Part 3

Master Ninja Gaiden 4's Part 3 with our detailed walkthrough, covering Ritual Room, Peristyle Passage, Zarkhan Stadium, and more. Includes controls, weapon combos, and secrets.

Alright, let's dive into Part 3 of our Ninja Gaiden 4 journey! This section is going to cover some key areas and give you a solid rundown on the controls and Ryu's impressive arsenal. Think of this as getting you fully prepped before we tackle the tougher challenges ahead.

First off, let's get you familiar with how Ryu moves and fights. Knowing these buttons inside and out will make all the difference.

Core Controls

• X Button: Jump
• Circle Button: Use your secondary or projectile weapon.
• Square Button: Your standard attack. Spam this early on!
• Triangle Button: This is for your hard attack, but hold it down for a powerful Ultimate Technique.
• Start Button: Brings up the main menu.
• Select Button: Opens your map – super useful!
• L1 Button: Block. Essential for survival.
• L2 Button: Shows your Karma Score. Keep an eye on this for bragging rights!
• R1 Button: Re-centers the camera. Handy when things get hectic.
• R2 Button: Also maps to the map.
• D-Pad Left: Cycle through healing or restore items.
• D-Pad Right: Cycle through healing or restore items.
• D-Pad Up: Closes the inventory screen.
• D-Pad Down: Use a healing or restore item.
• L3 Button: Not used in this game.
• R3 Button: Toggle between first-person and third-person camera views.

Advanced Maneuvers

• Wind Run: Press X + Square. Great for closing distance quickly.
• NINPO: Press Circle + Triangle. If you shake the Sixaxis controller, you can boost its power!
• Counterattack (Scroll Only): While blocking with L1, press either Triangle or Square just as an enemy attacks. Timing is key here!
• Reverse Wind: While blocking (L1), move the analog stick in any direction. This lets you dodge while keeping your guard up.
• On-Land Charge: Ryu can absorb Essence for an On-Land Charge while blocking. Don't let that Essence go to waste!

Key Gameplay Notes

• Ryu can shoot Arrows while in mid-air – use this to your advantage!
• He can also automatically run on water now, no button mashing needed.
• Listen for a loud "CLANG" sound – that means an enemy has broken your guard. Be ready to react!
• You don't need to upgrade the Dragon Sword to use the Flying Swallow attack. Good to know!

Ryu's Armory: The Dragon Sword

The Dragon Sword is your bread and butter. Mastering it is the first step to mastering all of Ryu's weapons. Let's break down its moveset across its levels:

Level 1 Combos

• Crimson Slash: Square, Square, Square
• Tiger Roar: Square, Square, Triangle
• Fiend Bane's Kick: Square, Square, then Push Analog Stick Forward, followed by Square, Square
• Early Winter Rain: Square, Square, then Push Analog Stick Forward, followed by Square, Triangle
• Windmill Slash: Push Analog Stick Forward, then Square
• Blade of the Undefeatable: Triangle
• Haze Straight Slash: Press and Hold Triangle
• Azure Dragon: Push Analog Stick Forward, then Triangle
• Scarlet Dragon: Push Analog Stick Forward, then Press and Hold Triangle
• Violent Wind: Square while running
• Thunderclap Kick: Triangle while running
• Blade of Empty Air: Jump straight up, then press Triangle
• Air Destruction Slash: Jump forward, then press Square
• Falling Dragon Blade: Jump forward, then press Triangle
• Cicada Slash: Run against a wall, then press Square or Triangle
• Divine Cicada Slash: Press Square or Triangle during a Bird Flip

Level 2 Combos

• Fang of the Wolf: Square, Square, Triangle, Triangle
• Blade of Nirrti: Square, Triangle, Square, Square, Square
• Violent Gale: Square while running
• Flying Crane: Rotate 360 (Left Analog Stick), then Triangle

Level 3 Combos

• Blade of the Dragon's Tail: Square, Square, Triangle, Triangle, Triangle
• Gleaming Blade: Rotate 360 (Left Analog Stick), then Press and Hold Triangle

Level 4 Combos

• Dragon Tear: Square, Square, Square, Triangle
• Blade of the Twin Dragons: Push Analog Stick Forward, then Press and Hold Triangle, followed by Triangle, Triangle

Ultimate Techniques

• Extinction Straight Slash: Triangle + Essence
• Storm of the Heavenly Dragon: Triangle + Full Essence
• Roaring Gleam: Rotate 360 (Left Analog Stick), then Press and Hold Triangle + Essence
• True Dragon Gleam: Rotate 360 (Left Analog Stick), then Press and Hold Triangle + Full Essence

We've also got a bunch of specific chapters and areas listed out with their corresponding key codes for different difficulties. These are super handy for quickly jumping to a specific part of the game if you need to replay it or look something up.

Chapter & Area Codes

Chapter 10 - Ritual Room

• Normal Mode: BG2
• Hard Mode: DJ2
• Very Hard Mode: EJ2
• Master Ninja: ZB1

Chapter 12 - Peristyle Passage

• Normal Mode: BI5
• Hard Mode: DL6
• Very Hard Mode: EL6
• Master Ninja: ZB3

Chapter 12 - Aquaducts 4B

• Normal Mode: BI2
• Hard Mode: DL2
• Very Hard Mode: EL2
• Master Ninja: ZB3

Chapter 15 - Zarkhan Stadium

• Normal Mode: BL2
• Hard Mode: DP2
• Very Hard Mode: EO2
• Master Ninja: ZB6

Chapter 15 - Stairway to the Imperial Palace

• Normal Mode: BL3
• Hard Mode: DP3
• Very Hard Mode: EO3
• Master Ninja: ZB6

Chapter 16 - Underground Passageway

• Normal Mode: BM2
• Hard Mode: DQ2
• Very Hard Mode: EP2
• Master Ninja: ZB7

Chapter 16 - Drawbridge Square

• Normal Mode: BM3
• Hard Mode: DQ3
• Very Hard Mode: EP3
• Master Ninja: ZB7

Chapter 18 - Great Bridge Square

• Normal Mode: BP2
• Hard Mode: DS2
• Very Hard Mode: ER2
• Master Ninja: ZB8

Rachel Ambushes

• Ambush #1: Monastery Annex
  • Normal Mode: BC3
  • Hard Mode: DE2
  • Very Hard Mode: EE2
  • Master Ninja: ZA5
• Ambush #2: Military Gate
  • Normal Mode: BE2
  • Hard Mode: DH2
  • Very Hard Mode: EH2
  • Master Ninja: ZA8
• Ambush #3: Hayabusa Village
  • Normal Mode: BK2
  • Hard Mode: DN2
  • Very Hard Mode: EN2
  • Master Ninja: ZB4

And finally, there are a few other sections and resources mentioned that might be useful for completionists or those looking for specific info:

Other Sections

• CC1: Secrets & Extras
• JJ1: 50 Golden Scarabs List / Normal Mode Power-Ups List
• JJ2: Hard Mode - Power-Ups List
• JJ3: Very Hard Mode - Power-Ups List
• ZZ1: Master Ninja Mode - Power-Ups List
• KK1: Missions Mode Section
• KK2: Survival Mode Section
• LL1: Xbox to PS3 Changes FAQ
• ZZ2: Prima Guide Names
• MM1: Useless Ninja Gaiden Crap Section
• NN1: Thank You Section

That wraps up Part 3! Get comfortable with these controls and combos, and you'll be ready for whatever comes next. Keep practicing, and don't get discouraged!