Hey there, fellow gamers! I’m thrilled to bring you some exciting news from The Game Kitchen, and our partners Dotemu, Koei Tecmo Games, and Team Ninja. We’re unveiling a fresh addition to Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound—a completely new character from the legendary Black Spider Clan, a longstanding rival of the Hayabusa Clan. Get ready to meet this intriguing addition!
In this update, we’ll pull back the curtain to share the creative journey that led to this character’s inception, what you can look forward to with this fierce newcomer, and some gameplay insights that have us genuinely pumped.
When we started brainstorming new characters for Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound, a single idea grabbed our imagination—imagine playing as one of the enemy faction’s members! It’s a rare thrill when games give us a moment like this, stepping into the boots of the “other side.” The Black Spider Clan, a staple in the 3D installments of Ninja Gaiden, has always fascinated us with their intense style and unforgettable personas. Thus, the character Kumori was created.
Kumori, a skilled kunoichi of the Black Spider Clan, stands as a dynamic counterpart to Kenji, our main hero in the game. While Kenji is still honing his skills under the tutelage of the legendary Ryu Hayabusa, Kumori has already proven herself as her clan’s top warrior. With the clan on the brink of collapse, she shoulders the responsibility of restoring their legacy. She’s fierce and pragmatic, using a blend of modern weapons, enemy techniques, and demonic powers to reach her goals, following no traditions—only the path to victory.
Kumori’s combat style is distinct from Kenji’s. While Kenji excels with his katana and close-range combat, Kumori wields kunai, offering her exceptional reach, quick attack speed, and the versatility to strike from almost anywhere. Her agile nature makes her a formidable opponent, particularly in tricky areas or during chaotic battles.
Despite their differences, Kenji and Kumori find unity in shared values: loyalty, honor, and an unwavering duty to their clans. But as their stories intertwine, they face an overwhelming demonic menace that traps them in the demon world. To combat this threat, they make an astonishing decision to combine their powers, despite knowing their clans might never approve. This alliance, while necessary, is a double-edged sword, forever changing their destinies.
As players, you can harness the strengths of both heroes, merging their weapons, abilities, and tapping into a new energy source: Ki. Accumulating Ki from defeated foes allows Kumori’s spirit to summon lethal Spider Weapons like a Kama or Chakram, cutting through enemies and obstacles alike.
The synergy between their energies unleashes devastating powers. Each enemy vanquished with a Hypercharged attack intensifies their rage. Once this fury hits its peak, you can perform a powerful, screen-clearing move, a true testament to Ninja Gaiden’s spirit with its intense, fast-paced gameplay. There’s no pause in the action, as switching between characters is seamlessly integrated.
Customization also plays a vital part. Collecting Golden Scarabs lets players unlock fresh upgrades, talismans, and techniques. Kenji’s talismans offer passive boosts such as enhanced melee attacks or bolstered defense, while Kumori introduces her unique Shadow Arts to unlock new Spider Weapons and potent Ragebound Arts, tailored to various playstyles and strategies.
Though physically trapped in the demon world, Kumori’s spirit journeys with Kenji. Through Demonic Altars, she can briefly return to her physical form, accessing alternate dimensions to uncover hidden paths not visible to the human eye. But with this form being temporary, players must think quickly, solve puzzles, and face intense moments before the time runs out. These sequences inject fresh excitement through platforming, strategic combat situations, and exploration that deepens the game’s appeal.
We hope this sneak peek at Kumori has stirred your excitement. We can’t wait for you to embrace the paths of both the Hayabusa and Black Spider Ninjas in this thrilling chapter of the Ninja Gaiden saga.
Mark your calendars! Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound is set to launch for PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 in the summer of 2025. Can’t wait to see you all in the game!
