Ronin Reviews
Ronin spends more time convincing you of what it's not than it does showing you why you should care about what it is.
Ronin is a remarkably average game. When it works, it's kind of fun, but there just isn't enough here to maintain interest, and it has nothing that we haven't seen before.
RONIN strives to achieve the level of masterful design of games like Gunpoint and Mark of the Ninja, but seems to have overlooked what made them so special in the first place. It has its moments of truly feeling like a badass, but they do not make up for the frustration of everything in between.
Ronin is a fun concept for turn-based platforming, with some of the coolest moments in platforming. But it isn't worth paying about a dollar a level, especially while lacking a decent plot and featuring unnecessarily difficult levels.
RONIN is over in around seven to eight hours but the lengthy design of the levels makes it feel a lot longer than that. When you're locked in a stalemate with ten armed guards, jumping around the walls to avoid gunfire is more tiresome than engaging. RONIN is good for a few short levels in your spare time, but I can't fathom playing it for a long session.
The central idea is interesting, but lacks depth
RONIN wants to be a thinking man's twitch slasher. It mixes intriguing visuals and a barebones but singular premise with an awkward interface and little variety. The first few missions are a template for the remaining game and there's little incentive to see it through to the end, much less replay it.
Ronin is potentially a really good game, but repetitive game play as well as a frustrating upgrade system makes it tough to finish to its conclusion.
With a little more refinement, Ronin could easily have been an enjoyable romp. It certainly looked the part and in the initial stages was a slick action platformer, but by the time the game reaches its conclusion, there's little motivation to continue. It may be short, but finishing Ronin feels like running a gauntlet by the skin of your teeth. The only kicker is, there's no moment of euphoria afterwards…
Devolver Digital's new innovative indie is founded on a great idea that could have done with just a little more time in the oven
Unique non-stealth stealth game, requiring thought for its potentially punishing battles.
The challenge of remaining undetected is very difficult. . . yet it's oddly refreshing as it forces the player to act quickly, dispelling any notions of passivity
Ronin has little plot to speak of, but is focused like it's own motorcycle helmeted avenger on a tight and tactical turn-ish-based combat mechanic. Looks a little like Gunpoint. Plays like Ronin.
Ronin puts you the role of a motorcycle helment wearing ninja, who can dodge bullets and deliver death with every leap. However, the game's unforgiving nature tends to sap much of the fun out of vengeance.
Ronin is a challenging action platformer with vengeance on its mind.
A fun, if lightweight, stealth combat game. The turn-based fighting isn't perfect, but remains entertaining enough to be worth a look.
A heady mix of action and tactical puzzle solving that's worth playing for the intriguing combat loop
RONIN is fun and challenging at first but it doesn't last long. The lack of variation in its gameplay actually keeps the game's challenge level from rising significantly which isn't something players would expect for a game with a strategic vibe.
While Ronin lacks in story, it excels with its combat system. Because of the enemy variety, player abilities and level layout, the combat feels adaptive and is incredibly fun to play.
Altogether, Ronin creates an entirely novel experience that's given a solid boost from the sound and graphic design. While some frustration crops up in enemy-heavy territory, some trial-and-error in addition to strategic thinking is more than enough to get through even the tightest squeezes.