Rise of the Ronin is the last PlayStation 5 exclusive of the current fiscal year, so high expectations are par for the norm. But that’s not all. As Team Ninja’s latest game, which apparently took seven years to make, many of the studio’s fans are looking forward for Rise of the Ronin to deliver an engaging experience in 19th-century Japan.
Unfortunately, gamers will have to wait to find out what critics are saying about Rise of the Ronin; the review embargo isn’t lifting until March 21, a day before it comes out on PS5. But ahead of everyone else, Famitsu got the greenlight to publish their review score early and it’s a positive sign.
As per Ryokutya2089, the iconic Japanese video game magazine is giving gamers even more of a reason to be excited for Rise of the Ronin by awarding it with a high review score of 37 out of 40. This score, comprised of three 9/10 and one perfect 10/10, places Rise of the Ronin among a relatively rare group, even surpassing the score Famitsu gave to last year’s Game of the Year, Baldur’s Gate 3.
Famitsu’s scoring system, which relies on the opinions of four separate reviewers, has a reputation for rigorous standards. In its over three-decade history, few game achieved a perfect 40/40 score. Thus, a 37/40 is a testament to the game’s quality and appeal. The publication lauds Rise of the Ronin for its immersive open-world experience set in the twilight years of the Edo period, its accessible yet challenging difficulty settings, and the satisfaction derived from the narrative’s branching paths based on player choices.
More importantly, the review acknowledges drawbacks like its lack of polishing in a few areas and somewhat bland visuals, mirroring earlier previews. Despite these issues, Rise of the Ronin‘s strengths in creating a compelling narrative within a meticulously crafted setting stand out.
Comparatively, Rise of the Ronin received a higher score than Nioh and Nioh 2, both of which received a 36/40 from Famitsu. This places Rise of the Ronin in a favorable light. However, it’s crucial to note that Famitsu has a history of favoring Japanese releases. It previously gave questionably high scores to divisive releases like Resident Evil 6 (39/40), Final Fantasy XIII (39/40) and Final Fantasy XIII-2 (40/40).
Nevertheless, the anticipation forRose of the Ronin continues to build as fans eagerly await for the official embargo to lift.
Until then, Famitsu’s high score serves as a ringing endorsement.
