Honestly, the way people talked about Rise of the Ronin at launch was weird. It was this strange middle ground where half the internet was obsessed with the frame rate and the other half was busy comparing it to Ghost of Tsushima as if two games about Japan couldn't exist at the same time. But now that the dust has settled, we can actually look at what Team Ninja built. It’s a messy, ambitious, deeply historical epic that cares more about parry timings than it does about looking like a Pixar movie.
If you went in expecting Nioh 3, you probably got whiplash. If you expected a Ubisoft-style checklist, you were likely confused by the sheer brutality of the combat.
Rise of the Ronin isn't just another open-world game. It is a very specific vision of the Bakumatsu period—the chaotic final years of the Tokugawa Shogunate. It’s 1863. Japan is screaming. The Black Ships are in the harbor, the Shogun is losing his grip, and you’re caught in the middle with a katana and a grappling hook.
The Combat Is the Real Reason to Play
Let’s get the obvious thing out of the way: Team Ninja makes the best combat in the business. Period.
While most open-world games settle for "press X to swing," Rise of the Ronin gives you the Counterspark. It’s not just a parry; it’s a rhythmic, high-stakes dance that determines whether you keep your head or lose it. You aren't just reacting. You are studying. You're watching the way a boss holds their breath or shifts their weight.
The game uses a "Stance" system—Ten (Heaven), Chi (Earth), and Jin (Human). It’s basically rock-paper-scissors but with significantly more blood. If you’re using the wrong stance against a saber-wielding British officer, you’re going to have a bad time. You have to swap on the fly. It’s fast. It’s frantic. It feels like you’re actually getting better at the game, not just leveling up a stat bar.
Style Over Pure Graphics
People complained about the graphics. Sure, it doesn't have the hyper-realistic foliage of some PlayStation first-party titles. But have you seen the animations? The way your character cleans blood off their blade or the specific flow of the Hokushin Itto-ryu style is incredible. Team Ninja prioritized 60fps and mechanical precision over ray-traced puddles. For an action game, that's the correct trade-off. Every single time.
History Isn't Just a Backdrop
Most games use history as wallpaper. Rise of the Ronin uses it as a mechanic. You meet real people. Not "inspired by" characters, but the actual titans of the era.
You’ll spend hours talking to Sakamoto Ryoma, the man who basically birthed modern Japan. You’ll deal with the Shinsengumi. You aren't just a spectator; you're an active participant in the political friction between the Pro-Shogunate forces (Sabaku) and the Anti-Shogunate rebels (Tobaku).
The "Bond" system is where the game gets its hooks into you. You aren't just doing chores for NPCs. You're building relationships that change who shows up to help you in missions. It’s kind of like Mass Effect but with more seppuku and better hats.
- Pro-Shogunate: You want stability. You think the foreigners can be managed.
- Anti-Shogunate: You want the foreigners out and the Emperor back in power.
Choosing a side isn't just a menu toggle. It affects which combat styles you unlock. It changes who hates you. You might find yourself in a duel with someone you considered a brother ten hours earlier. That's the tragedy of the Bakumatsu, and the game nails that feeling of a world tearing itself apart.
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The Open World Paradox
It’s big. Maybe too big for some? Yokohama, Edo, and Kyoto are distinct, but the space between them is filled with the usual stuff—cats to pet, fugitives to hunt, and shrines to find.
But here’s the thing: the traversal makes it work. You have an "Avicula" glider. You have a horse. You have a grappling hook that feels like it was ripped straight out of Sekiro. You can go from a rooftop to a horse’s back in one fluid motion. It’s not about the destination; it’s about how cool you look getting there.
The mission structure is surprisingly traditional. You have "Grass Roots" missions which are your side quests, and then you have the main "Ronin Missions." The game lets you replay these through the "Testament of the Soul," which is basically a time-travel mechanic that lets you see what would have happened if you’d made different choices. No more starting a 60-hour save file just to see the other ending.
Where It Hits a Few Bumps
We have to be honest. The loot system is... a lot. If you’ve played Stranger of Paradise or Nioh, you know the drill. You will finish a mission and have 47 different pairs of trousers and 12 slightly different katanas.
Inventory management is a legitimate mini-game. You’ll spend a chunk of time just breaking down gear into parts. It can feel like busywork. Also, the stealth is pretty basic. It works, but it’s mostly just "crouch in tall grass and press Triangle." You’re here for the swordfights, not for being a ninja.
Why You Should Still Care
In an era of games that feel like they were designed by a committee to appeal to everyone, Rise of the Ronin feels like it was made by people who love Samurai cinema. It’s a love letter to the Chambara genre.
It asks questions about modernization. What does it mean when a gun can kill a master swordsman in a second? The game doesn't give you easy answers. It just gives you a world where the old ways are dying and asks you how you want to go out.
The co-op is also a sleeper hit. Running through missions with two friends, pulling off coordinated parries against a boss, is some of the most fun you can have on a PS5. It turns a stressful encounter into a chaotic, brilliant brawl.
The Verdict on the Experience
Is it perfect? No. Is it the best playing Samurai game on the market? Probably.
If you want a game that respects your intelligence and challenges your reflexes, this is it. It’s a dense, rewarding, and occasionally frustrating masterpiece that rewards patience. It’s not just about the rise of a Ronin; it’s about the fall of an era.
How to Get the Most Out of Your Playthrough
Stop trying to clear the map. You’ll burn out. Instead, lean into the following:
- Prioritize Bond Missions: These are the heart of the game. They give you the best gear and the most interesting story beats.
- Master the Flash Attack: Don't just stick to one weapon. Learn how to swap weapons mid-combo. It keeps your Ki (stamina) high and makes you look like a god.
- Talk to Everyone: The dialogue isn't just filler. Small conversations in the Longhouse often unlock new gear or combat buffs.
- Use the Testament of the Soul: Don't stress your choices too much in the first act. You can always go back and fix your "mistakes" later once you’re stronger.
- Focus on Ki Management: In this game, your stamina is your life. If you run out of Ki, you’re dead. Learn the "Blade Flash" (R1 after an attack) to flick blood off your sword and recover stamina instantly. It’s the most important button in the game.
The real joy of Rise of the Ronin isn't seeing everything. It’s mastering one style, one blade, and one relationship at a time. Go play it, find a cool hat, and try not to get decapitated by a French military officer.