Rise of the Ronin was my first Team Ninja game, so going in, I didn’t know what to expect. As someone who isn’t the biggest Souls-like fan, it could’ve easily not been for me. It was the opposite. The story, being a sucker for 19th-century historical nonfiction (with some player choice thrown in there), is quite good. However, I felt as if there were too many allies, a little over 30, with most of them being pretty bland, with a few exceptions. I can’t do this review without mentioning the frame drop and how dated the PS5 already is. Frequent dips into the 30s for an action-heavy game can be off-putting, but it was helped by a patch after launch that stabilized it mostly.

Where the game really shines is the combat. Boss gauntlets, stealth, parrying, a variety of weapons and builds to play around with—the whole nine yards. Once you get the parrying down pat, it’s one of the more satisfying games I can remember playing. The stealth doesn’t feel forced, the gunplay is excellent, and the main antagonist is fun and difficult but has a good balance.

Overall, this was a good game. The beautiful setting of Japan during the Edo period, decent characters all around, and masterful combat. If that’s what you’re looking for in a game, I say go for it.

With Rise of the Ronin, Team Ninja is cautiously trying its luck in the open-world arena, without setting any new standards for its future projects in this genre. Despite a world design that may seem conventional, the game stands out for its rich history and complexity. The game's setting transports us into a remarkable historical immersion, where we meet nuanced characters evolving in an equally complex geopolitical landscape, an uncommon aspect in the studio's productions and in the video game genre in general.

Team Ninja's strengths are in evidence, with an extremely rewarding combat system, an impressive variety of weapons to master, and memorable opponents, despite their lack of diversity. Whether you're a fan of the studio's creations, a fan of traditional open worlds, or a fan of Japanese history, Rise of the Ronin has something to satisfy you. I can see myself in all these categories, and I can only warmly recommend that you immerse yourself in this adventure. Rise of the Ronin is an experience not to be missed for those looking to combine a love of video games, an appreciation of well-choreographed combat and an interest in history with a capital H.

The Review is loading...
Loading Complete.
A story that makes you fall asleep.

Rest of the Review is loading...
Loading Complete.
A gameplay that can make you question you life. Why are you wasting it?