After all these years of watching samurai movies with my dad, Rise of the Ronin has finally arrived. But I get to wield the sword instead of just watching it all happen, and oh, does it feel nice.
I haven't had the excitement of a good ol' fashioned adventure where I'm out to find some big villain in a long time. Thankfully, Rise of the Ronin does not disappoint, even if I haven't yet reached the conclusion. In any case, I have dug deep into this late Edo period of 19th-century Japan for a good while. Additionally, there's always more to do, regardless of how much I appear to get done.
Considering everything it has to offer, it was one of the first times I had really dedicated more than an hour to a character. Beyond the typical elements you may have seen before, the hairstyles provide choices for bangs, different types of highlights, preferred ponytails, and even the little hairs on the side. Every time I came across a new choice, I couldn't help but "Ohhh" and "Ahhh," as I mixed and matched different styles. The indecisiveness was exacerbated by the options among imaginative tattoo ideas.
Additionally, Ronin's ascent The idea of character creation is comparable to .Dogma of the Dragon 2featuring two movable avatars. Thus, you may at least have the gratification of placing any additional character traits you were eyeing on the partner. When the action finally begins, the narrative will take players to a cinematic setting with a historical twist. The ronin's experiences are totally made up, yet they draw a lot from actual life, which makes them both gloriously magical and eerily familiar.
Adding details to history
One of the primary reasons I really appreciate Rise of the Ronin is because important characters and historical events often impact the trip. Early on, I was compelled to study more about the real heated stand-off after seeing Cold War-inspired movies like Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater. Video games that follow the footprints of our very real history via a more dramatic presentation have always piqued my interest, and I can usually learn something new from them. Yes, everything veers toward the ridiculous, but there's still a plot to follow.
Of course, there are epic showdowns and the blatant fiction woven throughout. The plot of Rise of the Ronin takes place in Japan in 1863, under the Treaty of Amity and Commerce. This coincided with the start of economic contacts opening between the US and Japan in the region.
When your ronin gets in the way of this new accord, pandemonium breaks out throughout the nations. The Black Ships of the West pose a danger to the established order, therefore you must put out flames wherever you go like a real warrior. This is where the ronin's Blade Sharpening Origin comes in handy, since it defines their fighting style. Different types, like Strength, Dexterity, Charisma, and Intelligence, are more geared toward one particular area. For individuals who want an equitable edge across all areas, there is also a balanced approach.
Although there is a suggested weapon set for each category, I never felt forced to use any particular one. My origin was made for dual blades and firearms, but I could still use the many other instruments in the game, including longer swords. There is never a boring time in fight since there are so many different weapons to choose from. Certain specific maneuvers cause a violent Mortal Kombat-like elimination, making battles more thrilling. However, the settings may be changed to lessen the gore and head-slicing if it becomes too intense.
Not every samurai carries a sword
Like a genuine samurai, parrying may be difficult to perfect, but timing and patience are essential. Along the way, several weapons will also become available, leveling the playing field. What has that I adoreThe Ronin's Ascent The thing with selection is that it never follows convention. You would assume it would just go with swords, but with the assistance of an NPC that loves gadgets, you may explore a ton of choices. It strikes me as similar to the different tools in Ratchet and Clank, where you never know what bright new object you'll find around the corner.
Are you sick of chopping them to pieces? Utilize a flamethrower to ignite them. Are you unsure about how to go to a chest perched on a precipice? Benefit from the craftable glider. Rise of the Ronin is more user-friendly with more tools and weapon possibilities, and it won't take long to discover something you enjoy. I can't even begin to count the number of times I've thought, "I wish the game had this," just to have it grant me my wish. Even though the narrative takes place in the distant past, its many innovations give it a contemporary appeal rather than just the standard assortment of swords and other historical weapons.
Apart from the fighting, another aspect of Rise of the Ronin that I really like is the exploring. I tried, really tried, to stay focused on the primary plot, but no matter where I went, I kept getting distracted. I love goal checklists, such as the one in Marvel's Spider-Man, and it feels so good to finish every area in the game with a perfect score. For additional traveling moves, the grappling hook also allows you to swing about like our friendly neighborhood Spider-Man. Oh, and did I also mention that looking for cute kitties is one of the activities? I'm not sure what will entice you to read Rise of the Ronin if it doesn't.
If completing any of Ronin's goals only entails a collective takedown, they get a little tiresome. But for the most part, I didn't appear to mind since I just went on to another duty that didn't involve any fighting. Not to mention, the landscape is breathtakingly beautiful. Although opinions on the game's relatively antiquated graphics have been divided, I don't believe such assessments do the game credit. It is chic and has exquisite lighting that leads the eye through vibrant color bursts. The Ronin's Ascent map is peaceful and pleasantly colorful (well, except for the gory and violent parts).
There are times when the ambient textures in the visuals fall short of what the PS5 can provide. I nonetheless kept ogling its beauty and absorbing it all in Photo Mode.
No longer a lone wolf
It's also important to remember that characters are what give these places life. In my previous experiences, side characters have been either a hit or a miss for me. Fortunately, Rise of the Ronin tends to be a hit, with more instances that I find endearing or engaging than not. Despite being mostly a somber environment, there were occasional moments of humor. The action role-playing game by Team Ninja understands when to have fun, and I was taken aback by some inane remarks that were made in passing.
The plot revolves on improving relationships, and friends fight with you to fortify those ties. The group's camaraderie makes things more enjoyable, particularly when you can unwind and sit back at a longhouse with your buddies. Spending time with these characters both inside and outside of the battlefield gives a more intimate aspect, enhancing not only my ronin's but also my own affection for them. All I can ask is that more NPCs engaged in meaningful conversation, like in the Yakuza series and Red Dead Redemption 2.
I think I've just begun to explore the characters and other elements of the plot, but so far, I'm really enjoying myself. Additionally, I'm beginning a new playstyle that is similar to Netflix's Blue Eye Samurai, tailoring my character to resemble the lead character. Since the two plots are quite similar, Rise of the Ronin definitely makes up for any lack of Season 2 if you've been dying to see it. Even though I'm already persuaded that a cooperative game and additional evenings spent testing new builds are worthwhile, I can't wait to complete my solo quest and return to the historically accurate but nonetheless modern Rise of the Ronin environment.
[The publisher's retail build of the game served as the foundation for these impressions.]