It's been a month since I beat Rise of the Ronin. I really wanted to like this game more but unfortunately after the first 10 hours of gameplay, it simply fell off. At first I was loving the combat, the open world aspects, Sakamoto Ryoma and the fact that it is set during the Bakumatsu but at some point I found myself running through the main story just to beat it.
I was very excited for the combat since you'd only fight Humanoid enemies, which are typically the best encounters in FromSoftware titles and Soulslikes in my opinion. There's a decent amount of variety with the weapons and each weapon-type has access to 3 slots of "stances" that you can customize, and will act as a rock-paper-scissor system against enemies. Meaning you get different playstyles and they'll either be effective or not effective depending on who you fight. Counterspark/Parrying is an alright mechanic but it isn't as clean as Sekiro, Stellar Blade or even Lies of P, it's kind of weird how it can also serve as an attack except it's just bad when it is used like that.
When you're only fighting Humanoid enemies and bosses, if you're not introducing new and interesting movesets/patterns that are hard to deal with but instead just throw in another enemy, it removes all the fun from actually struggling and learning how to read your opponent. There is maybe one fight that actually skill checks you and it is in early game, after that all the fights that are annoying are the gank fights. I only used the support characters to help me clear the levels but I removed them as soon as I got to the boss encounters. Anyhow this game made me learn to actually appreciate beast/monster-type enemies, you know the big ones that really mess with your camera LOL. The reason why is because when you finally get to those Humanoid bosses, it feels good to fight them since all you've been fighting prior are those big monsters where you have no vision because they take up the whole screen and half of the fight is versus your camera. This is not the case here, like I said earlier you just fight humans who doesn't necessarily get stronger, you just fight an extra person or two and that doesn't make it more fun. I wanted clean one versus one swordfight battles where I have to figure out how to parry their onslaught attacks and have them beat my ass over and over again until I finally pick up on it, and each encounter should've been unique. I don't really have a favorite fight because it all just felt the same.
At this point I don't recall much from the story but the setting is cool and there were a few characters I enjoyed like Sakamoto Ryoma, Kaishu Katsu and Kogoro Katsura. It would've been nice if the MC actually talked more because they do talk BUT most of the time, they're just silent so it makes you feel disconnected.
When I first stepped into Yokohama, I was really excited to explore everything because the map was huge and there was a lot to do. I actually thought that the entire game would take place here but then I learned that there were more maps just as big and that's when I gave up on exploring and only pushed the story. It makes sense that it isn't the only area because of Kyoto and Edo but still, I wasn't willing to go through the Ubisoft loop multiple times.
Rise of the Ronin is a decent experience, however I wouldn't recommend grabbing it for full price. For the most part it has unimpressive graphics especially for a PS5 exclusive title with the frame rate dropping constantly on Performance Mode however I heard there was a patch that helped but I can't confirm because I beat the game before that went live. It does somewhat scratch that Sekiro itch but it is definitely not up there, hell I don't even think this game is that much better than Team Ninja's previous game Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty.
I was very excited for the combat since you'd only fight Humanoid enemies, which are typically the best encounters in FromSoftware titles and Soulslikes in my opinion. There's a decent amount of variety with the weapons and each weapon-type has access to 3 slots of "stances" that you can customize, and will act as a rock-paper-scissor system against enemies. Meaning you get different playstyles and they'll either be effective or not effective depending on who you fight. Counterspark/Parrying is an alright mechanic but it isn't as clean as Sekiro, Stellar Blade or even Lies of P, it's kind of weird how it can also serve as an attack except it's just bad when it is used like that.
When you're only fighting Humanoid enemies and bosses, if you're not introducing new and interesting movesets/patterns that are hard to deal with but instead just throw in another enemy, it removes all the fun from actually struggling and learning how to read your opponent. There is maybe one fight that actually skill checks you and it is in early game, after that all the fights that are annoying are the gank fights. I only used the support characters to help me clear the levels but I removed them as soon as I got to the boss encounters. Anyhow this game made me learn to actually appreciate beast/monster-type enemies, you know the big ones that really mess with your camera LOL. The reason why is because when you finally get to those Humanoid bosses, it feels good to fight them since all you've been fighting prior are those big monsters where you have no vision because they take up the whole screen and half of the fight is versus your camera. This is not the case here, like I said earlier you just fight humans who doesn't necessarily get stronger, you just fight an extra person or two and that doesn't make it more fun. I wanted clean one versus one swordfight battles where I have to figure out how to parry their onslaught attacks and have them beat my ass over and over again until I finally pick up on it, and each encounter should've been unique. I don't really have a favorite fight because it all just felt the same.
