Rise of the Rōnin
{{short description|2024 video game}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Rise of the Rōnin
| image = Rise of the Ronin Key Art.jpg
| developer = Team Ninja{{efn|Additional work by PlayStation Studios XDev}}
| publisher = {{ubl|Sony Interactive Entertainment|Koei Tecmo (Windows)}}
| director = Fumihiko Yasuda
| producer = {{ubl|Fumihiko Yasuda|Edward Saito}}
| designer =
| programmer = {{ubl|Tetsuya Nagayama|Yutaro Takahashi}}
| writer = Jesse Noble
| composer = Inon Zur
| artist = {{ubl|Soma Yokoi|Nozomi Furuta|Hiroyuki Kato}}
| series =
| engine = Katana Engine{{cite web |url=https://cgworld.jp/article/202410-cgw313-rotr01.html |date=2024-10-17 |author=大河原浩一 |access-date=2024-11-12 |website=CGWORLD.jp |title=Team NINJAの技術力が随所に光る幕末アクション『Rise of the Ronin』前篇}}
| platforms = {{ubl|PlayStation 5|Windows}}
| released = {{ubl|PlayStation 5|22 March 2024|Windows|11 March 2025}}
| genre = Action role-playing
| modes = Single-player, multiplayer
}}
{{nihongo foot|Rise of the Rōnin |ライズ オブ ザ ローニン|Raizu obu za rōnin|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} is a 2024 action-role playing game developed by Koei Tecmo's Team Ninja and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment for the PlayStation 5 and by Koei Tecmo for Windows. It is the third collaboration between Sony and Koei Tecmo after Nioh and its sequel. Upon release, the game received generally positive reviews from critics.
Gameplay
Rise of the Rōnin allows players to create a custom character.{{Cite magazine |date=2023-12-19 |author= 西川くん |title=『Rise of the Ronin』早矢仕P＆安田PDインタビュー。江戸・横浜・京都などを舞台に、幕末オープンワールドを主人公の浪人が駆け巡る。アクション性はTeam NINJAの集大成 |trans-title='Rise of the Ronin' Hayashi P & Yasuda PD interview. The main character, a ronin, runs through an open world at the end of the Edo period, set in Edo, Yokohama, and Kyoto. Action is the culmination of Team NINJA |url=https://www.famitsu.com/news/202312/19328207.html |access-date=2023-12-19 |magazine=Famitsu |language=ja}} Combat features a wide array of weapons common during the Boshin war, such as katanas and various Boshin war firearms.{{cite news |last1=Nightingale |first1=Ed |date=13 September 2022 |title=Team Ninja reveals PS5 exclusive action RPG Rise of the Ronin |website=Eurogamer |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/team-ninja-reveals-ps5-exclusive-action-rpg-rise-of-the-ronin |access-date=26 February 2023}} The game features story choices at key moments, allowing players to side with or fight against various non-player characters, affecting the story.{{cite web |last1=Romano |first1=Sal |date=13 September 2022 |title=Sony Interactive Entertainment and Team NINJA announce action RPG Rise of the Ronin for PS5 |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2022/09/sony-interactive-entertainment-and-team-ninja-announce-action-rpg-rise-of-the-ronin-for-ps5 |access-date=26 February 2023 |website=Gematsu}} Historic cities Yokohama, Kyoto and Edo can be explored, as well as areas in the countryside. The player can traverse with various means, such as a horse, grappling hook or glider.{{cite magazine |last1=Stewart |first1=Marcus |date=19 December 2023 |title=Team Ninja Discusses Crafting Its First Open World Where You Shouldn't Kill Everything On Sight |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/preview/2023/12/19/team-ninja-discusses-crafting-its-first-open-world-where-you-shouldnt-kill |archive-url=https://archive.today/20231222124724/https://www.gameinformer.com/preview/2023/12/19/team-ninja-discusses-crafting-its-first-open-world-where-you-shouldnt-kill |url-status=live |archive-date=22 December 2023 |access-date=22 December 2023 |magazine=Game Informer}} The game features the ability to swap between three difficulties, as well as a three player cooperative multiplayer mode.{{Cite web |title=Rise of the Ronin |url=https://www.playstation.com/en-us/games/rise-of-the-ronin |access-date=2024-02-04 |website=PlayStation |language=en-US}}
Story
=Setting=
