What exactly would you like to know about Rise of the Ronin? We have summarized the possible answers into fifteen essential details to remember
Among the many notable releases planned this year, even without counting the third-party programming showcased by the Big N, there is also Rise of the Ronin and we thought it was as good a time as any to recap what you need to know about it. Da Ninja Gaiden a Dead or Alive, passando per Nioh, Team Ninja has developed some top-notch games in its long history, and the next one arriving exclusively for Sony platforms is a step in a completely different direction. With a day one set on March 22we will see the details to keep in mind among the many revealed during the State of Play.
Setting | What to know about Rise of the Ronin
Before the “what”, let’s talk about the “where”: you should already know, at least for the Japanese fans among you who put two and two together reading the title, what thesetting of Rise of the Ronin. Many have compared it to Ghost of Tsushima since its reveal, and for good reason. The game is set in Japan at the end of the nineteenth century, at the end of the Edo period. (Does it remind you of anything?) This is the period of time in which the island nation opened up to the changes brought about by Western influences. Aesthetically, something more realistic awaits us than what we saw in the various Nioh. Even if, between us, it’s still Team Ninja…
History | What to know about Rise of the Ronin
As the title says, in the game you will take the reins of a ronin (lone samurai, without a master, ed.) at the center of a conflict on a national scale. Earlier we were talking about the Edo period, at the end of which Japan was not doing very well. There Guerra Boshina civil conflict that took place between 1868 and 1869, will be the narrative fulcrum around which the entire plot of the game. The protagonist, in this sense, will be the conflict between the shogunato Tokugawa and the factions of the rebels, the latter angry at the growing Western influences in Japan. In short, a nice history book to play, in a certain sense.
Factions | What to know about Rise of the Ronin
In the late Edo period featured in the game, the world is populated by three factions that players will encounter throughout the story. For starters, there’s the faction Sabaku (no correlation with the Italian streamer Michele Poggi, ed.), loyal to the shogunate and fighting to maintain control of Japan. Then there’s the faction Tobacco, who under the command of Ryoma Sakamoto and Kogoro Katsura opposes the shogunate. Last but not least, the so-called pro-Western groups obey they act as a third pole and, as such, aim to open Japan to exchanges with the outside world and, more specifically, with the West.
Protagonist | What to know about Rise of the Ronin
The personality of hero of the game will be much more defined than the rest of Team Ninja’s oeuvre. In an interview written by Game Informer, the development team revealed that the eponymous ronin works on commission, due to a complex backstory which shaped a well-defined personality. Details in this regard, however, are currently scarce: these are all things that we will actually discover on day one, despite the fact that the narrative sector promises to make sparks already now. Let’s move on to the game world, which in turn is the undisputed protagonist of the entire experience.
The open world | What to know about Rise of the Ronin
The game will be the first full-length title open world by Team Ninja, marking the biggest difference compared to previous games created by the studio. Unlike Ninja Gaiden and Nioh, therefore, the action RPG provides a 360-degree free exploration of the nineteenth-century Japanese setting. The developers are currently playing cards close to their chests regarding the size of the map, but that doesn’t mean we’re completely without details. In the video below, for example, you can already get an idea of what awaits you in the title. And, while you’re at it, maybe even catch a glimpse of some of…
Location | What to know about Rise of the Ronin
The implications of the open world will actually only be clear on day one, but Team Ninja has confirmed that the map will include three main cities. Specifically, we allude to Kyotoa Yokohama ed Orwhich we know today as Tokyo. During the recent State of Play, we got a good look at the city of Yokohama, where the architecture shows a fusion between Western influences and purely Eastern culture. Meanwhile, also the rural areas they’ll have a chance to shine, which (according to the aforementioned Game Informer preview) will include threats, bandits and “lots of side quests.”
Exploration and traversal | What to know about Rise of the Ronin
Based on what we’ve seen of the game so far, it seems that the crossing mechanics they will be the peculiar feature of the title. Players will be able to get on the saddle to explore the open world, while also enjoying a grappling hook with which to quickly climb to the top of the roofs and then move from one to another. Bird, for its part, is the device that steals the show: thanks to it you can hover in the air with mechanical weapons. During the State of Play, we had the opportunity to admire a fluid and natural exploration of the game world, with the promise of seeing it to evolve once we have the game in our hands.
