On paper, Xbox Game Pass is in the midst of a hot streak. It recently added Double Fine's Keeper and Ninja Gaiden 4with Moonlighters 2 and The Outer Worlds 2 round out October (along with many other options). In November will also be added Call of Duty: Black Ops 7one of the biggest franchises in the world, along with other games. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate remains arguably one of the best values in gaming, but that sentiment has recently shifted from more widely accepted to more personally applicable. For example, Ninja Gaiden 4 fans may be curious as to whether this single game alone justifies the continued cost of Xbox Game Pass.
In early October, Xbox Game Pass prices went up across the board. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, its most comprehensive tier, has increased from $19.99 to $29.99, with the new price effective immediately for new subscribers and November 4 for current subscribers. Alongside this price increase will be Ubisoft+ titles and Fortnite Crew perks (starting November 18). It's good for Fortnite players, as it effectively combines the two, but there are undoubtedly fans who are curious about whether it's worth it if they don't like those benefits. Like many situations, too Ninja Gaiden fans, it's hard maybe?
Ninja Gaiden 4 lands strong on Xbox Game Pass, but…
I have struck Ninja Gaiden 4and as I played through it, I tried to think of it from an Xbox Game Pass subscriber perspective (which I am, but I played it early). I say that for full transparency when I rant about the cost of it. Ninja Gaiden 4 is about what you'd expect it to be, so I don't think it defies any expectations on its own. It's a fun hack-and-slash-style action game that excels at power fantasy without taking away the challenge. It's a challenge that rewards players in the game from moment to moment because more than once, the finishers and gore got a pop out of me.
Trust me, I don't give a damn about anything. Beyond the core battle, the story is good. I don't think it's the best story in the world, so if that's what you're looking for, you've definitely played this story in video games before: complete the objectives, complete a shorter set of objectives, kill the final boss. It's your attitude. I like Yakumo a lot, but I could see players splitting on the new one Ninja Gaiden 4 protagonist. He's very different from Ryu, whose role in the story is mostly fun, but his playable episode (confirmed before release) got more groans from me than anything else. You'll see why when/if you play; it's pretty obvious why those episodes are my least favorite. All this said: is Ninja Gaiden 4 worth keeping your Xbox Game Pass subscription for?
Xbox Game Pass Mid October and November Playlist
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Keeper – October 17
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Ninja Gaiden October 4 – 21
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Bounty Star – October 23
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Moonlighter October 2 – 23
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The Outer Worlds 2 – 29 October
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Terminull Brigade – 31 October
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Football Manager 26 – November 4
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Whiskerwood – November 6th
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Winter Burrow – November 12
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Call of Duty: Black Ops November 7 – 14
All of this is to say that Ninja Gaiden 4 is a very good game, one worth the one time price to just buy it outright. In other words, if you subscribe to Xbox Game Pass, you're basically paying half price to get access to this game, others, and the perks. Based on what I've played, I think the Xbox Game Pass subscription cost is great if you want Ninja Gaiden and also looking forward to any of the above games/perks, especially when asking if it's worth keeping the subscription. Where it gets murky is if you're not fascinated by the list above. I think if you are a super Ninja Gaiden heck, so yeah, it's worth it — at least for the access to the game, for a good while. If you're an average fan and not interested in any of the above, then no. It's a tricky line to walk.
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Is it worth it? Yes, if a super fan of Ninja Gaiden
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Is it worth it? Yes, if a regular fan with an interest in any of the other games/perks
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Is it worth it? No, if a casual fan with no interest in the other games/perks.
I recommend Ninja Gaiden 4
At the end of the day, I recommend playing Ninja Gaiden 4. It's a lot of fun, but whether it's better to buy it outright, keep Game Pass to play it (at least a little longer), or wait until it goes on sale is a deeply personal decision. I'm not here to make that decision for you, but as food for thought: the game is damn good. How much do you want to play? Ninja Gaiden 4? How much do you want to play the rest of the upcoming October/November 2025 Xbox Game Pass series? Those are the two biggest factors to consider right now. If your answers aren't a universal yes to both, the waters are getting very murky, and it might be wise to wait for a sale.
- Released
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21 October 2025
- ESRB
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Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, intense violence, strong language, suggestive themes
- Publisher
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Xbox Game Studios