Rise of the Rōnin is set in Yokohama, Edo and Kyoto, in the mid-19th century during Bakumatsu, the final years of the Edo period. The game depicts the leadup to the Boshin war between the Tokugawa Shogunate and various anti-shogunate factions displeased with the western influence after the forced reopening of Japan following the Sakoku period.{{cite web |last1=Bonifacic |first1=Igor |date=13 September 2022 |title=Rise of the Ronin is a historical action RPG from the team behind Nioh |url=https://www.engadget.com/team-ninja-rise-of-the-ronin-225837768.html |access-date=26 February 2023 |website=Engadget}}{{cite web |last=Plunkett |first=Luke |date=14 September 2022 |title=Team Ninja's New Game Is A 19th-Century 'Action RPG' |url=https://kotaku.com/rise-of-the-ronin-team-ninja-ps5-action-rpg-open-world-1849532956 |access-date=26 February 2023 |website=Kotaku}}
The story follows the Blade Twins, whose genders are selected by the player, and their involvement in the Veiled Edge resistance group after their family was murdered by oniwaban working for the Shogunate. Trained by the Veiled Edge's leader, the Bladesmith, the Blade Twins begin their mission to overthrow the Shogunate.
=Plot=
In the year 1853, the Blade Twins are tasked by the Bladesmith to assassinate Commodore Matthew Perry and steal a secret message in his possession. They are able to steal the message, but are unable to kill Perry due to the intervention of another assassin, the Blue Demon. Outmatched, one of the Blade Twins is forced to flee while their partner sacrifices themselves to ensure the Blade Twin's escape, now the Protagonist. After Shogunate oniwaban attack the Veiled Edge's village, the Protagonist realizes that their partner is still alive and decides to desert the Veiled Edge to search for them. The Bladesmith forces the Protagonist into a duel to the death to win the right to abandon the clan, with the Protagonist prevailing and the Bladesmith wishing them luck with her dying breath.
The Protagonist makes their way to Yokohama in 1858, where they befriend wandering ronin Ryoma Sakamoto. The social order of Yokohama and all of Japan has been thrown into turmoil due to the arrival of the Perry Expedition and increasing Western influence in the country. As Ryoma searches for his master Shoin Yoshida with his fellow students, the Protagonist investigates the whereabouts of their partner, now known as Demonclaw Samurai, who is working for the Americans and British. Shogunate Chief Minister Naosuke Ii enacts harsh suppression and purges of anti-Shogunate and anti-foreigner sentiment, culminating in Shoin's arrest and execution in 1859 which angers Ryoma and his friends. Genzui Kusaka decides to take Shoin's place and rebel against the Shogunate, along with Kogoro Katsura, Shinsaku Takasugi, and others. They rally a small army to attack Ii directly. The Blue Demon, whose true identity is Akikatsu Manabe, attempts to protect Ii but is struck down by the Protagonist in retribution, and Ii is either successfully assassinated or manages to flee with a still-living Manabe, only to be assassinated later by the Demonclaw Samurai. As a result of Ii's death, American influence in Japan wanes as British influence strengthens, led by Ernest Satow and Rutherford Alcock.
In 1863, the Protagonist continues working with Ryoma's group in Edo upon learning the Demonclaw Samurai is collaborating with the British. After Genzui brazenly burns down the British Legation, Ryoma begins to balk at Genzui's increasingly violent methods. Genzui sets his next target as Kaishu Katsu, an important Shogunate official. The Protagonist and Ryoma attack Katsu, who easily fights them off and instead wins them to his side by telling them his desire to reform the Shogunate and modernize Japan without the use of violence. They assist Katsu in recruiting additional followers to his cause. Eventually, they meet the Shogun Yoshinobu Tokugawa himself, who expresses his own desire to modernize Japan to match the West. Yoshinobu decides to travel to Kyoto as part of a ploy to lure his enemies into the open, and Katsu requests the Protagonist and Ryoma to join the Roshigumi to protect Yoshinobu. However, shortly after their arrival in Kyoto in 1864, the leader of the Roshigumi, Kiyokawa Hachirō, is assassinated by the Demonclaw Samurai and exposed as a traitor, throwing the organization in chaos. Roshigumi is disbanded, some of its members returning to Edo while those remaining in Kyoto form the Shinsengumi.
