Ninjala 2 Interview: Why the Sequel is Swapping PvP Arenas for a PvE Open World (& New Gameplay Footage)

During the June 2026 Nintendo Direct, one of the more surprising reveals was the trailer for Ninjala 2, the follow-up to the low-key popular free-to-play PvP action game, Ninjala. However, what was fascinating about the announcement was that the developer is ditching the focus on quick multiplayer battles and opting instead for a Breath of the Wild-inspired open-world adventure that's primarily single-player.

With this in mind, there are a lot of questions swirling around the Ninjala community, so I was able to get many of these answered in an email interview with Ninjala and Ninjala 2 director Motoki Kaneda. We spoke about the changes being made to the core formula, potential collabs, if any content from the first game would carry over into the sequel, anime updates, and much more.

And for a little bonus treat, if you head to the bottom of this article, we have not one, not two, but three never-before-seen gameplay videos for Ninjala 2 that show a bit of exploration, photography, and a general tutorial. Make sure to check them out!

Introduction & Vision

GR: Ninjala 2 marks a major new chapter for the franchise. What was the core inspiration behind transitioning the game into an open-world concept compared to the tight arena layouts of the original?

Motoki Kaneda: The Ninjala IP has built a world full of diverse and compelling characters, through not only the game itself, but also media mix expansions like the anime. Our first thought was: how can we allow players to experience the richness of this world and the appeal of its characters more deeply, and more fully? The answer we arrived at was open world: players roaming a vast field on their own, meeting various characters, having conversations, and fully immersing themselves in the world. We felt that the richness of Ninjala's universe pairs very naturally with the unique experience that the open world genre has to offer. On top of that, survey feedback from players of the original game gave us a push as well — we received many responses along the lines of "I want to really soak in the world" and "I want to team up with friends to take on tough enemies." As a result, we set out to create something that goes beyond competitive play — a version of Ninjala that lets peopleenjoy its world in their own way.

GR: There has been a lot of discussion around the narrative scope of this sequel. Is Ninjala 2 going to focus primarily on a dedicated story mode, or can fans expect a robust Player vs. Player (PvP) ecosystem at launch similar to the first game?

Kaneda: Ninjala 2 represents a major shift away from the PvP-centric design of its predecessor toward a PvE-focused open world where you can team up with friends or play solo at your own pace. Exploring a vast planet, experiencing the story, taking on powerful enemies — that journey is what we've placed at the heart of this game. At the same time, the competitive element that's unique to Ninjala is something we've always valued. PvP will be implemented via post-launch updates. We'll share more details on that in the future, so please stay tuned.

Ninjala 2 Gameplay & Combat Mechanics

GR: The original game relied heavily on the "rock-paper-scissors" parry mechanic, which polarized some competitive players. Are you iterating on or redesigning the core combat system to offer a different layer of tactical depth this time around?

Kaneda: The combat in this game has been redesigned from the ground up with PvE as its focus. Rather than the player-versus-player mind games centered on the rock-paper-scissors mechanic from the original, we've rebuilt it into PvE-optimized combat. Of course, the feel of Ninjala's action — where attacks, defense, and movement all flow from the gum — is something we've taken great care to carry forward. PvP will be tuned around this new combat system.

GR: A common piece of feedback regarding high-level play in the first Ninjala was the difficulty of escaping relentless combos once hit. How is the team approaching combo pacing and defensive options (like breaking out of a combo or resource recharges) to balance offensive pressure?

Kaneda: We take the feedback about "once you get caught, it's hard to escape" seriously. Since we've rebuilt combat around PvE in this game, we're working to strike a balance between the thrill of going on the offensive and a sense of fairness where players have a fair opportunity to fight back.

GR: Will Ninjala 2 see the return of standard PvP formats like Team Battles and Battle Royale right out of the gate? Additionally, are fan-favorite side activities like fishing making a comeback?

Kaneda: As mentioned earlier, PvP modes will be addressed through post-launch updates. We'll share more details on the lineup in the future, so please look forward to it. As for fishing, which was well-received in the original, it pairs very well with the vast open world

theme and will be back in this game, too. Please look forward to that as well.

For a look back at the introduction of Ninjala, you can check out my 2021 interview with GungHo CEO and president, Kazuki Morishita.

Weapons, Customization, & Legacy Content

GR: Weapon and style variety were major pillars of the original game's identity. Can you speak to how much of the original arsenal and cosmetic catalog (weapons, skins, emotes) will return, and what kind of entirely new weapon classes players can look forward to?

Kaneda: The variety of weapons and styles that made the original so appealing carries over in a big way in this game. On top of that, we're also introducing new weapons and deeper style customization options, so please look forward to it.

GR: For veteran players who spent years building up their collections, will there be any system in place to transfer legacy cosmetics—such as exclusive ranked rewards or high-tier stickers—into Ninjala 2?

Kaneda: We aren’t planning to include a system that directly carries over cosmetics from the original. Character proportions have changed slightly in Ninjala 2, and the visuals have been updated overall, which makes it difficult to bring past items over as-is. That said, for players who have been with Ninjala for a long time, we are planning to include something they can enjoy in a way that's unique to Ninjala 2. We'd love for you to stay tuned for more news on that.

Live Service, Collaborations, & Multimedia

GR: High-profile crossovers (like the Sonic the Hedgehog collaboration) were a massive hit with the community. Do you plan to continue a heavy collaboration roadmap for Ninjala 2, and is there any chance of past favorites returning?

Kaneda: Collaborations are something we're currently exploring in various forms. We're thinking about how to bring new developments to everyone that feels unique to Ninjala 2. We'll share more details once things are finalized.

GR: Ninjala’s high-energy soundtrack has earned a dedicated following. Are there any plans to make the game's music officially available for purchase or streaming on external platforms?

Kaneda: We're truly happy to hear that people appreciate Ninjala's music. We’re actively exploring distribution and sales on external platforms. We'll let you know once we've figured out how to make that available.

GR: Beyond the game itself, the Ninjala anime has a passionate fanbase on YouTube. Are there any updates on introducing an English dub track via YouTube's multi-audio feature for global viewers?

Kaneda: We’re grateful to everyone around the world who looks forward to the anime. We currently have no plans to add an English dub track. For now, we hope viewers continue to enjoy it with subtitles. We’ll take the feedback we've received into consideration going forward.

Infrastructure & The Original Game

GR: Network stability and power imbalances among certain weapon types were challenges the team faced over the lifecycle of the first title. What technological or structural changes are being implemented on the server side to ensure a smoother competitive environment this time around?

Kaneda: Since this game has shifted to a PvE-focused open world (co-op and solo), the fundamental design assumptions differ from those of the original competitive, player-versus-player environment. With that said, we’re continuing to work seriously on technical improvements around connectivity and networking so that players can comfortably enjoy online experiences like co-op play. We hope to share more specifics in the future.

GR: With the spotlight shifting to Ninjala 2, what does the future hold for the original Ninjala? Will it continue to receive minor updates, or is the team's focus entirely shifted to the sequel?

Kaneda: We’re sincerely grateful to all the players who have played and supported the original Ninjala for so long. We're also well aware that many people are still actively enjoying matches. As for the future of the original Ninjala, we’ll assess the situation as we go. We want to continue taking care of it so that players can keep enjoying it — and we'd be happy if you'd look forward to Ninjala 2 alongside that.

[END OF INTERVIEW]

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New Gameplay Videos for Ninjala 2

Tutorial Footage

Combat and Open Exploration

Photography Course