Rise of the Ronin Review – SHARPER THAN EVER?
Katana fatigue setting in? Ghost of Tsushima, Sekiro, Like a Dragon: Ishin, Nioh – feels like every samurai story’s been told, right? Well, not exactly! Rise of the Ronin serves up a fresh take on this brutal era. Here’s why you won’t want to pass up on this Ronin’s wild ride through a changing Japan.
The tale of Rise of the Ronin
Rise of the Ronin: it’s basically Feudal Japan’s Game of Thrones, but with more katanas and less dragons. Although a trained badger wouldn’t be totally out of the question. You play as a ronin, a samurai who’s basically unemployed thanks to the whole “lord getting overthrown” thing. Now you must navigate a Japan that’s more confused than I was that one time I tried to use chopsticks. Think grumpy old men in robes arguing over who’s the real boss, foreigners showing up with their fancy ships and even fancier diseases, and rebellions popping up like weeds after a rainstorm.
There’s a whole lot to love about Rise of the Ronin. The narrative is a fresh take on the Samurai formula, allowing you to choose a side between the rebellion and the Shogunate. Your choices can affect the outcome of certain events as well as benefit or damage various relationships. Early on, after defeating a particular boss, I had the choice to either let him live or kill him. I chose the former, being the benevolent Ronin that I am. Funnily enough, later in the game he popped up again and I was able to ally with him and then call upon him in future missions. So, yes your actions actually do have consequences.
Get ready to slice and dice through Rise of the Ronin!
The combat’s been polished until it gleams like a samurai’s freshly sharpened katana. Now, don’t worry, it’s not a full-on soulslike experience, but it’ll still put your reflexes to the test. We got the usual suspects, light and heavy attacks, blocks, parries, and even some ranged options for when you fancy a spot of arrow-based acupuncture. It’s a well-worn formula, sure, but Rise of the Ronin throws in a few twists that are both clever and ridiculously fun.
Rise of the Ronin throws in a few twists that are both clever and ridiculously fun
Their “counterspark” is basically a fancy parry on steroids. Not only does it swat away enemy swipes, but you can use it mid-combo to throw enemies off balance. Plus, you can deflect ranged attacks with it! And get this, some projectiles actually buff your weapon, like setting your katana on fire – perfect for that extra “oomph” when turning foes into crispy tempura.
Speaking of combos, you can actually keep the smackdown going even when your stamina (or “ki” as this game calls it) is running low. Just unleash a “blade flash” for a quick ki refill and keep hacking away at your opponent like a possessed sushi chef. This is especially handy before using marshal skills. Those bad boys will drain your ki faster than a room full of sake-guzzling sumo wrestlers.
There were definitely a few influences…
However, there is no denying that Team Ninja took some inspiration from past titles when designing the gameplay. The stances feel very reminiscent of Nioh’s, in their operation and tactical benefits. And the grappling hook? That seems suspiciously like Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice’s influence, mostly for getting around, but also for a bit of acrobatic combat spice. We even get a sprinkle of Assassin’s Creed and Ghost of Tsushima with the whole “sneak up and assassinate dudes from the tall grass” routine. Although, come on guys, haven’t these enemies heard of, like, looking around?
The open world is another massive win!
The open world is another massive win! There are side quests galore, challenging foes to test your mettle, and even other wandering ronin to scrap with for new skills. You can even snap some truly breathtaking photos – who knew 19th century Japan had such a thriving instant-gram culture? The landscapes are gorgeous, though not the most mind-blowing graphics you’ve ever seen. Still, pretty enough to make you want to pack your virtual bags and book a one-way trip to feudal Japan.
There are some minor scratches on this nearly perfect blade!
While Rise of the Ronin isn’t exactly crawling with flaws, there are a few things that made me want to throw a shuriken at my screen. But hey, nobody’s perfect, right?The voice acting, in particular, was a bit of a lucky dip. You had some fantastic performances, but then others that made you wonder if they’d just pulled a random guy off the street and shoved a script in his hand. The black marketeers were the real scene-stealers…in the wrong way. Their voices were more like a bad anime dub than a hardened underworld figure. You expected them to be all gruff and menacing, but instead they sounded like they were hawking knock-off katanas at a flea market.
…but instead they sounded like they were hawking knock-off katanas at a flea market.
Also, Rise of the Ronin can’t seem to stop throwing loot at me. My inventory screen looks like a hoarder’s dream (or nightmare, depending on your perspective). Every enemy I defeat coughs up enough gear to equip a small village. Do I really need 12 slightly-different katanas that all do basically the same thing? It’s decision paralysis by way of overly enthusiastic loot goblins.
Decision
Overall, Rise of the Ronin offers a captivating adventure for those seeking a new take on Feudal Japan. If you crave exhilarating swordplay, a rich open world to explore, and engaging combat mechanics that feel fresh, then Rise of the Ronin is a must-play. Just be prepared to manage your inventory, because the loot drops can get way too over-the-top!
By Samuel Incze – Reviewed on PlayStation 5
Must Have
Rise of the Ronin is a fantastic adventure with a branching story, challenging combat that rewards mastery, and a beautiful open world. The stunning visuals, entertaining characters and world filled to the brim with engaging quests will keep you hooked, but beware the uneven voice acting and overflowing loot!
This game was reviewed using a download code provided by Sony Interactive Entertainment. The Beta Network uses affiliate partnerships, however, this does not influence reviews or any other content published. The Beta Network may earn commissions for products purchased via affiliate links that are on the website.
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