As the gaming world continues to find fascination with the Soulsborne genre, primarily pioneered by FromSoftware, a new contender arises from the East. Team Ninja, well known for their action-packed titles, steps forward with “Rise of the Ronin”—a game that contends with the likes of “Elden Ring” in crafting an experience both rich in combat proficiency and storytelling, grounded in a tumultuous era of Japanese history.
“Rise of the Ronin” takes place in a period teetering on the brink of societal upheaval—the late Edo period. The Western world has intruded upon the isolation of Japan, bringing with them foreign ideas and technology that upend centuries of tradition. It’s against this backdrop of change and resistance that players find themselves in the role of a Blade Twin, an elite warrior trained in the arts of assassination by the Veiled Edge, a clandestine ninja organization. The storyline begins to weave its intricate web following a failed attempt on the life of Matthew Perry, a Western naval officer, leaving the player’s sibling held captive.
The premise itself draws inspiration from historical moments and cinematic storytelling, promising an ambitious journey across the vivid landscapes of Yokohama, Kyoto, and Edo. Visually, players can expect to traverse an open world that recalls the aesthetic grandeur of titles such as “Ghost of Tsushima” and “The Witcher 3,” though the game sometimes stumbles in offering an immersive environment. The world is full of quests and opportunities to align with various factions, but these choices often feel like ripples rather than waves—making a small splash but failing to shift the tide of the in-game society significantly.
One might say Team Ninja’s ambition is as clear as the steel of a samurai’s katana, but with such lofty goals comes the challenge of execution. The narrative, for example, is ambitious but can feel muddled, drawing unexpected parallels to the “Assassin’s Creed” franchise. While the historical context offers fertile ground for an engaging tale, at times the game struggles to fully leverage its setting effectively, leaving players yearning for a more coherent storyline.
Where “Rise of the Ronin” truly distinguishes itself is its combat. Building on the legacy of Team Ninja’s previously lauded “Nioh” series, the game introduces the innovative Counterspark mechanic, a testament to the developer’s commitment to deliver a combat experience that is as challenging as it is responsive. Players must master the timing of these flashy counterattacks, cultivating a skill set that hones their reflexes and rewards precision.
The game resurrects the much-applauded detailed weapon-specialization system from “Nioh,” now augmented with a range of unique and exotic weapons such as the Kusarigama. This additional layer encourages players to experiment with various fighting styles to uncover which combinations provide a strategic advantage against the formidable foes that roam this reimagined Japan.
When it comes to character animations and certain visual elements, “Rise of the Ronin” may not hit the mark set by other contemporary titles, sometimes delivering a less polished appearance and lacking a definitive style.
Despite occasional pitfalls in narrative coherence and visual fidelity, “Rise of the Ronin” stands as a significant addition to the Soulsborne genre. For aficionados of the “Nioh” series or players seeking a samurai adventure punctuated by demanding, aggressive swordplay, this new release from Team Ninja is more than deserving of their time and patience. The depth of its combat system and the historical canvas it offers provide an engaging platform for those willing to delve into the chaos of the last years of Japan’s Edo period and become the samurai that history demands.
