Team Ninja’s Rise of the Ronin is a sprawling, combat-rich samurai RPG that captures the turmoil of 19th-century Japan. While the game was praised for its deep combat mechanics and character customization, one glaring omission for many PC players was the absence of a traditional New Game+ mode. Fortunately, the community has answered the call. This guide covers everything you need to know about the custom rise of the ronin new game save file that unlocks combat styles and cosmetics while resetting the narrative. If you are looking for the perfect rise of the ronin new game experience before diving back into Yokohama, this mod provides the ideal balance of progression and freedom for a stunning repeat playthrough.
Why an Official New Game+ Never Arrived
Rise of the Ronin launched initially as a PlayStation 5 exclusive before coming to PC. While the PC version brought performance upgrades and graphical options, it did not include the New Game+ feature many players hoped for. According to community reports, the desire for a mode that lets you replay the entire story with all your favorite gear was a top request. Without an official patch to provide this, the modding community stepped up. A dedicated creator known as Jacku (Shiroi Yaksha) developed a file that perfectly simulates a rise of the ronin new game run, bridging the gap left by the developers.
How the Community NG+ Mod Works
This custom save file is designed to be incredibly seamless. The modder created a save that is exactly at the point where the player unlocks the Longhouse in Yokohama (the main hub). The character is set at Level 5, and the primary mission active is “Follow your Blade Twin.” What makes this rise of the ronin new game save so special is what it unlocks. Unlike a standard fresh game, this mod gives you immediate access to every combat style, weapon, and cosmetic item available on the PC version.
What Resets vs. What Unlocks
| Reset To Clean Slate | Unlocked From Start |
|---|---|
| Main Story (Starts at Longhouse) | All Combat Styles |
| Character Level (Starts at Level 5) | All Weapons & Equipment |
| Side Quests & Bonds | All Cosmetics & Outfits |
| Exploration Progress | Redesign Menu Items |
| World Difficulty | Crafting Resources (Varies by version) |
The mod author explicitly recommends experiencing the game fully legitimately first. The joy of discovering combat styles naturally is considered a core part of the game. This file is designed specifically for the second playthrough, offering a fresh perspective without sacrificing the depth of your endgame progression.
Choosing Your Starting Wealth (Three Versions)
One of the best features of this mod is that it offers three distinct economic difficulties. This allows you to perfectly tailor your rise of the ronin new game experience based on how much of a challenge you want from the economy.
| Feature | Fleeting Ronin (Hard) | Modest Life (Normal) | Shogun’s Child (Easy) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold Coins | 5 | 10,000 | 1,000,000 |
| Silver Coins | 250 | 2,500 | 100,000 |
| Oban | 0 | 0 | 9,999 |
| Resources | Minimal | 200/500 | 9,999 |
| Playstyle | Earn everything from scratch | Balanced Start | Pure Power Fantasy |
- Fleeting Ronin: Start with nearly nothing. You have 5 gold coins and 250 silver coins. This is perfect for players who want the challenge of making a name for themselves from scratch while still having the combat depth of fully unlocked styles.
- Modest Life: You begin with 10,000 gold and 2,500 silver coins, along with 200/500 resources. This is considered the “intended” balanced start by the community—enough to buy basic supplies without trivializing the economy.
- Shogun’s Child: This version grants 1,000,000 gold, 100,000 silver coins, and 9,999 Oban. It turns the game into a pure power fantasy where you can immediately purchase any upgrade or cosmetic you want.
Step-by-Step Installation Guide
Installing this save file is the ultimate rise of the ronin new game setup. It requires careful attention to avoid losing your original data, so please follow the steps closely.
| Step | Action | Important Note |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Backup Your Saves | Navigate to Documents/KoeiTecmo/RiseoftheRonin and copy the entire folder to a safe location. |
| 2 | Determine Your Version | Download the correct file for your game (with or without Pre-order DLC). The mod offers a specific version for those who do not own the pre-order content. |
| 3 | Start a New Game | Play the game normally until you unlock the Longhouse. The mission “Follow your Blade Twin” should be active. |
| 4 | Replace the Save | Close the game. Paste the downloaded .dat file into your save folder, overwriting the existing file. |
| 5 | Reapply Appearance | The save uses the default character design. Before replacing, save your custom appearance. Load the NG+ save, enter the redesign menu, and load your appearance. |
| 6 | Save Multiple Slots | Once the save is loaded correctly, save the game over several different slots. This gives you multiple replays without needing to reinstall the file. |
Important Considerations:
- Pre-order DLC: The creator has uploaded versions for both owners and non-owners of the pre-order bonus content.
- PS5 Assets: A minor annoyance is that some PlayStation 5 exclusive items, like the Bando Armor, may appear invisible in the redesign menu due to missing assets. All standard PC items work perfectly.
Tips for Your Ultimate Replay
Now that you have your rise of the ronin new game save set up, here are some tips to maximize your enjoyment.
| Focus | Action | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Blade Twin | Focus on building bonds immediately. | Unlocks strong combat synergy and dual techniques. |
| Combat Styles | Experiment with weapons you ignored. | Maximize fun with fully unlocked combat trees. |
| Exploration | Complete Public Orders early. | Gain levels while using endgame gear. |
| Customization | Visit the Longhouse frequently. | Change your look using all available cosmetics. |
| Accessories | Earn accessories like earrings naturally. | These are the only items not unlocked via redesign. |
The mod opens up the game’s incredible combat system for immediate experimentation. Don’t be afraid to try a full Gunslinger build or a heavy Odachi style from the very beginning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is this rise of the ronin new game mod compatible with the Steam Deck? A: Yes, community reports confirm it works perfectly on the Steam Deck. You just need to access the Linux save file directory (usually found in the compatdata folder) or use Desktop Mode to perform the file transfer.
Q: Will I lose my original save file? A: As long as you follow Step 1 of the installation guide and back up your save folder, your original files will remain completely safe on your computer.
Q: Are there any known issues with this community NG+ mod? A: The save file is very stable. The only reported issue is the invisible PS5 exclusive items mentioned earlier. All standard PC items, weapons, and combat styles function perfectly.
Q: What is the best rise of the ronin new game wealth version to choose? A: If you want a pure challenge, choose “Fleeting Ronin.” If you want the most balanced experience that respects the game’s economy while giving you full creative freedom, “Modest Life” is the community favorite. For a power fantasy where you can buy anything, “Shogun’s Child” removes all resource barriers.
For the latest official updates on the game, check the Rise of the Ronin official Steam store page for system requirements and patch notes.
The lack of an official New Game+ in Rise of the Ronin was a missed opportunity, but the PC community’s ingenuity has filled the gap perfectly. With this save file, you can experience the entire story arc with the power and style of a master Ronin from the very start. Whether you choose the struggle of the Fleeting Ronin or the riches of the Shogun’s Child, this guide should help you get back into the fight without the grind.