Team NINJA’s Rise of the Ronin drops you into the beautifully chaotic Bakumatsu-era Japan. You can navigate the political strife of the shogunate as a lone masterless samurai, or you can share the burden with friends. The catch? You’ll need a subscription to unsheathe your blade alongside allies.
If you are asking whether a Rise of the Ronin PS Plus subscription is necessary, the answer is nuanced. It depends entirely on whether you plan to traverse the war-torn lands of Yokohama alone or with a team. Let’s break down exactly what the Rise of the Ronin PS Plus requirement means for your wallet and your gameplay experience.
What Is Rise of the Ronin? (The PS5 Samurai Epic)
Rise of the Ronin is an open-world action RPG set in 1863 Japan, during a period known as the Bakumatsu. Unlike the supernatural flavored Nioh series, this title focuses heavily on historical realism while keeping Team NINJA’s signature visceral combat. Players explore a massive map featuring iconic locations like Yokohama, Kyoto, and Edo.
The game is a PS5 console exclusive and is enhanced for the PS5 Pro, offering higher frame rates and visual fidelity. It features the studio’s signature combat depth—mastering stances is key to breaking enemy Ki—but adds a wider variety of traversal tools, including grappling hooks, gliders, and authentic period firearms.
Key Features:
- Dynamic Story: A rich multi-choice system that changes the fate of historical figures like Ryoma Sakamoto.
- Blade Sharpening: Choose an origin (Killer, Seducer, Beginner) that defines your starting stats and dialogue options.
- Difficulty Modes: Dawn (Easy), Dusk (Normal), and Twilight (Hard) can be switched at any time. Dawn even allows for increased health recovery to help newer players.
This open-world structure makes the cooperative mode incredibly appealing. It provides a massive sandbox for organic team-based gameplay, which is why the question of online subscriptions is so important.
Does Rise of the Ronin Require PS Plus?
The official PlayStation page clearly states: “PS Plus required for online play.” This is a strict requirement for the game’s cooperative mode. This means a Rise of the Ronin PS Plus membership is mandatory for anyone looking to play with friends.
It is important to note that the game has a robust single-player component. You get the full story, all side content, and the complete open world without any subscription. Sony mandates the subscription strictly for the online social features.
Complete Requirement Table:
| Gameplay Mode | Requires PS Plus? | Requires Internet? |
|---|---|---|
| Main Story (Solo) | No | No |
| Side Quests (Solo) | No | No |
| Open World Exploration | No | No |
| Character Customization | No | No |
| Online Co-op (Host) | Yes | Yes |
| Online Co-op (Guest) | Yes | Yes |
| PvP | N/A | N/A |
Sony’s stance is very clear: you can enjoy the entire game as a single-player experience without spending a penny on a subscription. The paywall only exists for the social component.
The Co-op Experience – Why PS Plus Makes It Better
The YouTube community reaction, captured in the video “Rise Of The Ronin Will Be A Lot More Fun With PS Plus”, rings true for many players. The co-op mode allows up to three players to tackle story missions together. This is not just a matter of having extra bodies; the game’s combat system genuinely shines with a team.
How Co-op Works: You unlock the “Veiled Edge Banner” early in the game. Interacting with this menu lets you create a room or join a friend. Guests help the host complete the mission, gaining their own loot and experience (Karma) along the way. You cannot free-roam the entire open world simultaneously, but the story missions are large, open sandboxes that allow for plenty of exploration.
Community Reports on Co-op: “Playing on ‘Twilight’ difficulty solo is brutally punishing. With two friends using different weapon stances and a rifle, it becomes a highly rewarding strategy game. It is the most fun I have had in a Team NINJA game since Nioh 2.” — Player Experience.
| Aspect | Solo (No PS Plus) | Co-op (With PS Plus) |
|---|---|---|
| Pacing | Controlled, atmospheric | Faster, chaotic, social |
| Difficulty | Challenging (AI focused) | Scalable, more manageable |
| Combat Synergy | Must master all weapons | Specialized roles (Rifle/Melee) |
| Loot Efficiency | Self-only | Shared drops, faster farming |
| Story Investment | Personal journey | Shared narrative experience |
The social layer adds a massive amount of replayability. If you are the type of gamer who enjoys grinding gear and mastering combat, having a dedicated team makes the journey much more rewarding.
