Ninja Gaiden 4 How to Play As Ryu
Ryu Hayabusa finally steps back into the spotlight in Ninja Gaiden 4, bringing his classic Dragon Sword and unmatched precision to the fight. You can’t pick him from the start, but his playable chapters and post-game unlock make the wait worth it.
How To Unlock Ryu Hayabusa
Ryu becomes playable during the main story once you reach Chapter 14, called Unholy Descent. From that point on, you’ll control him through Chapter 18 before the game’s ending sequence. He joins the story naturally, so you don’t need to complete any side objectives or unlock requirements.
After finishing the main campaign once, Ryu unlocks permanently for use in extra modes. You can then select him in Challenge Mode, Chapter Select, Purgatory Select, and Trials. He’s also available in Training Mode by opening the Training Menu and choosing Change Character.
Ryu’s Gameplay Differences
Ryu fights differently from Yakumo. His Dragon Sword features Gleam Form instead of Bloodraven Form, which adds new light-based finishers and enhanced range during attacks. He doesn’t use Berserk or Bloodbath mechanics, so his combat relies more on timing and counterplay.
He also feels faster than Yakumo with tighter dodge recovery and slightly stronger base combos. If you’re used to playing older Ninja Gaiden titles, his control style will feel instantly familiar.
What Carries Over When Using Ryu
Ryu’s weapon and upgrade progress are separate from Yakumo’s, so his Dragon Sword levels independently. Items, collectibles, and NinjaCoin totals carry over between both characters. You can still use saved data from your story completion to replay Ryu’s chapters or start Challenge runs with full resources.
Final Blurb
Ryu Hayabusa’s late arrival in Ninja Gaiden 4 brings back everything fans missed from the original games. His chapters feel faster, cleaner, and more punishing, and once you unlock him for extra modes, he’s the best way to experience the game’s pure combat again.
FAQ
When do you play as Ryu in Ninja Gaiden 4
You take control of Ryu from Chapter 14 through Chapter 18 in the main story.
How do you unlock Ryu for other modes
Complete the story once to unlock him in all Challenge and Trial modes.
Does Ryu use Bloodraven Form
No, he uses Gleam Form, which powers his Dragon Sword with light-based attacks.
Can Ryu be used in New Game Plus
He’s not selectable for the full campaign, but he’s fully playable in post-game and challenge modes.
Are Ryu’s stats separate from Yakumo’s
Yes, weapon upgrades and skills are separate, but your items and currency remain shared.
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