Rise of the Ronin, the latest creation from Team Ninja, takes us on an adventure in 19th-century Japan. The explosive encounter between history and action, where your ronin must choose between tradition and rebellion.
Rise of the Ronin’s storyline too much storybook and not enough adventure
Here you put on the sandals of a ronin (Samurai without a master) in the heart of Japan during the Bakumatsu era. A pivotal period in the history of Japan. Indeed, the country is torn apart by a choice that will forever change the destiny of the country, whether or not to open the country to the West. Our masterless hero crosses a historical landscape on the brink of revolution. He navigates between factions fighting for power and the identity of a changing Japan. The plot is intertwined with precarious alliances and betrayals and a burning desire for freedom of choice.
Your journey begins in the bustling streets of Kyoto, where every corner can hold a story or a duel. The game does a remarkable job of weaving real historical events with fictional encounters. You will meet emblematic figures of the time, and will be able to interact with them. But historical truth obliges, you will not be able to change it, just choose which side you will be on. This is one of the main weaknesses of the choices that the game offers us. Ultimately, they change almost nothing to the adventure, except marginally. Note that the game allows you to replay missions by changing sides. Then to continue the adventure further by taking this change into account.
Throughout the adventure, our ronin meets colorful characters, each with a unique vision of the future of Japan. Moral choices and difficult decisions mark his journey. Each decision shapes the character and we appreciate that the whole thing is not Manichean. Cultivating relationships is essential, some NPCs will then be able to lend you a hand during certain missions. Through the eyes of our ronin, we explore the complexity of an era where the end of the samurai tradition gives way to the dawn of a modern era. This historical dive is also a fascinating point. But the writers focus too much on it, our Ronin becoming almost an empty shell, without charisma.
Rise of the Ronin Gameplay Deadly Precision
The heart of the game is its combat system, a symphony of blades where precision meets strategy. Battles are more than just button presses. They require a real understanding of rhythm and tactics against a variety of opponents. Whether against seasoned samurai or elusive ninjas, each duel is a deadly dance that tests your reflexes and ingenuity.
But Rise of the Ronin isn’t just about combat. The open world provides an epic backdrop for exploration and discovery. From Kyoto to Edo, every village, forest, and temple holds its secrets, quests, and intriguing characters. This vast world lives and breathes, with day-night cycles and dynamic events that make every expedition unique. But it still falls short of the best open worlds.
Character customization is synaptic, but ultimately only aesthetic. The vast arsenal at your disposal, from legendary katanas to Meiji-era rifles, offers a multitude of ways to massacre your enemies. Whether you are more of a fan of infiltration, violent, or tactical combat, this title allows you to advance, whatever your playstyle. Movement can be done on foot, horseback, and even by flying!
The game mechanics encourage experimentation and discovery, with RPG elements that enrich the experience. Unlockable skills, recruitable allies, and moral decisions add layers of strategy and personal involvement to the adventure. However, it must be admitted that in terms of enemy AI, only numbers make them truly dangerous.
The technique is pretty but not great
If players can navigate an impressive recreation of Japan from the Bakumatsu era. We can only appreciate the particular attention paid to detail, whether in the textures of the kimonos, the reflections on the blades, or the nuanced expressions of the characters. We must admit that the mastery is not there, a lack of finesse, of finish that surprises on PS5 and a title so anticipated.
The environment modeling offers sweeping vistas, densely populated cities, and mysterious forests. Dynamic weather changes and day-night cycles add an extra layer of realism. This attention to detail extended to the game world creates a living backdrop, where every element, from the cherry blossom petals dancing in the air to the flickering glow of lanterns, contributes to an enveloping atmosphere.
While the animation is very good, it has trouble keeping up when the screen is overloaded with enemies. You have to stay in performance mode to get the best fluidity and the quality mode is not much brighter. So you might as well stay in the first mode. Despite its technical shortcomings, this title is still captivating due to the delicacy and care given to the artistic direction. In addition, updates will easily be able to correct the majority of technical issues.
The soundtrack mixes traditional Japanese instruments and orchestral compositions for epic and enchanting pieces. The care taken in the sound design, from the sound of footsteps on the tatami mats to the steel of the katanas clashing, is a delight for the ears.