Rise of the Ronin is Team Ninja’s significant PlayStation 5 exclusive, following the footsteps of their acclaimed ARPGs, Nioh and Nioh 2.
Set in the tumultuous Bakumatsu period, the game delves into the final years of Japan’s Edo era, characterized by political tensions between the eastern and western factions.
Team Ninja’s journey with Rise of the Ronin began even before the inception of Nioh, marking it as a project steeped in rich development history.
While echoes of their past works resonate, this new adventure showcases a heightened level of sophistication and ambition.
Here is our Rise of the Ronin review based on the immersive experience we have had playing Team Ninja’s upcoming action-adventure game.
Rise of the Ronin review
As we jump into Team Ninja’s latest action-adventure title, we’re immediately struck by its myriad features, from breathtaking visuals to robust character creation and engaging gameplay.
Throughout our initial hours with the game, we meticulously observed and experienced every aspect, gathering insights to present in this Rise of the Ronin review.
Character customization and visual splendor
An initial aspect that demands attention in our Rise of the Ronin review is the character creation mode.
Upon diving into the game, players are greeted with an intricate customization system to design and decide what the story’s protagonists would look like.
Beyond customizing facial features, players can adjust height, muscle mass, skin tone, and tattoos, adding a layer of personalization rarely seen in similar titles.
Expansive open world with vibrant detail
This Rise of the Ronin review would not be complete without mentioning the vast and immersive open world that the game offers.
The graphics stand out as a testament to next-gen capabilities, with stunning visuals that bring the Bakumatsu era to life in vivid detail.
Despite occasional minor frame drops, the world feels vibrant and alive, teeming with detailed architecture, bustling city streets populated by geisha and locals, and scenic landscapes.
The ability to autorun to map markers on horseback adds convenience without sacrificing immersion.
Rise of the Ronin is a game of stealth and combat
One of the elements that we want to highlight in this Rise of the Ronin review is its gameplay and combat system.
Gameplay draws inspiration from a variety of sources, and a lot of people are comparing Rise of the Ronin to games like Assassin’s Creed, Nioh, and Ghost of Tsushima because of its open-world dynamics.
I personally felt it was more like classic PlayStation 1 games. The stealth kill animation reminds me of Tenchu, while combat feels a lot like Bushido Blade.
The concept of executing stealth takedowns from behind, offering swift and effortless eliminations, was first popularized by the 1998 PlayStation classic ninja game. I anticipate witnessing an array of kill animations and diverse stealth takedown techniques in the game.
Regarding the combat mechanics, while the movement may resemble Nioh, the overall aesthetic and gameplay experience evoke memories of Bushido Blade, particularly with its intricate parry system.
The combat system is fluid and responsive, emphasizing the importance of parrying, also known as Countersparks, and strategic anticipation of enemy moves.
The option to seamlessly switch between characters also adds depth to combat encounters. This feature enables coordinated attacks against stronger foes or provides support when one character is being overwhelmed.
Dynamic narrative choices
Another feature that needs to be mentioned in this Rise of the Ronin review is its narrative flexibility.
Players can shape the protagonist’s story and fate based on the factions they choose to support, offering a deeply satisfying and immersive experience.
This intertwining of player choices within an open-world setting at the twilight of Japan’s Edo period enhances both immersion and replayability.
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