At this point I don't recall much from the story but the setting is cool and there were a few characters I enjoyed like Sakamoto Ryoma, Kaishu Katsu and Kogoro Katsura. It would've been nice if the MC actually talked more because they do talk BUT most of the time, they're just silent so it makes you feel disconnected.
When I first stepped into Yokohama, I was really excited to explore everything because the map was huge and there was a lot to do. I actually thought that the entire game would take place here but then I learned that there were more maps just as big and that's when I gave up on exploring and only pushed the story. It makes sense that it isn't the only area because of Kyoto and Edo but still, I wasn't willing to go through the Ubisoft loop multiple times.
Rise of the Ronin is a decent experience, however I wouldn't recommend grabbing it for full price. For the most part it has unimpressive graphics especially for a PS5 exclusive title with the frame rate dropping constantly on Performance Mode however I heard there was a patch that helped but I can't confirm because I beat the game before that went live. It does somewhat scratch that Sekiro itch but it is definitely not up there, hell I don't even think this game is that much better than Team Ninja's previous game Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty.
Didn't pay much addition to the story but the combat is very fun and the only reason I spent so many hours on it
It was okay. It was generally solid with a lot of story, but just doesn't really have any high points or epic moments.
i am so fucking tired of every game being sekiro. please god can one acton game come out where you do something besides read animations and deflect on the right key frames. can one historical game about the tokugawa shogunate have some personality to it and not be more boring than reading a book about the actual events. can one open world game come out and have shit to do in it thats fun and beneficial for more than just clearing icons and getting bigger numbers. anyway, Like a Dragon: Ishin! is available now on digital storefronts everywhere
I like Ronin, I do. But I really wanted to love it. Everything about this game speaks to me; the setting, the combat, the narrative. It's so good, at least conceptually.
Unfortunately, at the end of my 40 something hours with Rise of the Ronin: I was left a little underwhelmed. Overall, as an open world title, Ronin has the basics down - it just doesn't evolve out from there. Ronin doesn't do nothing necessarily unique or special with it's open world - and that's not necessarily a bad thing. I think it's important to frame Ronin as Team Ninja's very first open world title, and it very much feels like it. I think with a sequel or the knowledge and expertise gained from developing this title, Team Ninja is better off for it. However, the activities found in the open world were just not very engaging - shooting galleries, gliding challenges, horse stuff and cat collectibles.There's just ultimately not alot to do here. Halfway through the game I just found myself becoming less and less interested in completing these objectives primarily for one reason: your reward.
I don't mind Nioh/Strangers/Wo Long's loot system. I think it works for linear structured missions, and the loop of entering a mission and looting and killing only to come back to your Dojo and upgrade etc etc works but only for those style of games. Rise of the Ronin copies this loot system, and it just does not work here. There is no satisfying loot feedback. I feel no attachment to any of my weapons. Clearing out enemy camps and stuff or getting keys to chests just leads to the same thing; more and more and more loot vomit. 55 swords and 55 spears and 55 bows and 55 guns I CAN'T DO IT!! It does not incentivize the player to want to do these side missions if the reward is for something that can be outclassed by the next side mission.
The narrative is probably where I'm the most sour. How do you finally have a cast of characters that are genuinely fun to be around (Ryoma Sakamoto my absolute goat) and you decide to have a custom protag who doesnt ever speak except like, 5 times max??? This could've been a smash hit with an established character with full voice acting. They want it to be this emotionally charged narrative about siblings fighting for different sides but only one of them talks????!!!! And the male voice sounds badass!! Really huge missed opportunity here. Again, my issue for this game is when it too heavily incorporates aspects from Team Ninja's previous soulslike-action game endeavors. They just DONT work here.
But enough about the negatives, the soundtrack is really incredible and the gameplay is Wo Long's combat refined to a point where it feels good to play in a casual way. Like it's the one thing they decided to rework to fit more in an open world game or something!! The gameplay easily carried me through the end, it's really satisfying to land parries and then it does a big air burst and all the grass blows and its like pshhshhvhh and its awesome.
