While it's true that not all showcase events live up to fans' sometimes unrealistic expectations, the same could definitely not be said for September's Playstation State of Play event. The showcase offered fans a glimpse at some highly anticipated titles including Hogwarts Legacy and God of War Ragnarok, as well as revealing the next installment in the Tekken franchise. Sandwiched in between these titles was the exciting announcement of a brand-new IP from developer Team Ninja: Rise of the Ronin.
Rise of the Ronin is set in 1863, near the end of the 300-year long Edo period in historical Japan. Offering players a huge open world to explore, it represents another foray into the world of the Samurai for developer Team Ninja, who has a long association with combat-themed historical settings. From earlier titles such as Ninja Gaiden, through the Nioh games, to the upcoming Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty which is set in ancient China, Team Ninja is certainly on familiar ground with this sort of title. Games involving Asian history have come to the fore of late, with titles such as the aforementioned Nioh and Ghost of Tsushima proving incredibly popular, and while Rise of the Ronin is not set for release until 2024, it will hope to eclipse the success of these titles.
Rise of the Ronin's World Should Be a Beautiful One
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With only the PlayStation State of Play trailer to go on, it's already safe to assume Rise of the Ronin's world will be absolutely gorgeous. The stunning vistas that are shown off in the trailer are rich with detail, from muddy villages to lush jungles, and the PS5 exclusive will no doubt be looking to use every inch of the console's processing power. The game seems to place an emphasis on traversal, with the protagonist shown on horseback as well as using retractable wings to glide over the environment. This freedom is said to extend to the choices the player makes also. Playing as a ronin who is bound to no master, the player will be able to make their own decisions and allegiances, which should make for a non-linear narrative when compared to something like Nioh.
Combat looks to be a familiar affair for fans of the genre, and the trailer shows off some brief battles with other Samurai. Players will likely be placing an emphasis on patience and timing, as this aligns closely with the source material. Given Team Ninja's penchant for difficulty, with games like Nioh 2 offering an unforgiving difficulty curve, gamers should definitely be expecting to have their skills put to the test should they hope to emerge victorious.
Despite an approximate 600-year gap between events in both titles, with Rise of the Ronin taking place much later in history, Ghost of Tsushima comparisons will be inevitable. Team Ninja will be keen for the game to carve out its own identity though, and its setting can certainly help it do this. Edo-period Japan was a time of conflict and change, and the game unfolds under a politically unstable backdrop. Oppressive leaders are about to engage in war with invaders. The Tokugawa Shogunate is in direct conflict with factions of anti-shogunate armies. To make matters even worse, deadly diseases plague the land, meaning there are wars being fought both on and off the battlefield.
With Assassin's Creed Red on the horizon, and an expected Ghost of Tsushima sequel probably in the same release window, Rise of the Ronin will have its work cut out trying to differentiate itself from those around it. Utilizing Team Ninja's renowned combat expertise, and mixing that with the interesting, diverse setting on offer, is key to ensuring the game is a success.
Rise of the Ronin releases in 2024 for PS5.