Sensing weakness, Genzui leads the Choshu clan to attack Kyoto. The Shinsengumi, along with the Satsuma clan armed with British cannons, are able to defeat the Choshu. The Protagonist confronts the Demonclaw Samurai, who reveals that they have been behind many of the events accelerating the Shogunate's decline as revenge for their village's destruction. The Protagonist disagrees with the Demonclaw Samurai's path of violence and refuses to join forces with them. The Demonclaw Samurai flees while Genzui commits seppuku to avoid capture. Realizing that both the Satsuma and Choshu want to overthrow the Shogunate, in 1866 Ryoma manages to convince Satsuma general Takamori Saigo to join forces with the Choshu despite being traditional enemies, forming the Choshu-Satsuma Alliance. Shortly after, the Protagonist infiltrates the Shinsengumi to investigate an assassination attempt on Ryoma. The Protagonist roots out the traitor within the Shinsengumi and accompanies Ryoma to the Shogun's palace, where they manage to thwart an attempt by Satow to assassinate Yoshinobu and convince the latter to dissolve the Shogunate and effect a peaceful transition of power.
In 1867, despite Yoshinobu engaging in negotiations with the Choshu-Satsuma alliance, the Demonclaw Samurai begins to stage false flag attacks to stoke tensions between the two sides, culminating in them attempting to assassinate Ryoma, who envisions a Japan under democratic rule. Ryoma is either killed or severely wounded. Without Ryoma's mediating influence, relations between the Shogunate and the alliance collapse, leading to the Boshin War in 1868. After an assassination attempt by the Demonclaw Samurai, Yoshinobu is forced to retreat to Edo, allowing the alliance forces to seize Kyoto after the Battle of Toba-Fushimi. Katsu makes plans to burn down Edo to prevent its capture, but the Protagonist is able to negotiate a peaceful settlement between the two sides that spares the city. As the peace talks are being finalized, the Protagonist confronts and defeats the Demonclaw Samurai one last time, choosing to either spare or execute them. If spared, the partner comes to realize the error of their ways, and as penance decides to leave Japan to observe its development from afar.
Afterwards, the Shogunate is dissolved and Yoshinobu retires to live quietly as a civilian while the leaders of the Choshu-Satsuma alliance begin the process of reorganizing Japan's government as well as rapidly modernizing its army and navy, while the remnants of the Shogunate and Shinsengumi sail towards Hakodate to form the Republic of Ezo. If the player manages to save Ryoma's life and spares the Demonclaw Samurai, a post-credits cutscene shows the two of them running into each other in New York City.
Development
File:Otomo_Keishi_in_2014.jpg, the game's Opening and Real-Time Cinematics Director, pictured in 2014.]]
File:Inon_Zur_by_Gage_Skidmore.jpg, the game's composer, pictured in 2018.]]
Development on Rise of the Rōnin started in 2015, with PlayStation Studios' XDev assisting.{{cite web |last1=Ivan |first1=Tom |date=20 September 2022 |title=Sony XDev is working with Team Ninja on Rise of the Ronin |url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/sony-xdev-is-working-with-team-ninja-on-rise-of-the-ronin/ |access-date=23 February 2023 |website=Video Games Chronicle}} According to Team Ninja president Fumihiko Yasuda, they wanted to create a game that depicts Japan in its darkest times, citing the Bakumatsu-period as an era video games would "shy away from". The game's setting would also lend itself well to their expertise, due to their experience making games focused on ninja and samurai, such as Ninja Gaiden and Nioh. According to Yasuda, Rise of the Rōnin is the most ambitious project Team Ninja has developed. Developing an open world title has been a particular challenge for Team Ninja, as they only developed linear, level-based games until now. Yasuda cited creating passive non-player characters as "impactful" and "challenging", as in their previous titles everything on-screen was for the player to defeat.