Combat | What to know about Rise of the Ronin
From a Team Ninja title you can expect nothing but good combat system. And since the apple never falls far from the tree, tradition is here to stay in the case of Rise of the Ronin. The key to emerging victorious in battle is the analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the enemy we are facing, which will lead us to choose the fighting style more appropriate for approaching clashes. In other words, therefore, it is more or less the same thing as Ghost of Tsushima. Meanwhile, blocking other people’s attacks and making appropriate parries will be equally crucial.
Weapons | What to know about Rise of the Ronin
Still relying on the pedigree behind the next Sony exclusive, we can similarly expect a lot variety. And this applies to both enemiesboth for weapons which we and they will use. In addition to traditional Japanese weaponstherefore, they also find a place fire ones. Sword, katana, bayonet and so on: there’s room for a bit of everything, therefore. During battles, players can demonstrate versatility and pragmatism by using the grappling hook to attract enemies towards them and, in doing so, perhaps even string together a nice combo, which never hurts. (To us, of course.)
Fire pipe: the pyromancer’s pipe | What to know about Rise of the Ronin
During the recent State of Play, among the offensive options available to the player, the one that particularly stood out Fire Pipe: a literal “fire pipe” which translates to a flamethrower before its time. The rudimentary variant of the weapon, perhaps its forerunner or prototype, can be traced back to the inventor Igashichi and is described as “a strong long-range weapon” with which to have a nice barbecue with our enemies. Plus, it can also be used to set flammable barrels on fire and much, much more. Finally, Igashichi also intends to invent other devilry for the protagonist.
Stealth | What to know about Rise of the Ronin
When developers literally respond to the “nomen omen” of Team Ninja, it is more than natural to expect a component stealth. And although the development team has played its cards close to its chest on this point too, it is clear from the State of Play that there are elements of stealth gameplay. Ducking into tall grass to catch enemies off guard with the grapple, then delivering a succession of hits in rapid succession is just the tip of the iceberg. In perfect Arkham style, in fact, it has been confirmed by the Team Ninja guys themselves that it will be possible to carry out ambushes from above with Avicula.
Karma and experience point system | What to know about Rise of the Ronin
With “action RPG” as a genre, one might expect gods experience points. From an RPG perspective, the progression mechanics are still shrouded in mystery, but Team Ninja has confirmed that the classic dots will return. Unlike what we saw in the Nioh series, however, the soulslike dynamic that involves the loss of experience once defeated will disappear. In tandem with this, there is one resource that we will lose by dying: the Karma. As regards its use in the growth of the playable character, however, unfortunately at the time of writing the article we know as much as you do.
The player’s choices | What to know about Rise of the Ronin
The mechanics of choice, with their consequences for each, represent another first for Team Ninja. The decisions of the players will come into play as possible choices during the various dialogues with the other characters. Furthermore, we will be given the decision-making reins regarding the destiny of our targets during the quests that involve their elimination. It is possible that this has some impact during the adventure, but in this sense we refer you to what we have to share about it in a couple of paragraphs. For the moment, let’s focus on…
Bonding Missions | What to know about Rise of the Ronin
The so-called Bond mission (that is to say bonding assignments) will play a key role during the experience, representing a further area in which the constraints linked to our choices will come into play. The various characters will have their own Bond missions, in which as we progress our bond with them will grow. By doing so, in addition to discovering their backstory, we will also obtain intriguing gameplay rewards. In addition to the new oddities from the inventor Igashichi (above), therefore, we can expect a bit of everything, culminating in the last point of our special.
Multiple finals
Appropriately, our little handbook on what you need to know to get prepared for day one of Rise of the Ronin ends with the multiple finals. Team Ninja has specified that the Bond missions will have minimal repercussions on the story, but that doesn’t stop the plot from diverging drastically once the credits roll closer. Not only that: completing certain tasks will even unlock new ones. The release of the game, we remind you, is scheduled for March 22nd only on PS5. A month to come, which already promises to be particularly… sharp.
Now it’s up to you to tell us your opinion: have we helped you take stock of the situation? Let us know below, and as always don’t forget to stay on techgameworld.com for all the most important news for gamers and beyond. For your purely gaming needs, you can instead find the best discounts in digital format on Instant Gaming.