Rise of the Ronin is set to follow a recent trend in the gaming industry of tackling a story set in one of Japan's most tumultuous historical periods. While the gameplay of Rise of the Ronin looks to incorporate elements of Team Ninja's past Soulslike titles, like Nioh and Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty, one of the main draws of the game is its open-world setting within 19th-century Japan. To this end, Rise of the Ronin features a fictionalized cast of real historical figures that players will encounter, including a key Western figure, Commodore Matthew Perry.

While it is not the first game to be set during Japan's Bakumatsu period, Rise of the Ronin is set to deliver a different experience from a game like Like a Dragon: Ishin by following a different gameplay style and allowing the story to be shaped by player choice. While some historical figures like Sakamoto Ryoma from Like a Dragon: Ishin will appear in Rise of the Ronin, others, like Matthew Perry, will be new to players who've played both titles. As such, players will want to get to know the real history of Matthew Perry to put his presence in Rise of the Ronin into context ahead of the game's release.

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Rise of the Ronin Features Real-Life Historical Figure Commodore Matthew Perry

Rise of the Ronin's setting sees Japan in the midst of the Bakumatsu period, which lasted from 1853 to 1867, where the reign of the Tokugawa Shogunate was waning as a new movement to restore the rightful emperor to Japan's throne gained popularity. The conflict between pro-shogun and anti-shogun factions was at an all-time high as both sides carried out attacks against opposing strongholds, leaving civilian casualties in their wake. The internal conflict of this era became international as US and European envoys arrived to negotiate a reopening of the country to international trade after Japan's centuries-long isolationist foreign policy.

These Western forces were led by Commodore Matthew Perry, a US naval officer sent by President Millard Fillmore to force the reopening of Japan to international trade. Perry had a history of commanding naval ships during key wars in the 19th century, including the War of 1812 and the Mexican-American War. He would play a major role in the Convention of Kanagawa, which was signed by the Tokugawa Shogunate under the threat of force in 1854 and allowed the US to establish a consul in Japan, guaranteeing trade and safety for US citizens entering the country.

How Matthew Perry Fits into the Story of Rise of the Ronin

In Rise of the Ronin, players will get to choose who to support between the main competing factions of this era, including the pro-shogun Sabaku, the anti-shogun Tobaku, and the Western Obei. Matthew Perry is one of the primary figures of the Obei faction, who seeks to enforce Western diplomacy within Japan to ensure the US gains access to the country's resources. While siding with Perry might sound like the neutral option between Japan's internal warring factions, Perry's history as a naval officer means his position in Rise of the Ronin is likely more violent than players might expect.

Perry was known for his use of "gunboat diplomacy" in the signing of the Convention of Kanagawa, wherein he used the threat of the US Navy's military might to force the Tokugawa Shogunate to sign the treaty. At the time, the steam-powered "Black Ships" of the US Navy far exceeded the naval capabilities of Japan, leading Perry to leverage their power to force this outcome. With this in mind, Rise of the Ronin will likely portray Perry as a ruthless figure, especially if players choose to side against him in his conquest to force Western influence onto Japan.

Rise of the Ronin

Platform(s)

PS5

Released

March 22, 2024

Developer(s)

Team Ninja

Publisher(s)

Sony Interactive Entertainment

Genre(s)

Action RPG

See at Playstation Store