Film director Keishi Ōtomo, well known for his work on the Rurouni Kenshin film series, served as the Opening and Real-Time Cinematics director for the game.{{Cite web |title=「Rise of the Ronin」ハンズオンイベントレポート：ゲームプレイとインタビューで見えてきた"幕末オープンワールド"の全貌とその魅力 |url=https://www.gamer.ne.jp/news/202403120001/ |access-date=2024-09-07 |website=Gamer |language=ja}} Commenting on his work, Ōtomo stated he wanted to show the buildup of energy in the darkest moments of the Bakumatsu, as the people "waited for everything to implode".{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hY9lSAZQfbk |title=Rise of the Ronin - Behind the Scenes: Episode 1 {{!}} PS5 Games |date=2024-02-08 |last=PlayStation |access-date=2024-09-07 |via=YouTube}} He was impressed by the attention to detail Team Ninja had in creating the world, noting they had done their historical research well.
Inon Zur composed the score for the game, with the two main instruments carrying most of the melodies being the cello and the shakuhachi. He took it upon himself to study Japanese music as part of the job{{Cite web |last=KOEI TECMO HOLDINGS CO., LTD. |first=N/A |date=April 30, 2024 |title=Financial Results for the Fiscal Year Ending March 2024 |url=https://www.koeitecmo.co.jp/e/ir/docs/ir3_20240430_e.pdf |website=www.koeitecmo.co.jp/e/ir/}} and felt that writing the theme for the Blade Twin was the most challenging, noting that their actions were not purely good or evil, but considered to be "different" and contradicting the story of the protagonist.
Release
Rise of the Rōnin was announced on 13 September 2022, at PlayStation's State of Play livestream. On 7 December 2023, at The Game Awards 2023, a pre-order trailer was released, with a release date of 22 March 2024.{{Cite web |last=Fumihiko |first=Yasuda |date=7 December 2023 |title=Rise of the Ronin arrives only on PS5 March 22 |url=https://blog.playstation.com/2023/12/07/rise-of-the-ronin-arrives-only-on-ps5-march-22/ |access-date=2023-12-08 |website=PlayStation Blog |language=en-US}} Pre-orders opened in Japan on 14 December 2023, revealing that the game would be sold in two versions, CERO D and CERO Z, due to the violence deemed to be excessive by the Computer Entertainment Rating Organization of Japan.{{Cite web |date=14 December 2023 |title=「Rise of the Ronin」の予約購入受付がスタート。黒船に混乱する幕末日本を舞台にしたアクションRPG |trans-title=Pre-orders for 'Rise of the Ronin' have started. An action RPG set in Japan at the end of the Edo period, which is in turmoil due to black ships. |url=https://www.4gamer.net/games/657/G065716/20231214009/ |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=4gamer |language=JA}}
A playable demo was released on 24 July 2024, with progress being able to be carried over to the full game.{{Cite tweet |number=1816130076385456418 |user=TeamNINJAStudio |title=Ver. 1.07 Patch has been released. Please refer to the image below for info. |author-link=Team Ninja}} A physical artbook released on 10 September 2024.{{cite magazine |last1=Famitsu|first1=Magazine |title=『Rise of the Ronin』公式アートブックが9月10日発売。激動の幕末を描いた作品をビジュアルとともに振り返るファン必見の一冊 |url=https://www.famitsu.com/article/202408/12270 |magazine=Famitsu |access-date=10 August 2024}}
A Windows version was released on 11 March 2025 by Koei Tecmo. It adds features utilizing the capabilities of personal computers, including support for ultra-wide aspect ratios, up to 8K resolution support, 120 FPS support, AMD FSR, NVIDIA DLSS and Intel XeSS support, frame generation, ray tracing, and more.{{Cite web |title= Rise of the Ronin Launches on PC on March 11th, Complete With Up to 8K Resolution, 120 FPS, FSR and DLSS Support; System Requirements Revealed|date=27 January 2025 |url=https://wccftech.com/rise-of-the-ronin-pc-march-11th-system-requirements |access-date=27 January 2025}}
= South Korea controversy =
