After Team Ninja presented its version of a mystical China with Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty, we return to historical Japan with Rise of the Ronin. In the action RPG, we navigate through a time full of upheaval as Ronin, a masterless samurai, and have the chance to shape the fate of an entire nation.
As initial reviews show, Rise of the Ronin shines with a combat system that offers both depth and direct accessibility. Players initially choose from different types of weapons and constantly develop their style by learning new techniques. Enemies come with their own fighting methods, which players must overcome by adapting their tactics.
The choice of difficulty level at the beginning allows players to customize their own gaming experience. Whether you want to focus on the narrative depth or be challenged, the action RPG offers the necessary flexibility. With the “Testament of the Soul” feature, players can rethink their decisions and explore different outcomes to the story.
The complex story of Rise of the Ronin
While the gameplay is one of Team Ninja’s strengths, the storytelling is still one of the Japanese studio’s weak points. Basically, it manages to tell a story in which the boundaries between good and evil are blurred. This allows us to get to know various characters in Rise of the Ronin who become more multifaceted as the story progresses and suddenly have to be seen in a new light. How we react to these characters influences the course of the plot and expands the possibilities in the game.
However, many action sequences seem erratic and personal fates lose significance due to historical events. Added to this is the English and German dubbing, which occasionally lapses into an inappropriate chatty tone.
By purchasing the Digital Deluxe Edition, players will receive exclusive content such as the Staff of Iga Ninja, the Toyokuni Sword Pair, the Bando Warrior Armor Set and the Formal Japanese Clothing Set.
In the PlayStation Blog Team Ninja has provided you with a guide for the first few hours.
