Ninja Gaiden 4, Doom and more games announced

On By Littum

Just a week after Nintendo revealed its plans for a new iteration of the Switch coming this year, Gaming fans got some new news from the Xbox Developer Direct event.

Founded in 2023, the annual Microsoft event hosts game developers with fresh projects to announce for the coming year and beyond. This year, Xbox gamers already knew to expect a more in-depth look at upcoming 2025 releases “Doom: The Dark Ages,” “South of Midnight” and “Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.”

However, in typical fashion for this and similar events, Devs and Studios took the opportunity to reveal new, yet-to-be-announced games or finally confirm release dates for much-anticipated ones.

Here is what was announced.

Surprise game announcement from Xbox Developer Direct

Ninja Gaiden 4

After more than ten years, there will be a new installment to the Mainline Ninja Gaiden Action Series – Ninja Gaiden 3 hit back in 2012 – titled Simply Ninja Gaiden 4. Developed by Team Ninja and Platinum Games, the game is set in a ruined, post- apocalyptic Tokyo filled with dark visuals, new enemy types and fresh gameplay that builds on and modernizes the classic and familiar features of the franchise.

“Ninja Gaiden 4” has a fall 2025 release date for Xbox Series S and X, PC via Steam and Microsoft Store, and PlayStation 5.

A new installment to the series called Ninja Gaiden: RageBound was Already announced for PlayStation In December as a collaboration between Dotemu, Koei Tecmo Games and Team Ninja, to be released in the summer of 2025.

Microsoft also announced that Ninja Gaiden 2 Black, a graphically enhanced version of the classic game, is available today on consoles, PC and Game Pass.

Other big announcements from the Xbox Developer Direct

Several release dates for upcoming games were revealed at the event, as well as insights into gameplay and development.

South of midnight

Developed by the same team behind Compulsive Games, the same team behind We Happy Fee and Contrast, the upcoming third-person action-adventure game South of Midnight follows protagonist Hazel through a Southern Gothic adventure where she confronts monsters and characters from Deep South Folklore.

South of midnight is set to release on April 8, 2025, on Xbox Series S and X and Steam.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, developed by Sandfall Interactive, is a turn-based RPG with real-time mechanics set in 1933 in a world based on Belle Époque France. Placing a heavy emphasis on role-playing, story and inter-character interactions, along with a wide range of character building and playstyle options, the game will also boast a 3D navigable world map.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is set to release on April 24 for Xbox Series S and X, PC and PlayStation 5.

Doom: The Dark Ages

Set in a medical sci-fi fantasy world, “Doom: The Dark Ages” is a prequel to 2016’s “Doom” that promises a return to form. The gameplay will be tankier and therefore more in line with the original than the lighter, smoother feel of “Doom: Eternal.”

Described by Developer ID software as a “Stand and Fight” game, Doom: The Dark Ages will feature more powerful guns, more balanced enemies and the chance to finally pilot your own mechs including a giant Atlan and Cybernetic Dragon.

“Doom: The Dark Ages” The release is set for May 15, 2025, for Xbox series and X, PC and PlayStation 5..