Hello everyone! I’m thrilled to share some exciting news straight from The Game Kitchen and their partners, Dotemu, Koei Tecmo Games, and Team Ninja. They are shaking things up with Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound by introducing a fresh, original character from the notorious rivals of the Hayabusa Clan—the Black Spider Clan.
In this update, let’s dive into how this character concept came to be, what you can expect from their unique attributes, and some gameplay features that are sure to thrill fans.
During the early stages of brainstorming for Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound, the team mulled over this intriguing thought: what if players could experience the game as a member of an enemy faction? It’s the kind of twist fans adore—stepping into the shoes of a character they usually face off against. With the Black Spider Clan’s infamous style and memorable characters from previous 3D Ninja Gaiden games, the team decided to breathe new life into these elements. That’s how Kumori emerged as a character.
Kumori is a formidable kunoichi from the Black Spider Clan and stands as a perfect foil to Kenji, the other lead character. While Kenji is in the learning phase under Ryu Hayabusa, Kumori is already a top-tier fighter, tasked with restoring her nearly fallen clan. Her approach is pragmatic and ruthless, adopting modern weapons and enemy tactics, and even drawing on demonic powers to achieve her goals. She doesn’t follow tradition; she’s all about winning.
Contrasting Kenji’s close-range katana skills, Kumori wields kunai. These weapons give her increased range, blistering attack speed, and the flexibility to strike from almost anywhere. Her agility makes her a standout fighter, especially in complex scenarios or challenging environments.
Despite their different backgrounds, Kenji and Kumori share a common thread of loyalty and duty. They’re both driven by similar values despite originating from opposing factions. Fate binds them in a critical episode where they encounter a powerful demonic force. This leads to an unexpected alliance, as they choose to combine their strengths to survive, even though their clans would never approve. This decision shapes their futures in unpredictable ways.
When fused, players can tap into the unique strengths and abilities of both characters, including a new energy resource called Ki. By harnessing this, Kumori can wield potent weapons like the Kama or Chakram to unleash devastating attacks. As battles intensify, players can perform powerful moves that clear the screen of foes, keeping the action at a breakneck pace that fans of Ninja Gaiden know and love.
Customization plays a significant role too. Collect Golden Scarabs to unlock enhancements and techniques. Kenji’s upgrades bolster melee strength and defenses, while Kumori’s Shadow Arts introduce fresh weaponry and combat styles to suit diverse gameplay strategies.
Kumori’s journey gets more interesting since only her spirit accompanies Kenji. Through special Demonic Altars, she can return to her physical form temporarily, allowing access to hidden areas. These segments challenge players with strategic puzzles and combat, adding layers of depth to the game.
We hope you’re as excited as we are about Kumori’s introduction. Get ready to explore both the Hayabusa and Black Spider paths in this exciting new saga. Look forward to Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound, coming to PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4, in summer 2025!
