Rise of the Ronin Reviews
Rise of the Ronin is a case where more isn't always better. It's got varied and challenging combat, a wealth of content, and a wide variety of mechanics in a story that spans over a decade. But while most of the individual components work, many feel unrefined, and their sheer volume doesn't elevate the experience.
A successful attempt by Team Ninja to make a game in an open world. Even though there is little innovation here, it is not boring to follow the story (and influence it) and fight in fierce battles for dozens of hours.
Review in Russian | Read full review
Rise of the Ronin provided the best encounters and combat system Team Ninja ever provided in a recent memory, but it's open world is devoid of life or points of interest
Review in Arabic | Read full review
Team Ninja's open-world experiment with Rise of the Ronin leaves a bittersweet taste, but the studio's inexperience in that journey is understandable. In short, the delivery is far from what this type of game is today and its great exponents; However, the Japanese studio manages to get away with its polished combat system delivering impressive duels on several occasions. As I warned, the niche is here for the duels and, in that sense, you won't be disappointed; Apart from that, there are several forgettable elements, but it is a fact that the 2 incentives that I considered during my experience: the development of the story and its combat proposal, are enough to give it a chance.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Rise of the Rōnin is a very solid game though it still suffers from open-wrld-fatigue and a feel of repitition after spending enough time with it. Still, the Bond feature and the ability to alter the course of the story are a very welcomed additions to this type of game.
Review in Arabic | Read full review
In feudal times, ronin was a samurai without a master. Being your own master is the feeling delivered by Team Ninja's newest title Rise of the Ronin. Freely roaming huge open world districts with trusty horse companion, gliding throughout architecturally stunning cities of 19th century Japan, switching around diverse combat stances, making bonds with true friend and have epic duels against mighty foes. Moreover this grounded adventure from Bakumatsu period sprinkled with various creative liberties let's you experience Japan's grand opening to the world.
Review in Slovak | Read full review
Team Ninja once again shows its quality by further improving an excellent combat system and adapting this to an open-world game. Masterfully representing Japan in one of its most troubled periods, in addition to delivering a complete package of quality, Rise of the Ronin only fails in technical aspects and in some design decisions that can compromise in the end.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Rise of the Ronin, in its entirety, is a Jack of all trades and master of none. It is a sampler platter of many design ideas stitched together, held in place with a captivating story and likable characters. If you are a fan of Team Ninja’s unique blend of combat and/or the time period this game takes place, then you are in for a treat. Just know that combat won’t be forgiving and you probably won’t like all the busy work. But barring all that, it is worth a couple of playthroughs just to see where the story possibilities go even if you can’t change history in the way you would’ve liked.
Rise of the Ronin is a great action-packed open-world experience that starts very strong but as time goes on, it definitely starts to become repetitious; mostly due to its lack of variety and memorable boss fights. It's still generally a lot of fun, though. 🏯
After my time in the Bakumatsu period, Rise of The Ronin reminded me of the often-overlooked Days Gone. Like the Bend title, Team Ninja's latest work shares many strengths and weaknesses: a derivative structure and questionable technical polish, but it’s incredibly fun gameplay hides some of its uncertainties. Crossing blades with other ronin and historical figures offers palpable joy, making up for the less impressive visuals and a weak enemy AI. If you're ready to compromise with a familiar structure, this journey in late 19th century Japan can surprise you. It may not be perfect, but it's undeniably fun.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Rise of the Ronin is a robust and enjoyable open-world adventure across 19th-century Japan. It features superb combat, an intriguing Bakumatsu-inspired setting, and a world with so much to do. However, its identity feels a little unclear at times and some repetitive missions, plus bumpy visuals, hold it back.
Rise of the Ronin is certainly not an ideal title. The developers, in their attempt to create an open-world game, should have looked towards a better authority than Ubisoft for inspiration. An open world shouldn't be an excuse to inundate players with a hundred identical activities. It has strong-points, and it's not a bad game, but there was definitely the potential to create something excellent and memorable.
Review in Polish | Read full review
There is a lot to love in Rise of the Ronin and it is a valiant first crack at an open world for Team Ninja. The gameplay and combat shine the brightest here. It does a good job of keeping you in the flow of combat. The side content is a checklist of things to do, but it serves its purpose to supplement the combat, which is a frenetic and brutal dance.
Discussing "too much of a good thing" in a review of an open world game can lead to misunderstandings, especially for those who only pay attention to the final comments and score. For this reason, we want to clearly emphasize the point. The open world of Rise of the Ronin is incredibly well-crafted. What feels excessive are the ludo-narrative variables related to the choices and freedoms given to the player. It may not be Team Ninja's most focused title (Nioh and Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty are more structured and precise in what they offer). It won't be the definitive crowning achievement of the studio in the pantheon of developers because the highlighted criticisms stem from "immature" choices that limit the proverbial "next step" in their growth. However, if there’s one thing the Japanese team excels at, it’s creating increasingly satisfying and exhilarating combat systems. Even starting from mechanics we’ve seen before, they manage to deliver something new and more enjoyable every time. And Rise of the Ronin is precisely that: the most satisfying, exhilarating, and fun title from Team Ninja, despite everything.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Rise of the Ronin is the first open world from Team Ninja, which seeks to elevate its action RPG formula to a new level. In this new production, there will be no Oni or monsters to eliminate, but a scenario of clashes between the now former samurai opposed to the decisions of the Tokugawa shogunate and westerners from the United States, who wish to enter fully into the trade and life of the Japanese people. Within this era of historical transition, known as the Bakkumatsu, stands the game's protagonist, a ronin, who will set out to find his own twin blade, a comrade-in-arms he has trained with since childhood, believed dead. The open world created by Team Ninja will offer many elements of exploration, missions with multiple decision-making choices and collectables to collect. But the core of the game remains the combat system; Rise of the Ronin does not reward button-mashing in the slightest, but provides smooth and elegant combat that will make you focus on deflection and counterattack, which are necessary to survive. Although the graphics do not compare to other first-party titles from Sony, Rise of the Ronin will captivate you with its over-the-top gameplay and historical accuracy of mid-19th century Japan.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Whether it’s the skillful, satisfying combat, the occasionally gorgeous recreation of 1860s Japan, or the powerful idea of getting into shenanigans and making story-altering choices with real historical figures, Rise of the Ronin has it all. However, whatever novelty exists at the start eventually gives way to the worst kind of open-world gruel.
Rise of the Ronin isn't just Team Ninja's most ambitious game to date; it's also its most important one. With this title, the studio has pivoted into a bold new direction while still retaining the essence of its classic titles. However, if the studio's past games didn't click for you, it's unlikely that Rise of the Ronin will. But if they did, this will feel like a radical improvement from Team Ninja's previous titles, with plenty to be excited about what lies ahead.
Rise of the Ronin is a great game with rewarding combat and an engaging historical narrative, but it's primarily for action lovers as exploration often leads to battles.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
Rise of the Ronin is an unfortunate example of what happens when the chase for mainstream appeal goes in the way of creative identity. While it's still a fairly enjoyable action game when it allows itself to be, it's ultimately bogged down by half-baked mechanics that make the world feel emptier than it looks.
Rise of the Rōnin is an another great PlayStation title. It's not GotY material, but it does its job well.
Review in Slovak | Read full review