We like to pigeonhole studios based on games they’ve made in the past. This is why it is a surprise that the team that brought us the blood-soaked action of Nioh and Wo Long isn’t planning the same kind of game for Rise of the Ronin. In Rise of the Ronin, you don’t just carve a path through enemies; you forge it. You make choices in an RPG where you’re forging bonds with other characters in the Samurai days of Japan.
In an interview with Game Informer, Game director Fumihiko Yasuda explained how the team is making Rise of the Ronin. This isn’t old Japan taken over by demons that are all over either, this is Japan as you’d imagine it in the weigning days of the Samurai. Surprisingly, this isn’t about slaying every living thing in sight. Rise of the Ronin throws players into the turbulent Bakumatsu period of Japan, stepping into the shoes of a nameless Rōnin, a masterless samurai navigating a world on the brink of change.
Unlike previous Team Ninja games, your blade isn’t the only tool at your disposal. You’ll wield your words as carefully as your katana, building alliances with historical figures like Sakamoto Ryōma and shaping your destiny through a web of branching narratives and impactful choices.
Every conversation, every mission, holds the weight of consequence. Help a villager in need and deepen your bond with their community, opening doors to new quests and endings. Spare an assassination target and witness the ripple effect of your mercy, twisting the narrative tapestry. Rise of the Ronin isn’t just about combat; it’s about the bonds you forge and the legacy you leave behind.
“So you have a lot of characters that you meet throughout the story that you can develop bonds with, and a lot of side quests are also tied to these historical figures. And they’re also the system of forming bonds with lands and different locations. So, by helping out people in certain lands, you can deepen your bond with them.”
Fumihiko Yasuda
But don’t mistake this for a gentle stroll through history or your classic RPG experience. Team Ninja’s signature punishing difficulty remains, with Souls-like death penalties testing your resolve. Every enemy encounter demands mastery. Each parry and riposte is a calculated dance on the edge of your blade. Rise of the Ronin seamlessly blends brutal action with intricate RPG mechanics, demanding strategic thinking and lightning-fast reflexes.
You can explore three bustling cities: Yokohama, Kyoto, and Edo. Kyoto is the city that would one day become Tokyo. You can also travel across the vast, bandit-infested countryside, teeming with secrets and side missions. It’s incredible to think about, and we definitely have our eye on this game from Team Ninja.
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