Cost Analysis – Is the Subscription Worth It?
Let’s look at the hard numbers. You are investing in the game already. Here are the most common financial scenarios for utilizing your Rise of the Ronin PS Plus connection.
| Scenario | Total Cost | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Solo Samurai | $69.99 | No PS Plus needed. Best value for solo players. |
| Weekend Warriors | $79.98 | Highly cost effective for a focused co-op playthrough. |
| Dedicated Ronin | $149.98 | Great if you play other online games on PSN. |
| Patient Gamer | $79.99/yr (Extra) | Best value if the game eventually hits the catalog. |
Which PS Plus Tier do you need?
| Tier | Monthly Cost | Co-op Access | Game Catalog |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essential | $9.99 | Yes | No |
| Extra | $14.99 | Yes | Yes (Hundreds of games) |
| Premium | $17.99 | Yes | Yes (Includes Classics) |
You only need the Essential tier to play Rise of the Ronin online. The higher tiers are unnecessary for the co-op specifically but offer great value if you want to explore the wider Game Catalog or play classic PS1/PSP titles.
Step-by-Step Guide to Team Up
Ready to use your Rise of the Ronin PS Plus subscription? Here is exactly how to get started:
Prerequisites:
- An active PS Plus subscription (Essential or higher).
- Friends who also own the game and have a subscription.
- Completed the introductory “Prologue” missions (roughly 1.5 hours in Sakurada Village).
The Setup Guide:
- Load the Game: Start Rise of the Ronin from your PS5 home screen.
- Reach a Veiled Edge Banner: These are scattered throughout the game world (usually near major towns or crossroads). They act as your multiplayer hub.
- Open the Menu: Press the touchpad to open the main menu.
- Select “Online”: Navigate to the Online tab.
- Choose “Multiplayer”:
- To Host: Select “Create Room”. Choose the mission you want to run. This will lock the host’s progress to that mission.
- To Join: Select “Join Room” or accept an invitation directly from the PSN party menu.
- Wait for Players: The game will load the mission zone.
- Fight as One: Use combat synergies. One player can distract enemies while another gets a critical backstab.
Co-op Troubleshooting Tips
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| Can’t join friend | Ensure both have an active PS Plus subscription. |
| Mission locked | Both players must have the mission unlocked in their own story. |
| Connection lag | Check your NAT type on PS5 (Settings > Network). |
| Can’t find Banner | Complete the “Veiled Edge” prologue quest. |
If you run into issues, restarting the game usually resolves sync errors.
The Future of Rise of the Ronin on PS Plus
Given its release date over two years ago, many players wonder if Rise of the Ronin will join the PS Plus Monthly Games or the Extra/Premium Catalog. Sony Interactive Entertainment published the game, which historically bodes well for a catalog entry.
Ghost of Tsushima took about 2 years post-launch to hit the Extra catalog. Demon’s Souls took 11 months. If Sony follows this pattern, a Rise of the Ronin PS Plus catalog announcement could be imminent. Keep an eye on the official PlayStation Blog for future State of Play announcements. If it drops, subscribers on the Extra tier will be able to play the game for free, though they will still need the Essential tier (or higher) to access the co-op.
Conclusion
To summarize, Rise of the Ronin is a stellar single-player game, but it truly shines in co-op. The requirement for a Rise of the Ronin PS Plus subscription is a hard gate for the multiplayer component. If you want to experience the thrill of fighting alongside your friends against the Shogunate, the subscription is a necessary and worthwhile investment. If you prefer the lonely path of the ronin, you can save your money and still enjoy one of the best action RPGs on the PS5.
FAQ
1. Is a Rise of the Ronin PS Plus subscription required to play the game? No, the requirement strictly applies to the online co-op mode. The entire single-player campaign is fully accessible without any subscription.
2. What tier of PS Plus works for Rise of the Ronin? The Essential tier ($9.99/month) is sufficient to unlock the online co-op. The higher Extra and Premium tiers are not required for the game’s multiplayer.
3. How many friends can I play with in co-op? You can play with up to 3 players total (you and two friends). There is no PvP in the game.
4. Will Rise of the Ronin ever be free on PS Plus? While not confirmed, given its status as a Sony-published title and its age, a drop into the PS Plus Extra catalog is considered highly likely by the community. Check the official Rise of the Ronin PlayStation page for the latest updates.