A downloadable demo of From Software's Ninja Blade is now up on the Xbox Live Marketplace. At present, it's only open to Xbox Live Gold members.

The full version of the Xbox 360 action title, which has players attempting to rid Tokyo of a virus that has transformed its residents into monsters, hits North America on April 7.

From Software's Ninja Blade will hit North American retailers on April 7, publisher Microsoft has revealed. The Xbox 360 action game follows a ninja that battles the inhabitants of Tokyo, many of whom have become monsters due to a disease.

In addition, a downloadable demo of the game will be available in the North American Xbox Live Marketplace come March 9. And those who pre-order the game from a participating retailer will receive a free download of the Ninja Blade Premium Theme.

Microsoft has issued three more screenshots from Ninja Blade, FromSoftware's ninja action game set in Tokyo. The Xbox 360-exclusive Ninja Blade will be released next year.

With the long-rumored Ninja Blade now officially unveiled, publisher Microsoft has provided new screenshots and higher resolution takes of older shots from the game.

An Xbox 360 exclusive set in a realistic recreation of Tokyo, the From Software-developed action title will see players defending humanity from "a horrific, genetically mutating disease," according to Microsoft, when it arrives next year.

The veil of shadow has finally come off the long-rumored Ninja Blade, revealing the title to be a ninja-themed hack-and-slash action game from Otogi and Metal Wolf Chaos veterans From Software. Due out next year as a Microsoft-published Xbox 360 exclusive, the game will pack fast-paced cutscenes and high-tension action set in a faithful rendering of famous parts of Tokyo, going by an IGN interview.

The first details were accompanied by the above screenshots, with more information expected to arrive as the game's vague 2009 release draws closer.