Hey folks! Representing The Game Kitchen, alongside our partners Dotemu, Koei Tecmo Games, and Team Ninja, I’m thrilled to announce something fresh for Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound. We’re introducing a new original character, hailing from the notorious Black Spider Clan, longtime adversaries of the Hayabusa Clan.
Today, I want to give you an insider’s view of how this concept came to fruition, what you can expect from our new character, and share some gameplay details we’re particularly excited about.
When we started brainstorming characters for Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound, we asked ourselves an intriguing question: How cool would it be to play as a member of an enemy faction? It’s something many of us crave in our favorite series, those rare instances when we get to experience the game from the opposing side. The Black Spider Clan has always captivated us with its intense style and memorable personalities in the 3D Ninja Gaiden series. This curiosity led us to think, why not revitalize them with a fresh twist? Enter Kumori.
Kumori stands as a fierce kunoichi from the Black Spider Clan, providing a striking contrast to Kenji, the game’s other main character. While Kenji continues his training with his mentor, Ryu Hayabusa, Kumori has already cemented her reputation as her clan’s top fighter. After the Black Spider Clan nearly crumbled, she bears the weight of ensuring their survival and future. Ruthless and practical, Kumori uses everything at her disposal—modern weaponry, enemy tactics, and even demonic forces—to achieve her goals. Tradition doesn’t bind her; she walks the path that leads to victory.
Unlike Kenji, who wields a katana for close-range combat, Kumori uses kunai for long-range attacks. Her weapon choice allows her to strike swiftly from various positions and surfaces. Her versatility makes her a formidable force, especially in challenging or cluttered environments.
Despite their differences, both Kenji and Kumori share core values: loyalty, honor, and a strong commitment to their clans. While they hail from opposing factions, they represent the next wave of warriors—shaped by history but not shackled by it. Their fates collide at a crucial juncture when a mighty demonic menace arises, trapping both in the demon world. Facing potential doom, they make an unlikely choice: to join forces, despite knowing their clans would never condone such an alliance. This uneasy partnership is both a boon and a bane, promising to reshape their destinies forever.
Once combined, players can tap into the strengths of both characters, blending their arsenals, abilities, and a novel energy called Ki. As players gather Ki from foes, Kumori’s spirit can conjure powerful Spider Weapons like a Kama or Chakram, which can cut through barriers and enemies with massive effectiveness.
Their unified fury powers devastating moves. Every vanquished enemy through a Hypercharged attack bolsters their rage. When fully charged, players can unleash a landscape-altering assault, a dramatic display of retribution and might. Staying true to Ninja Gaiden’s roots, the gameplay remains swift, seamless, and relentless. Weapons and skills mesh perfectly, so there’s no pause to switch characters. Combat remains fluid, keeping the adrenaline pumping and the action ceaseless.
Customizing your characters is also pivotal. Players can gather Golden Scarabs to acquire new upgrades, talismans, and techniques. Kenji’s talismans offer passive boosts like enhancing melee damage, better defenses, or amplified Hypercharge effects. Conversely, Kumori introduces a novel spin with her Shadow Arts, unlocking fresh Spider Weapons and formidable Ragebound Arts to cater to various playing styles and strategies.
Although Kumori’s physical form is confined to the demon world, her spirit journeys with Kenji. Yet, through Demonic Altars, she can temporarily manifest physically. These interludes offer opportunities to interact with a parallel demonic realm, revealing unseen paths to humans. However, this form is fleeting, urging players to act quickly, unravel puzzles, and conquer tough challenges under time constraints. These adventures bring exhilarating platform sequences, strategic combat actions, and unique exploration moments, enriching the game’s rhythm and depth.
We hope this peek into Kumori has piqued your interest. We eagerly await your journey through the paths of both the Hayabusa Ninja and the Black Spider Ninja in this thrilling chapter of Ninja Gaiden.
Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound is set to launch for PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 in the summer of 2025.