Some other points:
-Gliding is arguably the best inclusion they added in to the game. So fucking fun
-Very annoying how the game wants you to climb all these walls and shit but climbing up them is jank as fuck, even though Wo Long had a really excellent wall climb mechanic that felt good to pull off
-Visually this game can be drop-dead gorgeous, but the cities are where the game kinda falls apart. The engine needs a rework here.
-Multiple maps yet they all feel the same, wish there was more environmental diversity. Theres snow missions but no snow map!
-The RPG-ness of it was a neat idea but it ultimately felt pretty underbaked, but i appreciate its inclusion.
-The Bond system was also pretty underwhelming, could've been a bit better had your protag had more involved interaction with the character (like speak to them) (stop making voiceless protags when its not necessary)
Overall, I thought it was okay towards the end. The strong gameplay carried me through an otherwise kinda boring last act, with a cast that was begging to have a bit more characterization (outside of Ryoma Sakamoto the goat). A decent first effort, but I hope the sequel fixes most if not all of my issues and delivers something truly special.
Unfortunately, at the end of my 40 something hours with Rise of the Ronin: I was left a little underwhelmed. Overall, as an open world title, Ronin has the basics down - it just doesn't evolve out from there. Ronin doesn't do nothing necessarily unique or special with it's open world - and that's not necessarily a bad thing. I think it's important to frame Ronin as Team Ninja's very first open world title, and it very much feels like it. I think with a sequel or the knowledge and expertise gained from developing this title, Team Ninja is better off for it. However, the activities found in the open world were just not very engaging - shooting galleries, gliding challenges, horse stuff and cat collectibles.There's just ultimately not alot to do here. Halfway through the game I just found myself becoming less and less interested in completing these objectives primarily for one reason: your reward.
I don't mind Nioh/Strangers/Wo Long's loot system. I think it works for linear structured missions, and the loop of entering a mission and looting and killing only to come back to your Dojo and upgrade etc etc works but only for those style of games. Rise of the Ronin copies this loot system, and it just does not work here. There is no satisfying loot feedback. I feel no attachment to any of my weapons. Clearing out enemy camps and stuff or getting keys to chests just leads to the same thing; more and more and more loot vomit. 55 swords and 55 spears and 55 bows and 55 guns I CAN'T DO IT!! It does not incentivize the player to want to do these side missions if the reward is for something that can be outclassed by the next side mission.
The narrative is probably where I'm the most sour. How do you finally have a cast of characters that are genuinely fun to be around (Ryoma Sakamoto my absolute goat) and you decide to have a custom protag who doesnt ever speak except like, 5 times max??? This could've been a smash hit with an established character with full voice acting. They want it to be this emotionally charged narrative about siblings fighting for different sides but only one of them talks????!!!! And the male voice sounds badass!! Really huge missed opportunity here. Again, my issue for this game is when it too heavily incorporates aspects from Team Ninja's previous soulslike-action game endeavors. They just DONT work here.
But enough about the negatives, the soundtrack is really incredible and the gameplay is Wo Long's combat refined to a point where it feels good to play in a casual way. Like it's the one thing they decided to rework to fit more in an open world game or something!! The gameplay easily carried me through the end, it's really satisfying to land parries and then it does a big air burst and all the grass blows and its like pshhshhvhh and its awesome.
Some other points:
-Gliding is arguably the best inclusion they added in to the game. So fucking fun
-Very annoying how the game wants you to climb all these walls and shit but climbing up them is jank as fuck, even though Wo Long had a really excellent wall climb mechanic that felt good to pull off
-Visually this game can be drop-dead gorgeous, but the cities are where the game kinda falls apart. The engine needs a rework here.
-Multiple maps yet they all feel the same, wish there was more environmental diversity. Theres snow missions but no snow map!
-The RPG-ness of it was a neat idea but it ultimately felt pretty underbaked, but i appreciate its inclusion.
-The Bond system was also pretty underwhelming, could've been a bit better had your protag had more involved interaction with the character (like speak to them) (stop making voiceless protags when its not necessary)
Overall, I thought it was okay towards the end. The strong gameplay carried me through an otherwise kinda boring last act, with a cast that was begging to have a bit more characterization (outside of Ryoma Sakamoto the goat). A decent first effort, but I hope the sequel fixes most if not all of my issues and delivers something truly special.
Where’s the speed gif when you need it