Rise of the Rōnin will not release in South Korea. Early reports indicated that this is due to comments by Fumihiko Yasuda comparing Shoin Yoshida to Socrates, which sparked controversy in South Korea. Although Yoshida played a key role in the Meiji Restoration, he is also considered an integral person in what would lead Japan to conquer and occupy Korea. Sony later confirmed that the game would not release in South Korea, but did not provide an official reason.{{Cite web |last=Batchelor |first=James |date=13 February 2024 |title=Sony reportedly cancels Rise of the Ronin launch in South Korea |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/sony-reportedly-cancels-rise-of-the-ronin-launch-in-south-korea/ |access-date=2024-02-13 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |language=EN}} Sony claims it never meant to release the game in Korea saying that "Rise of the Ronin for PlayStation 5 was never officially announced for release in Korea". Some Asian versions of the game came with Korean language support and the game was also featured in the official South Korea PlayStation blog in its initial reveal in September 2022 (this page has since been removed).{{Cite web |last=Dinsdale |first=Ryan |date=2024-02-14 |title=PS5 Exclusive Rise of the Ronin Isn't Coming to South Korea, but Sony Insists It Was Never Meant To |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/ps5-exclusive-rise-of-the-ronin-isnt-coming-to-south-korea-but-sony-insists-it-was-never-meant-to |access-date=2024-12-27 |website=IGN |language=en}} All promotional videos for the game on the official Korean PlayStation YouTube channel has also been removed.{{Cite web |last=Batchelor |first=James |date=2024-02-13 |title=Sony confirms Rise of the Ronin will not launch in South Korea |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/sony-reportedly-cancels-rise-of-the-ronin-launch-in-south-korea |access-date=2024-12-27 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |language=en}}
Reception
{{Video game reviews
| MC = 76/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/rise-of-the-ronin/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-5 |title=Rise of the Rōnin for PlayStation 5 Reviews |website=Metacritic |accessdate=21 March 2024}}
| DT = 3.5/5{{cite web |last=Yang |first=George |date=21 March 2024 |url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/rise-of-the-ronin-review-ps5/ |title=Rise of the Ronin review: parrying has never been more fun |website=Digital Trends |accessdate=21 March 2024}}
| EuroG = 4/5{{cite web |last=Wen |first=Alan |date=21 March 2024 |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/rise-of-the-ronin-review |title=Rise of the Ronin review - samurai action that's as grounded as it is approachable |website=Eurogamer |accessdate=21 March 2024}}
| GI = 7/10{{cite magazine |last=Khan |first=Imran |date=21 March 2024 |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/review/rise-of-the-ronin/crossed-swords |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240321112002/https://www.gameinformer.com/review/rise-of-the-ronin/crossed-swords |url-status=live |archive-date=21 March 2024 |title=Rise of the Rōnin Review - Crossed Swords |magazine=Game Informer |access-date=21 March 2024}}
| GSpot = 7/10{{cite web |last=Hornshaw |first=Phil |date=21 March 2024 |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/rise-of-the-ronin-review-long-term-investment/1900-6418202/ |title=Rise Of The Ronin Review - Long-Term Investment |website=GameSpot |accessdate=21 March 2024}}
| GRadar = 3.5/5{{cite web |last=Donnelly |first=Joe |date=21 March 2024 |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/rise-of-the-ronin-review/ |title=Rise of the Ronin review: "A decent PS5 exclusive action RPG that's driven and hamstrung by its ambition" |website=GamesRadar+ |accessdate=21 March 2024}}
| IGN = 7/10{{cite web |last=Borger |first=Will |date=21 March 2024 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/rise-of-the-ronin-review |title=Rise of the Ronin Review |website=IGN |accessdate=21 March 2024}}
