Rise of the Ronin: A Masterful Blend of Gaming’s Finest Elements

A Familiar Yet Fresh Samurai Adventure

The Comfort of Familiarity

As I grappled onto the rooftop using my trusty hook, a sense of déjà vu washed over me while playing Rise of the Ronin. This isn’t necessarily a negative aspect; having experienced many of Team Ninja’s previous titles, the bloody familiarity felt oddly reassuring.

Team Ninja has consistently delivered quality games across various genres in recent years. From tackling the Soulslike genre with Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty and Nioh, to the fighting game realm with Dead or Alive, and action RPGs like Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin, the studio has showcased its versatility. Now, with Rise of the Ronin, Team Ninja ventures into the open-world RPG territory, drawing inspiration from its own past works and those of other developers like FromSoftware.

A Promising Start

During my two-hour preview of Rise of the Ronin ahead of its March 22 launch on PS5, I discovered a melting pot of Team Ninja’s greatest hits and influences. While it remains to be seen if all these elements will seamlessly blend together, the strong opening sequence and fluid combat have already set the stage for an engrossing, blood-soaked samurai journey.

Double Trouble: The Twin Blades

Rise of the Ronin kicks off with an intriguing twist. Two siblings flee from a burning village, pursued by bloodthirsty samurai, only to be rescued by an elderly woman who takes them under her tutelage, transforming them into the formidable Twin Blades. The game’s character creator allows players to customize both heroes, adding a unique layer to the experience.

Throughout the game, players can seamlessly switch between the Twin Blade characters, a mechanic I leveraged to great effect during the tutorial boss battle against Commodore Perry, an American diplomat seeking to establish trade with Japan. While one twin distracted the boss, I unleashed a flurry of attacks from behind, and when necessary, I swapped to the other twin to parry incoming strikes.

Thankfully, the parrying system in Rise of the Ronin is more forgiving compared to Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty, with a generous timing window that made deflecting attacks and draining the boss’s stamina meter a breeze. Each successful hit and kill is morbidly satisfying, with blood drenching enemies’ attire and gushing from every wound, reminiscent of the Ninja Gaiden series.

An Open World of Possibilities

Upon completing the tutorial, I was thrust into the open world. While comparisons to Ghost of Tsushima are inevitable despite the different time periods, Rise of the Ronin feels more akin to an Assassin’s Creed title, offering a potential glimpse into what Ubisoft’s upcoming Assassin’s Creed Red might entail.

Familiar Mechanics, Fresh Twists

Like most open-world games, Rise of the Ronin features its own take on bandit camps called Public Orders. These play out as expected: eliminate all enemies in the area to unlock the banner flag, which serves as the game’s version of a bonfire save point.

As you slay foes, you accumulate Valor, which can be spent on skill points to unlock new abilities. Interestingly, this is where the most iconic Soulsborne feature comes into play. Upon death, you lose your Valor, and a bounty is placed on the enemy who vanquished you. Only by defeating this nemesis can you reclaim your lost Valor. This adds an unexpected challenge to the game, even with its more forgiving difficulty compared to the likes of Dark Souls. For those seeking a greater test of skill, three difficulty settings are available.

A Melting Pot of Inspiration

Rise of the Ronin draws inspiration from various games, incorporating elements that enhance the overall experience. The stance system, reminiscent of Team Ninja’s Nioh, allows players to exploit enemy weaknesses and stagger them more effectively. A grappling hook, similar to that in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, enables stealth kills from a distance and grants access to elevated positions, providing a thrilling sense of verticality. Additionally, the inclusion of a glider and horse, akin to those in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, offers players a myriad of options and freedom when exploring the vast open world.

Exploring the Diverse Combat and Exploration in Rise of the Ronin

A Promising Start

Though I’ve only scratched the surface, Rise of the Ronin has already impressed me with its wide array of combat styles and exploration possibilities. It seems that Team Ninja is tapping into the wealth of experience they’ve accumulated over nearly 40 years in the gaming industry. While incorporating elements from various genres can sometimes dilute a game’s unique identity, I’m hopeful that Rise of the Ronin will manage to forge its own path through the sum of its parts.

