While FromSoftware’s Soulslike games, such as *Elden Ring* and *Dark Souls*, come with a single standard difficulty, the *Ninja Gaiden* franchise takes a different approach. In *Ninja Gaiden 4*, you’ll have a total of four difficulty modes available, catering to a variety of playstyles.
Team Ninja developed the game with the intention of making the *Ninja Gaiden 4* experience both true to the series and accessible to newcomers. Earlier this year, producer Masakuza Hirayama shared insights about the game’s difficulty settings, explaining how they designed an experience that allows players to get acclimated to the combat without punishing them too harshly.
> “In terms of difficulty settings, there is a mode called Hero Mode. When you choose Hero Mode, it’ll automatically enable a number of assists. These assists include Auto Guard, Auto Dodge, and another assist that allows you to perform more complicated actions and moves more easily. The best part is, once you select Hero Mode, you’re not stuck with the assists; you can go into the menu at any time and toggle them on and off individually.”
The goal behind this flexibility is to let players adjust the difficulty settings as they become more comfortable and skilled in the game. But what exactly are the difficulty settings in *Ninja Gaiden 4*, and how do you unlock them?
### Every Difficulty Setting in Ninja Gaiden 4
*Ninja Gaiden 4* features four distinct difficulty levels, each offering a unique play experience tailored to different skill levels. These settings provide variety and a suitable challenge whether you’re a rookie or a seasoned veteran.
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### How to Unlock Master Ninja in Ninja Gaiden 4
If you thought *Ninja Gaiden 4* would open the gates to Master Ninja mode right from the start, think again—you need to earn it. Luckily, unlocking this challenging mode is straightforward.
To unlock Master Ninja mode, simply complete the game’s campaign once. After that, you’ll be able to select Master Ninja difficulty for a new playthrough of the campaign or the game’s trials, offering a higher level of challenge for those seeking it.
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With these difficulty options and the ability to customize assists, *Ninja Gaiden 4* strikes a balance between honoring its legacy and welcoming new players looking to dive into its intense combat system.
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