Look, let’s be real. When Team Ninja announced an open-world action RPG set in the Bakumatsu period, everyone expected brutal combat and punishing boss fights. We got that. But what most people didn't see coming—or at least didn't expect to be so deep—was the Rise of the Ronin romance system. It’s not just some tacked-on BioWare clone. It’s messy, historical, and honestly, a little bit stressful if you're trying to play the field while the Shogunate is collapsing around you.
You’re a Veiled Edge. You’re supposed to be a cold-blooded killer. Yet, here you are, picking out dried flowers and expensive cigars for a samurai who might try to kill you in the next main story mission. That’s the charm.
The game calls these "Favor" relationships. It’s basically a complex web of "Bond Levels" that dictate how much a character trusts you, and for a select few, how much they want to be "intimate" with you. But don't expect a simple heart icon to solve your problems. In a world defined by the Pro-Shogunate and Anti-Shogunate conflict, your political choices actually matter. If you side with the rebels, don't expect the Shogun’s elite guard to want to hold hands under the cherry blossoms.
Who Can You Actually Date?
It’s a decent list. You’ve got about 13 options, and Team Ninja didn't restrict them by gender. Whether you’re playing a male or female Ronin, the heart wants what it wants.
Princess Atsuko is a fan favorite for a reason. She’s regal, composed, and represents the high-stakes world of the Kyoto court. Then you have Ryoma Sakamoto. Ryoma is basically the protagonist of his own anime who just happens to be in your game. His romance arc feels central to the plot because, well, he is the plot. His easy-going nature masks a lot of pain, and breaking through that shell feels earned.
Then there’s Usugumo Dayu. She’s a geisha in the Miyozaki pleasure district. Her questline involves a lot of cats. No, seriously. If you want to win her over, you’re going to be spent hours finding stray cats across the map. It’s a weirdly wholesome break from the decapitations.
Don't forget the more "dangerous" options like Genzui Kusaka or the cold, calculating Shinsaku Takasugi. These men are revolutionaries. Their lives are short and violent. The romance reflects that—it's fleeting, intense, and often interrupted by the sound of gunfire and the smell of black powder.
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How the Bond System Actually Works
You can't just spam gifts. Well, you can, but it’s expensive.
First, you have to unlock the character's Bond. This usually happens through "Bond Missions." These are specific side quests that flesh out their backstories. Completing these is non-negotiable. You’ll also notice a "Favor" bar. This is separate from the standard Bond level. While Bond measures your friendship and combat synergy, Favor measures romantic interest.
Conversation choices matter. During dialogue, you’ll see icons. A heart icon is the obvious "flirt" button. Use it. But be careful. If you’re too aggressive too early, or if your personality doesn't align with their ideals, you might just get a polite deflection. The game uses a system called "Veiled Vow." This is the official "we are dating" status.
The Art of Gift Giving
Giving gifts is the fastest way to bridge the gap. Every character has specific tastes.
- Ryoma Sakamoto loves fine sake and anything related to Western culture.
- Princess Atsuko prefers traditional Japanese sweets and elegant trinkets.
- Matthew Perry (yes, that Matthew Perry) likes cigars and Western booze.
You find these items at traders, as mission rewards, or just by looting chests in the world. Pro tip: check the item description. It’ll often hint at who would like it. If you give a character something they hate, the Favor bar barely moves. Give them a "Best" gift, and you'll see a significant jump.
The Complication: Can You Have Multiple Lovers?
Yes. But also, no.
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Rise of the Ronin allows you to enter "Veiled Vows" with multiple characters. You can be the ultimate 19th-century player. However, the game isn't oblivious. If you are in a committed relationship with one character and try to start another, they might find out.
There’s a specific mechanic for "Cheating." If you're caught, or if the news gets back to your primary partner, your Favor level with them will plummet. They might even break up with you. To fix it, you have to go through a "reconciliation" process which usually involves more gifts and a lot of apologizing. It adds a layer of social stealth to the game that I honestly didn't expect.
Some characters are more jealous than others. Inejiro Asai, for instance, is a bit more forgiving than the more intense warriors. It’s a nuanced system that tracks your "infidelity" in a way that feels surprisingly modern for a game set in the 1860s.
Why This System Succeeds Where Others Fail
Most RPG romances feel like a vending machine. You put in three "nice" comments and a gold ring, and out pops a sex scene and a trophy. Rise of the Ronin romance feels more like a partnership.
Because these characters are also your "Allies" in combat, the romance has gameplay benefits. High Bond levels unlock new combat stances, passive buffs, and better loot drops. When you take your lover into a mission, they fight harder. They support you better. It bridges the gap between the narrative and the mechanics.
You aren't just dating them because they’re pretty; you’re dating them because they’re the only person who has your back when 50 Shogunate guards are trying to take your head. It’s "us against the world" in the most literal sense.
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The historical context adds a layer of tragedy. This was a time of massive upheaval. People died. Alliances shifted overnight. Loving someone in this era meant accepting that they might be on the opposite side of a barricade tomorrow. Team Ninja leans into this. Some romance arcs don't have a "happy" ending in the traditional sense because history gets in the way.
Navigating the Political Divide
Your choices in the main story—whether you support the Sabaku (Pro-Shogunate) or Tobaku (Anti-Shogunate) factions—will lock or unlock certain interactions.
If you go full Anti-Shogunate, gaining Favor with someone like Taka Yokohama becomes significantly harder. The game forces you to choose between your political convictions and your heart. It’s a fantastic way to make the world feel reactive. You aren't a ghost moving through history; you're an active participant whose social life is tied to the blood being spilled in the streets of Edo.
Practical Tips for Maxing Relationships
- Prioritize Bond Missions: Don't let them sit in your quest log. They expire or become unavailable as the story progresses into new chapters.
- Use the "Testament of the Soul": This is the game's chapter-select feature. If you missed a romance opportunity or made a choice that upset a partner, you can go back in time to fix it. This is a godsend for completionists.
- Check your Longhouse: Your home base is where most of the romantic development happens. Characters will visit you. Talk to them every time you return from a mission.
- Watch the Gifts: Don't waste "Rare" gifts on characters you aren't actively pursuing. Resources are tight in the early game.
The Rise of the Ronin romance isn't just a side activity. It’s the emotional core of the game. It turns a historical power struggle into a personal journey. Whether you're trying to woo a princess or a revolutionary, the journey is worth the effort.
Actionable Insights for Your Playthrough
To make the most of your romantic endeavors in Bakumatsu-era Japan, keep these specific steps in mind:
- Focus on one "Veiled Vow" at a time if you want to avoid the messy reconciliation mechanics and potential Favor penalties.
- Invest in the "Charm" skill tree early. This unlocks dialogue options that make it much easier to gain Favor during key story moments.
- Collect every cat you see. If you plan on romancing Usugumo Dayu, you need dozens of them to progress her favor.
- Save your "Testament of the Soul" runs for the end-game if you want to see every romantic conclusion without starting a new save file.
- Equip the "Bond" accessory items that occasionally drop from missions; they provide a percentage boost to all relationship gains.
By treating the characters as more than just stat-boosters, you'll find a much richer experience hidden beneath the swordplay. The political landscape of Japan is shifting, but your bond with your chosen partner can be the one constant in the chaos. Keep your blade sharp and your gift bag full.