Highlights
- Rise of the Ronin features a companion bonding system that could have been more dynamic and less cliched for a richer player experience.
- The game prioritizes forming strong bonds with NPCs, but some companions come off as generic with one-note personalities, detracting from the immersion.
- Team Ninja could improve the companion bonding mechanic by focusing on fewer, more dynamic allies with unique characteristics for a more engaging gameplay.
Rise of the Ronin was recently released by developer Team Ninja, previously known for working on the Dead or Alive and modern Ninja Gaiden franchises before producing a number of titles residing firmly in the Soulslike camp, like 2023's Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty. Rise of the Ronin, though, is a more narrative-driven open-world action RPG, with a largely grounded realistic historical setting and story, sans the supernatural elements also seen in its previous games, like Nioh.
One of Rise of the Ronin's prominent features is the collection of companions players can meet and recruit to help alongside their journey. Games featuring well-rounded companions have become quite prevalent over the years, with more complex characters and relationship mechanics seen throughout. With its Blade Twins and bonding systems, Rise of the Ronin seeks to rise above in this area, and while it accomplishes this to some degree, it also feels a bit lacking in other ways.
Rise of the Ronin also includes a co-op option for certain missions.
Rise of the Ronin: All Bond Levels & How to Improve Bonds With Allies
Reap the benefits of building strong bond levels with allies in Rise of the Ronin.
Rise of the Ronin’s Companion Bonding Could Have Used Some Sharpening
Rise of Ronin's Companion Bonding System Largely Plays it Safe
Similar to recent genre titles like GreedFall, Rise of the Ronin starts early on to place particular emphasis on forming strong bonds with a variety of NPCs. These usually start off as awkward acquaintances, driven together with the protagonist by circumstance, with the possibility to blossom into deeper connections via dialogue choices and gift-giving later on. Some of Rise of the Ronin's companions are even missable if fans make certain choices that preclude them from allying after the initial meeting. The main story still provides a range of potential ones though, and there are some that cannot be missed, so that every player gets to experience the system.
However, as players run into more and more companions, there are a handful that come off as cliched, like the geisha Usugumo being obsessed with cats, or the alcohol-soaked samurai, Shinsaku. These traits attempt to round out their personalities to a degree but in a mostly generic one-note fashion. Even figures with more intriguing backstories, such as Rise of the Ronin's bandit king, Gonzo, eventually start to fall flat and feel stale. The gift-giving system is also fairly standard, as fans need to procure certain kinds that each companion approves of most. All of this is perfectly serviceable and never deters from the general experience. Still, it can simply feel a little dated and basic in the overall scheme.
How Rise of the Ronin's Companion Bonding Could Be Improved
The quantity of possible companions is impressive, but sheer numbers alone don't always equate to better or more interesting design. With so many to eventually track too, it can become a time-consuming task to ensure maximum benefits or preferred relationship status with them all. Perhaps focusing on including less of a broad range, and instead honing on a few specific allies with more dynamic characteristics, would have helped streamline and elevate them in ways that can be more readily seen in Rise of the Ronin's other inspirations.
As a recent high-profile example, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth's synergy system for increasing party member affinity worked well and felt more organic in the process. While it may not be entirely fair to compare these two titles directly, elements of the system can be seen in both that mirror each other in some ways. Since players can also have Rise of Ronin's companions accompany them on certain missions, and even take direct control during battles, something along the lines of Rebirth's active affinity building would have been a good fit for its structure, gameplay, and narrative. Even so, there is a lot to like about what RotR has to offer in terms of its suite of companions and bonding mechanics that are in place, and Team Ninja (and other developers) could take note of how to further improve and refine companion/bonding design going forward.
Rise of the Ronin
- Platform(s)
- PS5
- Released
- March 22, 2024
- Developer(s)
- Team Ninja
- Publisher(s)
- Sony Interactive Entertainment
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