| NME = 4/5{{cite web |last=Brown |first=Andy |date=21 March 2024 |url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/game-reviews/rise-of-the-ronin-review-3607393 |title='Rise Of The Ronin' review: lose your head for this slick samurai slasher |website=NME |accessdate=21 March 2024}}
| PSQ = 6/10{{cite web |last=Croft |first=Liam |date=21 March 2024 |url=https://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/ps5/rise-of-the-ronin |title=Rise of the Ronin Review (PS5) |website=Push Square |accessdate=21 March 2024}}
| SN = 9/10{{cite web |last=Denzer |first=TJ |date=21 March 2024 |url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/139207/rise-of-the-ronin-review-score |title=Rise of the Ronin review: Crossed swords & cultural revolution |website=Shacknews |accessdate=21 March 2024}}
| VG247 = 3/5{{cite web |last=Saed |first=Sherif |date=21 March 2024 |url=https://www.vg247.com/rise-of-the-ronin-review |title=Rise of the Ronin review - Team Ninja without the bite, or the Nioh heights |website=VG247 |accessdate=21 March 2024}}
| VGC = 3/5{{cite web |last=Middler |first=Jordan |date=21 March 2024 |url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/review/rise-of-the-ronin/ |title=Review: Rise of the Ronin's great combat can't elevate a pedestrian open world |website=Video Games Chronicle |accessdate=21 March 2024}}
| Famitsu = https://www.gematsu.com/2024/03/famitsu-review-scores-issue-1842
}}
= Critical reception =
Rise of the Rōnin received "generally favorable" reviews from critics, according to review aggregator website Metacritic. In its FY2023 Annual Presentation Materials, Koei Tecmo noted that most critics praised the action and depth of Rōnin's combat systems, as well as the expanded story and setting at the end of the Edo period, although the quality of the game's visuals and open world design received criticism.{{Cite web |title=KOEI TECMO HOLDINGS CO., LTD. |url=https://www.koeitecmo.co.jp/e/news/2024/#Apr |access-date=2024-12-04 |website=KOEI TECMO HOLDINGS CO., LTD. |language=en}}
=Sales=
In Japan, Rise of the Rōnin sold 64,646 physical units during its first week, making it the third best-selling game behind Princess Peach: Showtime! and Dragon's Dogma 2.{{Cite web |last=Romano |first=Sal |date=2024-03-28 |title=Famitsu Sales: 3/18/24 – 3/24/24 [Update] |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2024/03/famitsu-sales-3-18-24-3-24-24 |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=Gematsu |language=en-US}} It had sold 128,110 physical units in Japan by 9 June 2024.{{cite web |last1=Romano |first1=Sal |title=Famitsu Sales: 6/3/24 – 6/9/24 |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2024/06/famitsu-sales-6-3-24-6-9-24 |website=Gematsu |date=13 June 2024 |access-date=13 June 2024}}
= Accolades =
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" width="auto"
! scope="col" |Year ! scope="col" |Ceremony ! scope="col" |Category !Result ! class="unsortable" scope="col" |{{Abbr|Ref.|References}} |
| rowspan="9" |2024
| rowspan="2" |PlayStation Partner Awards |Special Award |{{won}} |
| Users' Choice Award
|{{won}} |
| PlayStation Game Music Awards
|Traditional Sound Award |{{won}} |
| Famitsu Hall of Fame
|Platinum Award (New Game Cross Review) |{{won}} |
| rowspan="5" |Famitsu Dengeki Game Awards
|Game Of The Year |{{nominated}} |
| Best MVC (Game Developer/Studio)
|{{nominated}} |
| Best Voice Actor{{efn|Katsuyuki Konishi as Takasugi Shinsaku}}
|{{nominated}} |
| Best Characterization{{efn|Sakamoto Ryoma}}
|{{nominated}} |
| Best Action Adventure
|{{won}} |
{{clear}}
References
;Notes
{{notelist}}
;Citation
{{Reflist}}
{{Team Ninja}}
Category:Action role-playing video games
Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games
Category:Open-world video games
Category:PlayStation 5 Pro enhanced games
Category:Sony Interactive Entertainment games
Category:Video games about samurai
Category:Video games developed in Japan
Category:Video games set in 19th-century Edo period