The general sentiment is that Ninja Gaiden 4 delivers engaging and challenging combat, reminiscent of past successes in the series with some added Platinum Games elements. However, it faces criticism for sidelining Ryu Hayabusa, a pivotal series character, and for narrative choices that some players find lacking. Despite some technical issues and mixed feelings about certain design changes, the game is generally well-received, particularly for its action-packed gameplay and impressive soundscapes.