Rise of the Rōnin is a combat-focused action RPG set within an open-world sandbox environment in Japan, 1863. Following three centuries of the Tokugawa Shogunate’s rule, Western ships arrive, plunging the nation into turmoil. Amidst war, disease, and political strife, a nameless warrior emerges to forge their own path, with the fate of Japan hanging in the balance. This era marks a period of significant transition for Japan, with increasing Western influence leading to cultural clashes. In Rise of the Rōnin, players experience this chaotic world and attempt to navigate its complexities.
In the 1980s, I was introduced to Japanese culture through Drakar och Demoner: Samuraj (Dragons and Demons: Samurai), a standalone game based on the rules of Drakar och Demoner (Dragons and Demons), but set in Japan. This sparked a lasting fascination with samurai and Japanese culture. Consequently, I eagerly embraced the opportunity to review Rise of the Rōnin. A Rōnin is a masterless samurai, reminiscent of Toshirô Mifune’s character Sanjuro in Akira Kurosawa’s film Yôjinbô (The Bodyguard), wandering in search of a new master.
As previously stated, Rise of the Rōnin unfolds within an open sandbox world, granting players the freedom to explore and undertake missions at their own pace. While main missions drive the narrative, players can freely explore the world. The game’s structure shares similarities with titles like Red Dead Redemption II, Witcher 3, and, most notably, Ghost of Tsushima.
Rise of the Rōnin makes a strong initial impression, due in part to its visually stunning and meticulously crafted graphics, where the environments exhibit exceptional detail. Furthermore, the game incorporates an intelligent tutorial system, seamlessly integrating control instruction within combat scenarios. The battles deliver the expected level of visceral and brutal action characteristic of Team Ninja titles. Players can also disable blood and dismemberment effects if desired. Mastering the parry timing can initially pose a challenge, but the game rewards dedicated practice with fluid and satisfying swordsmanship. Investing time in early training is highly recommended for an enhanced gameplay experience.
The narrative scope is ambitious and engaging. Early on, the plot takes an unexpected turn, which proved to be a positive indicator for the remainder of the game. This element fosters a sense of uncertainty, where trust becomes a valuable commodity. Players can progress at their own pace, exploring the environment thoroughly. It is advisable to utilize the save points frequently, especially considering a potential drawback of Rise of the Rōnin…
Rise of the Rōnin presents a significant challenge at times. Despite starting on the normal difficulty, the initial boss encounter proved exceptionally difficult. Even with proficient parrying, victory remained elusive. Switching to the easiest difficulty setting yielded little improvement, resulting in frustration. Progression revealed that the game’s difficulty does not diminish significantly. While some players may appreciate a challenge, the intensity this early in the game can detract from the overall enjoyment. This design choice echoes the difficulty curves found in Souls-like games and previous Team Ninja titles like Nioh. Commendably, the game avoids repeating cutscenes upon retrying sections, allowing players to immediately re-engage in combat.
Another point of concern is that while Rise of the Rōnin targets 60 fps, the frame rate frequently dips to around 40 fps during graphically intense scenes. Although this does not manifest as significant lag, the reduced frame rate is noticeable and impacts the immersive experience.
Rise of the Rōnin features a co-op mode, which unfortunately, could not be tested for this review due to receiving only a single-player code. Unlike a traditional multiplayer mode where players encounter others, such as in Skull and Bones, this co-op mode is designed for two players to collaborate throughout the adventure, with one player assuming the role of the other’s Blade Twin. However, this functionality remains untested.
In conclusion, Rise of the Rōnin is a highly recommended title. It delivers an exceptionally engaging experience with a captivating narrative. While some minor issues and a demanding difficulty level exist, they do not significantly detract from the overall quality of the game.
Sony Interactive Entertainment provided a review code for this assessment. The provision of materials does not influence our editorial objectivity.
