Is Ninja Gaiden 4 Worth Keeping Your Xbox Game Pass Subscription?

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Xbox Game Pass is having a strong run lately, with recent additions like Keeper and Ninja Gaiden 4, and more games coming in October, including Moonlighter 2 and The Outer Worlds 2. November looks promising too, with the highly anticipated Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 joining the service. While Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is generally considered a great deal, opinions are becoming more individualized. Some players, like fans of Ninja Gaiden 4, might be wondering if a single game is worth the ongoing subscription cost.

Xbox Game Pass prices went up in early October. The most complete plan, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, now costs $29.99 instead of $19.99. New members saw the price change right away, while current members will see it on November 4th. The price increase comes with some perks: access to Ubisoft+ games and benefits for Fortnite Crew, starting November 18th. This is a good deal for Fortnite players, combining those subscriptions. However, some gamers are wondering if the higher price is worth it if they don’t care about those extra benefits. For fans of games like Ninja Gaiden, it’s a tough call.

Ninja Gaiden 4 Lands Strongly on Xbox Game Pass, But…

I finished playing Ninja Gaiden 4, and while doing so, I thought about how it would feel for someone getting it through Xbox Game Pass (which I have, though I played it a bit early). I want to be upfront about that as I talk about its value. Ninja Gaiden 4 delivers exactly what you’d expect from the series – it doesn’t disappoint. It’s a really enjoyable action game where you get to feel incredibly powerful, but it’s still challenging. The gameplay is rewarding, and I often found the finishing moves and over-the-top violence to be really satisfying.

I’m not easily impressed, but the game’s story is decent overall. It’s a fairly standard video game plot – complete missions, tackle side objectives, and defeat the final boss. You’ve likely experienced similar stories before. I really enjoy the character Yakumo, but I think opinions on the new Ninja Gaiden 4 protagonist will be divided. He’s a big departure from Ryu, who provides some fun moments in the story. However, the parts of the game where you play as him weren’t very enjoyable for me, and you’ll understand why if you play it. Ultimately, the question is: is Ninja Gaiden 4 worth holding onto your Xbox Game Pass subscription for?

Xbox Game Pass Mid-October and November Games List

  • Keeper – October 17
  • Ninja Gaiden 4 – October 21
  • Bounty Star – October 23
  • Moonlighter 2 – October 23
  • The Outer Worlds 2 – October 29
  • Terminull Brigade – October 31
  • Football Manager 26 – November 4
  • Whiskerwood – November 6
  • Winter Burrow – November 12
  • Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 – November 14

Ultimately, Ninja Gaiden 4 is a solid game that’s worth buying. However, if you already have Xbox Game Pass, you’re getting it – along with many other games and benefits – for about half the price. If you enjoy Ninja Gaiden and are interested in what else Game Pass offers, the subscription is definitely a good value, especially if you’re deciding whether to keep it. But if you’re not excited about the other games and perks, it becomes less clear. For dedicated Ninja Gaiden fans, it’s probably worth keeping the subscription just for access to this game. For more casual fans who aren’t interested in anything else, it’s probably not.

  • Is it worth it? Yes, if a super fan of Ninja Gaiden
  • Is it worth it? Yes, if a regular fan with an interest in any of the other games/perks
  • Is it worth it? No, if a regular fan with no interest in the other games/perks.

I Recommend Ninja Gaiden 4

Overall, I’d suggest giving Ninja Gaiden 4 a try – it’s really enjoyable. But deciding whether to buy it outright, keep your Game Pass subscription to play it for a bit longer, or wait for a discount depends on your own preferences. I can’t make that choice for you. Just consider this: the game is excellent. Think about how much you want to play Ninja Gaiden 4, and also how much you’re interested in the other games coming to Xbox Game Pass in October/November 2025. Those are the two main things to weigh. If you’re not excited about both, it might be best to wait for a sale.

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2025-10-21 03:04