Ignore the haters, Rise of the Rōnin is a sublime, action-stacked, Soulslike experience.
Rise of the Rōnin has been among the most anticipated games since its announcement and it’s finally arrived after years of waiting. But guess what else has arrived on the same day? RPG’s counterpart, Dragon’s Dogma 2, and it’s crazy that they both arrive on the same day. But the review is also available for it, so you can go and have a fine read on that after this one.
This was already one of the most anticipated games, but after watching the Japanese-American historical drama, Shōgun. The excitement for the game intensified, due to the enthusiasm of getting as much involved with Japanese history as possible, regardless of whether it’s real or fictional.
When you’ve viewed some gameplay of Rise of the Rōnin, you should see comments of people comparing this game to 2019’s Game of the Year, Sekiro, and 2020’s Game of the Year contender, Ghost of Tsushima. They do make a case as there are somewhat considerable similarities between the three. You could argue that SONY are trying to create their own version of both of them. But rest assured that Rise of the Rōnin may have some similar features, but it still manages to keep its own identity.
Before we get into that, let’s discuss the story. It is set in the formerly named city of Tokyo, Edo in the late nineteenth century. At that time, the Shogunate rule has been a thing for three centuries, and the Black Ships of the West have descended on the historic nation’s borders and the country has fallen into chaos.
Rise of the Rōnin’s story includes choices that occur at certain periods, and you must choose to become friends or foes against different NPC characters. Yes, you decide whether to protect or assassinate the game’s important individuals. Whichever you decide with the multi-choice system will drastically affect the storyline and the outcomes and the fate of Japan rests on your shoulders.
Rise of the Rōnin is focal on being an open-world gameplay, where you can explore the historic cities of Kyoto, Edo, and Yokohama. You’re permitted to also create a character and use it throughout your experience. With the great character customization, you can modify both your male and female character’s bodies, facial features, makeup, hair, voice, and more to match your imagination of a Rōnin Samurai warrior.
After doing the fancy work of creating your character, you must select a character-sharpening origin that dictates your character’s stats such as strength, dexterity, and more, as well as the proficiencies. Then you select either the male or female character to roll with, as well as primary and secondary weapons and you’re all set. By the way, you can select any combination, but I strongly recommend you select the weapons that fit your character sharpening.
Rise of the Rōnin’s startling, addictive, and accessible combat is one of the key elements in what has gotten the massive attention it deserves. And with the large variety of weapons that can be used to show no mercy on your enemies, how could it not be? If you’re an avid follower of Team Ninja, you’d know that this is the department they thrive the most in. This is evident in both the Nioh and Ninja Gaiden franchises and the more recently released, Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty.
When you’re doing the main story or side quests, you’ll encounter an abundance of thrilling battles as you mix your combat by confronting your enemies from close and longer ranges with weapons from the Boshin Civil War. You have the likes of Katanas, Boshin-type firearms, and the whole shebang to mess with that would match a variety of play styles perfectly to deliver true sensations of being a Rōnin.
There are missions in the main story where you have to battle with co-op companions and you can switch between your allies during co-op battles, but the combat is at its best when you’re in 1v1 duals between yourself and an opponent, as it’s much easier to read their moves.
Rise of the Rōnin combat is more familiar to Sekiro than the other aforementioned games, but despite having some Soulslike elements, you’re able to save at any time. Interacting with a Veiled Edge becomes a checkpoint that’ll restore your health, restock your medicinal health pills and projectiles, improve your stats, and so on. But like any other Souls game, the enemies you’ve already defeated also come back.
Now, pay attention, because this is important. There are different combat styles you can switch between that are split into three main groups: Ten, Jin, and Chi. The Ten style is more effective against Katanas and weapons that are medium-weighted but don’t really stand a chance against Sabres and weapons that are lightweight.
The Jin style works against Sabres and weapons that are lightweight but are weak when facing Odachis and weapons that are heavyweight. The Chi is powerful against Odachis and weapons that are heavyweight but won’t work against Sabres and weapons that are lightweight.
