Initially launched on PlayStation 5, the game Rise of the Ronin was met with generally moderate responses. Although it garnered acclaim for its exhilarating action mechanics, smooth navigation, and intriguing backdrop, our assessment in our PS5 review echoes a broader sentiment that its narrative and writing were somewhat awkward. To put it simply, we deducted some points due to the uninspiring open world experience it offered.
Let’s discuss the PC version of the game, Rise of the Ronin, before diving into the actual gameplay. I had the pleasure of trying it out on a PC equipped with an AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D processor, 32 GB of DDR5-6000 RAM, and an AMD Radeon 7800 XT graphics card. The game was installed on an M.2 NVMe SSD to guarantee optimal performance without any potential bottlenecks.
Although the system specifications exceeded those suggested for the game on its Steam store page, performance wasn’t always smooth and consistent. For example, running the game at its highest graphical settings produced unpredictable frame rates that fluctuated between 70 frames per second (FPS) with occasional drops to 40 FPS at a resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels. Consequently, I had to adjust to using FSR’s Quality mode for upscaling. The frame drops without FSR were particularly noticeable during heavy foliage scenes, making combat in the grass treacherous due to dropped frames that disrupted my combos or parries. Activating FSR, even at Quality level, led to a slight reduction in visual quality but provided a more stable frame rate, peaking at 100 FPS with occasional dips into the mid-60s range.
“It’s also one of those games where a controller feels like an absolute must-have.”
It’s fortunate that we have multiple graphical adjustments at our disposal, making it feasible to achieve an optimal blend of high-quality graphics and smooth gameplay. I found myself choosing the High preset in order to play without resorting to FSR. Despite these settings, Rise of the Ronin maintains a respectable appearance. Although you might notice some visual glitches occasionally, particularly during heavy rain scenes, they only become a significant issue if you’re obsessed with every single pixel on your screen.
Despite taking into account all factors, I would advise against playing “Rise of the Ronin” on a portable gaming device like the Steam Deck. After testing it myself, I can assure you that significant optimization updates from Team Ninja are needed before the game becomes even moderately playable on this handheld system. Besides the struggles to run smoothly on the Steam Deck, the game’s crowded user interface doesn’t perform optimally on the smaller screen of the portable device. Although some UI elements can be turned off to declutter the screen, the in-game menus will still be challenging to navigate due to small text and numerous statistics you need to monitor regularly.
This game is designed primarily for play with a controller due to its quick-tempo battles. Although the keyboard and mouse controls work well enough, they were not the original intention. Fortunately, switching between these control options in the PC version is effortless and smooth.
In terms of visual appeal, the game Rise of the Ronin holds up quite well. The game’s backdrop, which is Japan during its final days of seclusion in the Bakumatsu period, has been beautifully depicted, and exploring its open world continues to be a delight. This enjoyment is significantly enhanced by the variety of travel methods available to you. The smooth transition from running at full speed to gliding while leaping off a cliff offers an exhilarating experience.
“Rise of the Ronin is still a decent looking game.”
When it comes to gameplay, Rise of the Ronin really excels in this area. The game seems to have refined and improved upon the combat and stance systems found in Nioh. Battles are incredibly swift but remain deadly, as missing even a single counter could swiftly deplete your health bar. You’re equipped with two melee weapons that can be swapped on the fly, along with a pair of ranged weapons for dealing with enemies from afar or creating powerful combinations using all types of weapons.
Similar to games such as Ghost of Tsushima and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice that are set in historic Japan, the combat in Rise of the Ronin also emphasizes the parry mechanic significantly. During a fight, you’ll need to lower your opponents’ energy by attacking them even if they block, causing them to dodge or retreat, and most effectively, countering their attack using the Counterspark. This involves timing the Counterspark perfectly with an enemy’s attack, which parries the entire move, depletes a large portion of their energy, and leaves them vulnerable for a swift follow-up attack or two.
After completely draining your adversary’s energy source (Ki), you have the opportunity to deliver a Critical Strike – an extravagant, typically enjoyable move that removes substantial portions of their health meter. For the majority of opponents, landing a Critical Strike alone will be sufficient to defeat them. However, during boss fights, it’s crucial to maintain offense while also being mindful enough to avoid missing Countersparks or dodges.
In Rise of the Ronin, the impressive fight mechanics are complemented by a straightforward stealth system which, fortunately, doesn’t hinder gameplay excessively as it’s primarily utilized to take down isolated enemies. Regrettably, this engaging experience is marred by the reality that the majority of the open-world content lacks appeal, making it seem like an unworthy investment of your time. In the open world, many quests feel generic and offer little more than ticking off completion boxes on a checklist similar to those found in recent Assassin’s Creed games.
The impressive fight sequences are complemented by a relatively straightforward stealth mechanism, which fortunately doesn’t hinder the gameplay excessively.
The main story quests and side-missions provide relief as they take place in customized levels optimized for the game’s stellar combat system, complete with tools such as a grappling hook. These are the only areas where you can activate cooperative play, inviting up to two additional players to join forces against your foes. Moreover, these levels frequently feature challenging boss fights that add excitement to the game due to their high intensity and seamless gameplay.
To summarize, “Rise of the Ronin” offers a diverse experience. The narrative, however, leaves room for improvement. It initially captivates with thrilling moments such as infiltrating a ship to assassinate Admiral Matthew Perry. However, the excitement dwindles post-open world exploration. Though you set out with a clear objective – reunion with your Blade Twin – you’ll find yourself entangled in complex political maneuvers related to the Tokugawa Shogunate and its rival factions. Despite encounters with intriguing characters, including historical figures like Sakamoto Ryoma and Admiral Matthew Perry, the story is let down by excessive awkward dialogue that prevents it from delivering a satisfying conclusion.
As a gamer, let me tell you, if you can look past the dull quest structure and the underwhelming narrative in Rise of the Ronin for PC, it’s an excellent fighting game. Performance-wise, it could use some tweaks to make things smoother. Frankly, a game that doesn’t push graphical boundaries shouldn’t strain my hardware as much as this one did.
This game was reviewed on PC.
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2025-03-07 15:17