Rise of the Ronin Critic Reviews

A jack of all trades and master of some, though Rise of the Ronin feels like a melting pot of influences from other games, it is also quite the surprise of the year for me thus far as it clearly shows that Team Ninja has a confident grasp of compelling open world design in a way that many of its genre stablemates do not. Though the visual presentation might be comparatively a little rough around the edges, Rise of the Ronin nonetheless is simultaneously the most accessible and ambitious game Team Ninja has done to date and one that both hardcore action RPG fiends and open world adventure aficionados will surely embrace.

Rise of the Ronin isn’t always great, but when it’s switched on, it’s really switched on. The combat system is dense and rewarding, the missions are exciting, and minus some missteps in the open world and with NPCs, this is still a tight experience that feels very good.

Rise of the Ronin was the near-perfect samurai/ronin open-world RPG that I have been starving for, and offers players a lot of choice in their playstyle.

Rise of the Ronin shows that Team Ninja knows perfectly well what they are doing. The game presents you with an engaging story with interesting characters where your choices affect the course. The gameplay is excellent thanks to the accessible but in-depth combat and there is plenty to experience in the game world. Only graphically the game is not very impressive compared to other PS5 exclusives, but that should not spoil the fun. Rise of the Ronin is yet another recommended game this year.

Rise of the Ronin is an immersive open-world historical epic that values its players' time, and it’s also Team Ninja’s best game in recent memory.

Between its solid combat, varied open world, and enjoyable characters, Rise of the Ronin sets a new tier of excellence in Team Ninja’s game design.

Rise of the Ronin is not only a terrific soulslike, but it presents a possible turning point in being the first high-profile entry in the genre to give difficulty choices. Even without that, it is still a fun game that anyone can get into and enjoy, as the combat is worth mastering because nothing beats the feeling of a perfectly timed Counterspark. Plus, this is an excellent way to learn about an important time in Japanese history if you didn't already know it.

The story unfolds at a nice pace that allows you to dip out and into side quests throughout the map to become a part of a wider nation-shaping arc. Rise of the Ronin is another cracking PS5 exclusive.

Rise of the Ronin is nothing if not ambitious, and though that ambition leads to the game not being as polished as you may expect from a PS5 release, it still manages to tell an enthralling story in which your actions truly matter, while also utilizing a unique bond mechanic, an in-depth -albeit slightly repetitive - combat system, and so much to do you’ll find yourself losing sleep in an effort to complete just one more task. Those approaching Rise of the Ronin like the next Nioh will likely leave disappointed, but those who approach Team Ninja’s latest effort with an open mind and patience will find a gem that just happens to have a few rough edges.

An ambitious open-world action-RPG with fast-paced combat, choice-based storytelling and a variety of gameplay systems that keep the experience fresh.

While it is an open world game and therefore part of a tired and tiring genre, Rise of the Ronin makes it worth sticking with, thanks to incredibly strong historical fiction storytelling. With any luck, it will inspire some people to learn the more factual side of the era and, hopefully from there, come to a better understanding about where modern Japan came from. Despite being relatively recent, the Boshin War is a relatively under-utilised period of Japanese history, and Rise of the Ronin acts as a good introduction to it. Like with any historical fiction, the emphasis is firmly on the “fiction” side of things, but Koei has done a superb job of depicting the dynamics, tensions, conflicts and personalities of the era, making it as good an introduction to the era as any.

Rise of the Ronin is a massive gamble for Team Ninja, known for its more linear action games, but it's one that has paid off. Rise of the Ronin has a lot of depth to it from the satisfying combat, to all the side activities across three broad regions, and the plethora of excellent characters. This game should mark the start of a grand new era for Team Ninja.

Rise of the Ronin is the culmination of the combat formula that Team Ninja has using since Nioh. A beautiful game, complex and simple at the same time, and a lot of fun. Katanas and firearms to close a a great first quarter of the year for PlayStation.

With a clear identity, a charming setting, and one of the best combat systems out there, Rise of Ronin is indeed Team Ninja’s best Action RPG so far.

As a historical game set during the end of Japan’s Edo Period, Rise of the Ronin is an absolute masterpiece that can not be praised enough. At the same time, as an open world game, Rise of the Ronin is a dated experience that I have many complaints about. For most players who are simply looking for an open world action game, knock one or two points off this score. That being said, its immersive storytelling is something truly exceptional, to the extent that your view on historical games will probably change after playing Rise of the Ronin. As someone fond of history, Rise of the Ronin is a game I won’t forget.

Rise of Ronin really likes its players, and that’s what I love most about it. While its world features a lot of busywork, it’s also a joy to explore thanks to how easy and versatile movement is. An enthralling combat system openly traces the best of Sekiro and Nioh, serving the extract in a more accessible fashion with a huge variety of ways to fight. While co-op is restrictive, it’s still really funny to go online and turn bosses into confetti, plus you can run a cat rental service...Excellent stuff.

Rise of the Ronin is much more than an action/adventure soulslike. The accessibility stands out, as Team Ninja makes it more friendly for every gamer (although it's still really challenging) and the narrative brings a more realistic approach than ever. Unfortunately, though, the visuals don't live up to the expectations for a PS5 game and it also has some performance issues.

Rise of the Ronin is a great game for everyone who's looking for a new Samurai adventure to sink their teeth into. With a great historical story, impeccable and spectacular combat and amazing visual style, Rise of the Ronin delivers everything you would expect from a Team Ninja title. Add to this classic formula an interesting open world and some fun co-op and you have a great game on your hands. Some small technical issues hold this game back, but they will no doubt be fixed in the future.

Rise of the Ronin will delight fans of feudal Japan and samurai. Team Ninja presents an action game with sublime combat and an attractive narrative that is only marred by its technical aspects. Its open world is nothing to write home about, but it emphasizes the ambition to go one step further. The path of the samurai is marked.

Rise of the Ronin isn't the dream entry into the realm of open world games that Team Ninja might have hoped for, but it delivers a very competent gaming experience. The open game world is completely dedicated to the blood-curdling combat, so there is more than enough to discover. Add to that Team Ninja's clear love for national history and you have a wonderful piece of entertainment that also immerses you in an interesting, historical setting.