diverse array of ninja-themed tools to confront any challenge the game presents.
Publisher: Sega
Developer: LizardCube
PS5, PS4
Honorable Mention: Ninja Five-O
Ninja Five-O, another side-scrolling ninja title from the past, was once a rare game exclusively available on portable systems in the early 2000s. With its arrival on PS5 this year, players can finally explore the intriguing concept of a ninja police officer. Ninja Five-O provides a comprehensive answer, tasking players with utilizing ninja skills and abilities to rescue hostages and apprehend criminals like bank robbers. Firearms prove ineffective against the protagonist’s speed, skills, and an array of classic weapons, including a katana, grappling hook, and shuriken.
Publisher: Konami
Developer: Hudson Soft
PS5, PS4
As 2025 concludes, the presence of ninjas and samurai on PS5 is set to continue into the New Year. Sucker Punch is preparing to launch cooperative multiplayer action with the release of Ghost of Yōtei Legends next year. Ghost of Yōtei Legends will be free DLC for all Ghost of Yōtei owners. Nioh 3 is scheduled for release on February 6, offering a comprehensive set of ninja skills and abilities to enhance its profound samurai gameplay. Ninja Gaiden 4 will receive a significant expansion in early 2026, introducing new story content and weapons for its ninja protagonists. Additionally, Onimusha: Way of the Sword, the first new main installment in Capcom’s series in two decades, is anticipated to launch next year.