You have normal attacks that allow you to unleash a swarm of attacks and combos. As well as a Martial Skill that requires the Ki system to perform more powerful attacks and can exhaust an enemy’s Ki faster with this skill. Plus, there are other kinds of attacks that we’ll go over soon.
Similarly to the likes of Wo Long, in combat, you’re highly rewarded for patience, and you’ll be punished if you’re not. So, don’t even think about button mashing, but instead concentrate on taking your time to execute your combos more efficiently. Because going gung-ho makes it very easy to burn out your Ki (Stamina) gauge. And you have to place a lot of emphasis on mastering the art of deflecting to gain the advantage towards defeating enemies successfully.
The Ki gauge is the thin light blue meter at the bottom of your HUD. Almost every action you execute and take damage from enemies will consume it. Even when using the grapple mechanic during combat will take some of it, and it’s your job to not empty the gauge, resulting in making you vulnerable or even letting it reach the red zone.
Fortunately, the meter recharges almost immediately, and as long as you’re not in a battle actions like dodging, jumping, and sprinting won’t affect the Ki gauge at all. Again, the idea is about patience during fights. This is a great way to teach players, so kudos to Team Ninja on that. At the same time, you should empty an enemy’s Ki gauge by deflecting, leaving them staggered for you to perform a Critical Hit. You can also deflect against enemy firearms.
As for Special Skills, these are the more devastating attacks, and learning them a certain number of times will improve your stats. I selected the ‘Breaker’ character sharpening, and the four skill trees are Dexterity, Strength, Charm, and Intellect, all of which you upgrade, as well as level up by buying skills with skill points and rare skill points.
Two of the best skills to use is Dexterity’s Rapid Assassinations skill which allows you to perform stealth kills to two enemies simultaneously. The Intellect’s ‘Revolver Critical Hit’ permits you to perform very heavy damaging critical hits against enemies. This skill is highly effective in boss fights.
Other than combat, there are other convenient actions you’re able to do, and traversing is one of them. You can do so in multiple ways, as long as they get you from A to B. I feel it’s best to discuss them in more detail with you. The grappling rope launches you to certain points, as long as you see the grappling rope symbol. The grappling rope is also incredibly handy for combat, particularly from further distances, helping you drag enemies and repel them and follow with a strike afterward also use the rope to throw objects such as explosives at enemies and so on.
The glider does as the name says, with the use of two historic wings to take flights across the immensely large map. This is the ideal method of transport in surpassing routes that you can’t do on foot. Plus, it has three very simple controls allowing you to adjust its direction, slow down, and open and close its wings. You can also travel by horse, which is the faster method of transportation where you can gallop with the horse and use sub-weapons whilst on the horse to take down enemies. There are times when you’re required to use stealth.
Rather than taking on all enemies, there are many instances where a simple assassination from behind is enough. However, some enemies might require more than that to be put to rest, which is why you should be prepared at all times. Anyway, depending on your character sharpening, there are abilities that’ll utilize your stealth and its attacks.
Rise of the Rōnin is definitely a great experience but there are a few things that knock this game down some cool points. One can’t help but mention the quality of the visuals. They’re not bad, and the cutscenes are gorgeous, but overall, its design presentation certainly could’ve been a little better, especially now that we’re in the year 2024. However, if you’re not too picky about graphics, then no need to worry about this issue per se.
More importantly, the side quests or open-world activities are great, but as you progress you acknowledge there aren’t many differences between any of them but are surprisingly still grind-worthy. And the loot boxes eventually become tedious with dreary items, probably won’t loot a box again after obtaining all weapon and gear variations. Other than those, there’s really nothing else to complain about, and there are far more things that await you to explore.
Lastly, it must be said, that you shouldn’t listen to the doubters. Rise of the Rōnin is certainly not the masterpiece we were hoping for, but it’s extremely close to being one. What you’re already getting with the intriguing story, outstanding weaponry, excellent combat, refined mechanics, and so on are more than enough to provide a phenomenally gripping, historical, action-packed RPG experience.