Release Details

Rise of the Ronin is set to launch exclusively on PlayStation 5 on March 22. You can learn more about the game on the official PlayStation website.

More Gaming Recommendations

• Discover our top 5 must-play minigames in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
• Don’t miss out on this thrilling action game available on PS Plus this month
• Get the latest info on Stellar Blade’s release date, trailers, gameplay, and more
• Hideo Kojima teams up with Sony for a new stealth action game
• Stellar Blade looks poised to be the PS5’s first major release of 2024 this April

Customizing the PS5 Slim: A Mario-Themed Makeover

While the debate over the best gaming console rages on, there’s one aspect where the PlayStation 5 stands out: its customization options. The original PS5 allowed users to easily swap out the console’s faceplates, a feature that Sony has carried over to the slimmer PS5 model. With the launch of the Deep Earth Collection, a whole new range of console covers has become available.

Initially, I didn’t give much thought to this feature, seeing it as an expected addition. However, that changed when I transformed my PS5 into a one-of-a-kind, Mario-themed “special edition” console.

Tekken 8: Bringing Resident Evil’s Leon Kennedy into the Ring

Despite Tekken 8 being out for just a few days, creative fans have already found ways to recreate their favorite characters from other franchises using the game’s robust character customization tools. One of the most impressive creations so far is a strikingly accurate version of Leon Kennedy, closely resembling his appearance in the recent Resident Evil 4 remake. This allows players to enter the King of Iron Fist Tournament as the zombie-slaying hero … in a manner of speaking.

YouTube creator Dan Allen Gaming showcases how it’s possible to replicate Leon Kennedy’s iconic look using Tekken 8’s detailed customization features. From his signature leather bomber jacket to his quintessential ’90s haircut, every aspect is perfectly captured by using the fighter Lars as a base due to his similar frame and stature to Leon.

PlayStation State of Play, January 2024: Viewing Guide and Expectations

Sony has announced that its next State of Play event will take place on January 18, 2024, at 2 p.m. PT. The livestream will be available to watch on PlayStation’s official Twitch and YouTube channels.

According to Sony, the showcase will feature updates from its third-party partners, with a focus on games launching in early 2024. The event is expected to run for approximately 20 minutes.

I’m only a few hours in, but I’m enjoying the variety of different combat and exploration options that I’ve seen so far. Rise of the Ronin feels like Team Ninja is drawing upon everything it has learned so far in its nearly four decades of existence. There’s a risk in implementing so many ideas from different genres, sometimes making the end result indistinguishable from its peers, but hopefully the sum of its parts gives rise to the Ronin’s identity.

<p

PlayStation’s First State of Play of 2024: What to Expect

Sony has revealed its plans for the inaugural State of Play event of 2024, scheduled for January 31. This digital presentation, akin to Xbox’s recent Developer_Direct, will provide a glimpse into what PlayStation enthusiasts can anticipate in the coming year. With an extended runtime and a lineup of captivating exclusives, this showcase is not to be missed by PlayStation devotees.

Event Details

The State of Play will commence at 2 p.m. PT on January 31, with a duration surpassing 40 minutes, as stated by Sony.

Where to Watch

Fans can tune in to the live broadcast of the State of Play event through the official PlayStation YouTube channel:

Anticipated Announcements

While specific game reveals remain under wraps, it is widely speculated that the event will feature updates on highly-anticipated PlayStation exclusives. Titles such as the sequel to Horizon Zero Dawn and the next installment in the God of War series are among the most eagerly awaited announcements.

With an extended showcase packed with exciting exclusives, PlayStation fans have much to look forward to in this State of Play event. As the gaming community awaits further details, the anticipation continues to build for what promises to be a thrilling start to PlayStation’s 2024 lineup.