Hey everyone! We’re thrilled to share some exciting news from The Game Kitchen, working alongside Dotemu, Koei Tecmo Games, and Team Ninja. We’ve got something fresh for Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound – a brand-new character from the infamous Black Spider Clan competing with the renowned Hayabusa Clan.
Today, we’re pulling back the curtain on how this new addition came into being, what you can look forward to with the latest character, and some gameplay highlights that have us buzzing with excitement.
When brainstorming new characters for Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound, a captivating idea struck us: How remarkable would it be if players could dive into the shoes of a member from an adversary clan? It’s a tantalizing dream in any popular franchise, when a game offers a peek from the other side. The Black Spider Clan, a significant presence in the 3D Ninja Gaiden chapters, has always captivated us with its intense style and memorable figures. This led us to imagine reintroducing them in a groundbreaking way, which birthed the character of Kumori.
Kumori is a fearless kunoichi of the Black Spider Clan, offering a thrilling counterpart to Kenji, our other hero. While Kenji is still honing his skills under Ryu Hayabusa’s tutelage, Kumori has already solidified her status as the clan’s top fighter. In the aftermath of the Black Spider Clan’s near downfall, she’s tasked with its revival and safeguarding its future. Fierce and pragmatic, she wields an arsenal that blends modern weapons, enemy skills, and even demonic abilities to achieve her goals. Kumori isn’t shackled by tradition but driven solely by the pursuit of victory.
Unlike Kenji, who favors a katana for close-quarter combat, Kumori handles kunai, giving her impressive range, rapid attack speeds, and the flexibility to hit targets from almost any angle. Her agility and adaptability make her a formidable combatant, especially in cramped quarters or chaotic battles.
Though Kenji and Kumori hail from rival sides, they are united by shared values like loyalty, honor, and an unwavering duty to their clans. They each embody a new generation that respects tradition but isn’t confined by it. Their narratives converge when they oppose a colossal demonic threat, becoming ensnared in a demonic realm. In a desperate move, they ally with one another—despite knowing their clans would never approve—to forge a powerful, albeit uneasy, partnership that is destined to reshape their lives.
Together, as a unified force, players can leverage the duo’s combined strengths, uniting their weapons, abilities, and drawing from a new energy source called Ki. By harvesting Ki from adversaries, Kumori’s spirit can conjure up potent Spider Weapons like the Kama or Chakram, which can shear through walls and enemies while offering massive damage and fresh tactical possibilities.
Their shared fury powers devastating assaults. When foes are vanquished using a Hypercharged attack, their collective anger amplifies. At its peak, players can unleash an explosive screen-wiping attack—a staggering display of vengeance and might. Staying true to the essence of Ninja Gaiden, the gameplay remains fast-paced, seamless, and thrilling. All weapons and techniques merge smoothly, negating the need to swap characters, ensuring the heart-pumping action never misses a beat.
Customizing your characters plays a key part too. Players can collect Golden Scarabs to unlock new upgrades, talismans, and techniques. Kenji’s talismans revolve around passive boosts that enhance melee strength, defense, or Hypercharge effectiveness. Kumori, meanwhile, spices things up with her Shadow Arts, unlocking fresh Spider Weapons and formidable Ragebound Arts to suit different tactics and playstyles.
While Kumori’s physical form remains trapped in the demon world, only her spirit tags along with Kenji. Through Demonic Altars, she can temporarily regain her bodily form. During these intervals, she accesses a demonic dimension unseen by human eyes, unveiling hidden routes. Yet, her time there is fleeting, challenging players to act swiftly, tackle tricky puzzles, and overcome daunting trials before time runs short. These segments provide exhilarating platforming challenges, strategic combat scenes, and novel exploration chances that enrich the game’s tempo and complexity.
We hope this initial peek at Kumori intrigues you. We’re eager for you to embark on the journeys of both the Hayabusa Ninja and the Black Spider Ninja in this electrifying new chapter of the Ninja Gaiden legacy.
Expect Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound to hit PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 in the summer of 2025.
