The anticipation for the PlayStation 5 exclusive title, Rise of the Ronin, has been mounting ever since the game was initially announced at last September’s State of Play showcase. Developed by Team Ninja, creators of well-known titles like Nioh and Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty, Rise of the Ronin is stirring up a storm with its blend of gameplay elements from Assassin’s Creed, Ghost of Tsushima, and Dark Souls.
- Rise of the Ronin is expected to release in early 2024.
- The game blends elements from Assassin’s Creed, Ghost of Tsushima, and Dark Souls.
- It offers a combat-focused experience in an evolving open world.
- The game is set in late 19th Century Japan during a time of civil war.
- Team Ninja started development in 2015, implying a focus on quality.
Leaked details emerging from a Discord server run by renowned gaming insider, The Snitch, have brought to light several fascinating features that this action RPG presumably has to offer.
Drawing a close comparison to the Ubisoft formula, the game includes various side quests intricately designed to enrich the gameplay. Even more interestingly, item descriptions are used to extend the lore, reminiscent of the storytelling techniques used in every FromSoftware title since Demon’s Souls.
Team Ninja appears to push the envelope further by introducing skill and technique trees, a quality and performance mode to tweak the gaming experience, and surprisingly, romance options, a departure from previous Ninja Gaiden titles. As we inch closer to the proposed Q1 2024 launch date, gamers worldwide are eager to see what more the game will bring to the table.
Rise of the Ronin transports players back to late 19th Century Japan, a time fraught with disease, oppressive rule, and the onset of Western influence. It’s an era of civil war, with a fierce battle fought between the Tokugawa Shogunate and the Anti-Shogunate factions. You’re thrust into this tumultuous world as a Ronin – a warrior free of any master or bonds. Your destiny interweaves with various characters as you fight for a new era.
The game offers players a combat-focused experience in an evolving open world. Just as a Ronin traverses a chaotic world on foot or horseback, players can explore a map reminiscent of feudal Japan and adapt their characters through skill and technique trees to shape their path.
Despite being an open-world RPG set in feudal Japan, comparisons to Sucker Punch Productions’ Ghost of Tsushima are inevitable. However, Rise of the Ronin carves its own identity by implementing influences from multiple franchises as well. The blend of Ghost of Tsushima’s immersive world, Assassin’s Creed’s rich lore and gameplay style, and the brutal difficulty associated with Dark Souls, creates a unique gaming experience.
As we approach the end of the year, fan speculations about Sony’s upcoming game offerings for early next year have been stronger than ever. While Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is already confirmed for the said time period, as is Rise of the Ronin and, quite possibly, the Silent Hill 2 Remake and Death Stranding 2 as well, these are third-party exclusives. The company’s first-party lineup remains an enigma. With the console manufacturer believed to be skipping this year’s Gamescom in August, this lack of information hints at an upcoming PlayStation Showcase if not State of Play event sometime in the months of September until December.
The PlayStation Showcase’s baffling omission of these titles is proof of a possible inclusion in a separate but “smaller” live stream after Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 swings by in October.
What remains unquestioned is anticipation for Rise of the Ronin. Team Ninja has released several games between when it started development in 2015 and now, some of which haven’t been the studio’s best outing due to its supposed emphasis on quantity over quality. But, this lengthy development implies that the game, with its intricate mix of action, exploration, and history, is different.
While we await the release of Rise of the Ronin, remember the official YouTube description’s poignant reminder, “It’s darkest before dawn.”
