Depending on your gaming preferences, you might either love or loathe challenging experiences. I’ve always found myself somewhere in between. While I’m drawn to games like Dark Souls and Nioh for their appeal, the added difficulty can sometimes be off-putting. However, that doesn’t stop game developers from creating more punishing experiences.
Team Ninja, known for Ninja Gaiden, has recently released Rise of the Ronin, a complex action RPG with strong souls-like elements. Thanks to a copy provided by Sony, I’ve been exploring 19th-century Japan, wielding my paired swords against countless foes. Although I haven’t reached the end yet, I wanted to share my thoughts. So, let’s dive in!
Storyline: Search Japan for Your Blade Twin
Rise of the Ronin transports players to 19th-century Edo Period Japan, a tumultuous time marked by widespread violence and political unrest under the rule of the Tokugawa Shogunate. Foreign threats loom as well, with the arrival of foreign invaders on Black Ships along Japan’s shores. Amidst this backdrop, players assume the role of a Ronin, navigating the challenges of their homeland.
The game begins with players as an orphan, paired with a friend from a young age. As they endure loss and hardship, the children are taken in by “The Blacksmith,” a warrior known for his honor. The two orphans are transformed under his guidance into the deadly duo known as the “Veiled Edge.“
These warriors are bound by a code to protect their clan and uphold their honor. Honor plays a significant role in the game, reflecting the values of the era. The Black Ships, representing a US Navy Expedition, symbolize the external pressures facing the Shogunate to open Japan to foreign influence.
Sent on a mission to retrieve a letter from Commodore Matthew Perry, our plans go awry, leading to the supposed death of our “Blade Twin” and forcing us to flee.
At my current point in the game, the story has taken numerous twists and turns. Searching Japan for my lost companion has had me darting in multiple directions, engaging with various characters. It appears that the journey is about to become even more intriguing.
Character Customization: Create Your Veiled Edge
Rise of the Ronin, despite its twists and turns, follows a predetermined path. However, the game allows players to start by designing their own Veiled Edge. While the game provides clear explanations for the various aspects, I admit I was initially a bit confused. Fortunately, this confusion was short-lived.
Once I understood, I spent a considerable amount of time customizing my character. However, lacking creativity in RPGs, I mostly stuck with Team Ninja’s default formula, making minor tweaks.
As expected, Rise of the Ronin features a class system, here called “Blade Sharpening Origin.” Players can choose from various classes that either enhance their combat prowess or hinder it. Opting for the Breaker class, known for its deadly abilities, I began my journey.
Don’t worry too much about it. You can always purchase skills from other classes later on. However, I recommend taking a moment or two to consider your choices.
Gameplay: The Deadly Dance
I’ll admit, I’m not particularly accustomed to souls-like experiences. Although Rise of the Ronin only partially falls into that category, it does share some similar elements. This includes respawning at banners upon death and the overall combat system. However, combat in this game is approached differently. While titles like Ghost of Tsushima offer a sense of stability in movement and attacks, Ronin provides a much more fluid and flexible combat style.
After spending several hours with the game, one thing has become abundantly clear: it’s going to be a challenging journey. Rise of the Ronin blends sword combat with quick thinking and a variety of gadgets, creating a complex and engaging experience.
At its core, combat in Rise of the Ronin is straightforward: keep your sword at the ready and react swiftly. Parry the moment the enemy strikes and then seize the opportunity to strike back. However, executing this is far more challenging than it sounds.
The AI in Rise of the Ronin is exceptionally fast and unforgiving. Beyond simply button-mashing when an opening appears, the game demands that you maintain a rapid pace and closely observe your enemies. Their tactics can and will change based on their weapon and combat style, requiring you to adapt accordingly.
While I’m starting to get the hang of it, there are aspects I hope to become more accustomed to. Initially, the mechanics felt somewhat clunky and unrefined, leading to instances where I’d get stuck in animations and struggle to dodge even with perfect timing.
Credit must be given where it’s due, though. Rise of the Ronin delivers a visceral experience with its graphic violence. After enduring challenges, it was remarkably satisfying to decapitate enemies and witness blood spurting everywhere. Team Ninja’s unapologetic approach to this aspect of the game is commendable.
It’s too early to make a final judgment on the gameplay and combat mechanics of Rise of the Ronin. However, the game’s increased difficulty, characteristic of Team Ninja, along with its intricacies, gives me hope for the overall experience.
Stats and Combat Style Enhance Gameplay
In addition to the game’s core combat, Rise of the Ronin offers various elements to enhance your battle capabilities. As an action RPG, Rise of the Ronin focuses heavily on character progression, with stats divided into four key attributes: Strength, Dexterity, Charm, and Intellect.
Players can increase these attributes by earning and spending Skill Points. Similar to skill trees in games like Tsushima and even Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, I found navigating the skill tree to be straightforward. Depending on your preferred playstyle, you can allocate points to enhance your character in various ways.
The Combat Style features a comprehensive move list that varies depending on the weapon. While the basic controls remain consistent, Rise of the Ronin offers a wide range of unique attacks that enhance your combat prowess.
As expected, I was able to equip all unlocked weapons and armor through the Equipment screen. Although it was a bit confusing at first, Ronin’s traditional RPG approach helped me identify the best weapons and companion items to use.
Rise of the Ronin delves much deeper into these initial systems, and I intend to explore them all. However, like the other aspects mentioned, it will require a fair amount of experimentation, and I am optimistic about it.
Rise of the Ronin: A Journey I’m Eager to Embark On
As I sat down to jot down my initial thoughts on Rise of the Ronin, I found myself grappling with mixed feelings. Not because I dislike the game or because I was hungry; rather, it’s because I feel oddly excited about it. As someone who has predominantly delved into story-rich adventures for years, this game presents a fresh approach to storytelling and RPG elements, while also being something entirely different.
With combat mechanics reminiscent of Dark Souls and a world that evokes memories of Jin Sakai’s struggles in Tsushima, Rise of the Ronin follows a similar path while forging its own unique identity. Only time will reveal whether the journey the game is leading me on will be rewarding.
Fortunately, you won’t have to wait long, as I am currently immersed in the game, and our full review will be available very soon. Stay tuned!
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