In a recent update on the PlayStation Blog, Yosuke Hayashi and Fumihiko Yasuda from Team Ninja provided some tips for players gearing up for the release of Rise of the Ronin, an action RPG set to launch on March 22nd, 2024, for the PS5. The game promises an open-world adventure taking place in the dramatic Bakumatsu era of Japan. We’ll summarize it and add some of our own so you can be really prepared.
According to the blog, one important thing the developers want players to know is the significance of trying different combat styles. In Rise of the Ronin, players can select from different combat styles for weapons such as blades, fists, and spears. As you advance in the game, more styles become accessible, giving a variety of combat strategies. Importantly, adversaries also have their combat styles. Understanding and countering these styles effectively will be crucial for success.
This ties into what we’ll tell you later, but this game is more than just a Ghost of Tsushima clone. You’re not just given a set amount of weapons to use; you’re going to need to find your preferred fighting style. Just like in Elden Ring and Dark Souls, you’ll have your own preferred meta.
The developers also stress the importance of the counterspark move but advise against relying on it too much. While the counterspark is a strong defensive trick, it’s important to mix in blocking and dodging to handle different enemy attacks. Some enemies might be aggressive, while others will try to find weaknesses or swoop in from the air, so likely the best move is dodging as much as you can.
Rise of the Ronin also introduces a “Testaments of Soul” system, which is a lot simpler than it sounds. This system allows players to replay completed missions and explore outcomes based on various choices, revealing multiple paths within the story. This becomes available after reaching the city of Edo. Additionally, players can choose between three difficulty settings: easy (Dawn), default (Dusk), and hard (Twilight), and you should never feel bad about switching during gameplay.
“The opening hours of Rise of the Ronin will bring you to Yokohama, a port city which saw an increasing level of Western influence during the Bakumatsu period. As a result, you’ll come across a wide range of characters, all with unique beliefs on the future of Japan… How you build your relationships with members of these factions is core to the adventure, driving a Bonds system that can affect how you experience the game. Increase your Bond with certain people and you’ll unlock new skills, weapons and items, which you would otherwise be locked out from. Your choice of faction support will drastically alter the games’ narrative and how you experience key story missions, as well as the people you can team up with during your adventures.”
Content Communications Manager, Sony Interactive
One thing that we’d like to point out is that this game had very little marketing. This means you likely don’t realize how expansive and detailed it is. You can play with two to three players, your character can be female, and so many other things weren’t made bigger deals. Normally, you’d find all this out through marketing, but Sony didn’t give Rise of the Ronin as much of a push for some reason.
This is likely so people wouldn’t confuse it for a sequel to Ghost of Tsushima. People who’d want to know would make the effort, but it’s understandable if you’d miss things. Either way, don’t judge this game based on what you see on the outside. It’s an action RPG with big soulslike elements, so don’t expect Ghost of Tsushima, but also don’t expect Bloodborne. It’s better to go in ready to accept it as is instead of having preconceived notions.
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