Does Team Ninja’s Open World Samurai Epic Deliver?
When Team Ninja announced an open-world action RPG set in the Bakumatsu period, fans of Nioh and Ninja Gaiden had high expectations. After years of development, Rise of the Ronin finally landed on PS5 in 2024 and arrived on PC in 2025. But the big question remains: rise of the ronin is it good? With a unique historical setting, a cast of over 80 characters, and a combat system that straddles the line between Nioh and Wo Long, the game has sparked plenty of discussion. We’ve spent dozens of hours exploring Yokohama, Edo, and Kyoto—tackling every side activity, building bonds, and testing both the PS5 and PC versions. Here’s our full verdict on whether this ambitious title hits the mark.
Setting and Story: A Fresh Take on the Bakumatsu Period
Rise of the Ronin drops you into 19th-century Japan, a time when the country emerged from over 250 years of isolation and faced foreign powers like the United States. You play as a Veiled Edge warrior, part of a twin duo trained to oppose the shogunate. After an early mission to assassinate Commodore Matthew Perry, your twin is lost, and you’re left to navigate the growing civil war between pro- and anti-shogunate factions.
A Historical Sandbox with Meaningful Choices
The narrative is arguably Team Ninja’s strongest to date. You meet dozens of historical figures, from Ryoma Sakamoto to Katsu Kaishu, and your choices genuinely affect which missions and allies you unlock. Based on player experience, the story pulls you in with political intrigue and drama—many reported never skipping dialogue and even asking optional questions to learn more. However, the sheer cast size means some characters disappear for long stretches, and the game subtly nudges you toward the anti-shogunate side. If you’ve been wondering rise of the ronin is it good for story lovers, the answer is a confident yes, provided you enjoy historical fiction with branching paths.
Bond System: Persona 5 Meets Team Ninja
A standout feature is the Bond system, reminiscent of Persona 5’s Confidants. You build relationships with key characters through dialogue, gifts, and bond missions. Each bond level unlocks gear, stat boosts, unique combat stances, and even the ability to bring allies on missions. The rewards are meaningful, and the system encourages you to invest in characters you genuinely like.
| Bond Level | Activities | Typical Rewards |
|---|---|---|
| Acquainted (Level 1) | Initial meeting, basic dialogue | Starting gear, first stance |
| Friendly (Level 2) | Bond missions, gift-giving | New skills, increased stats |
| Close (Level 3) | Story-driven quests | Rare weapons, armor sets |
| Fated (Level 4) | Max bond, unique cutscenes | Ultimate stances, exclusive gear |
Gameplay and Combat: A Middle Ground Between Nioh and Wo Long
Combat is where Rise of the Ronin gets divisive. The core systems—Ki management, stance switching, and the Counter Spark parry—are familiar to Team Ninja veterans. But the execution doesn’t always reach the heights of Nioh 2. The Counter Spark is punishing: missing a single parry can break your rhythm, and enemies have diverse move sets that require study. Many community reports note that the skill floor feels higher than in previous titles, and stealth often becomes the path of least resistance.
Weapons, Stances, and Martial Skills
The game offers nine weapon types, each with multiple stances that can be swapped mid-combat. Stances have compatibility with enemy weapons, rewarding players who adapt. Martial skills—special attacks that consume Ki—are powerful but often leave you vulnerable because enemies rarely stagger. The character switching feature is excellent, letting you swap between your main character and an ally to confuse foes or escape danger.
| Feature | Nioh 2 | Wo Long | Rise of the Ronin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Combat Focus | Ki pulse, Yokai Shift | Deflect, Spirit Gauge | Counter Spark, Ki Management |
| Difficulty | High (customizable) | Moderate | Moderate-High (three presets) |
| Enemy Variety | Yokai + Humans | Demons + Soldiers | Humans + Animals (varied move sets) |
| Open World | Mission-based only | Mission-based | Full open world + missions |
| Allies | NPC summons | NPC summons | Bond characters + character swap |
Open World and Side Content
The open world spans 27 square kilometers—larger than Ghost of Tsushima—and is filled with activities. While the world can feel a bit empty in places, there’s plenty to do: clearing bandit camps, collecting cats for the Geisha Cat Lady, defeating fugitives for combat skills, taking photos at historical sites, and participating in gliding or archery challenges. Bond missions range from simple fetch quests to engaging character arcs. The dojo offers the purest combat experience, letting you duel allies one-on-one.
| Activity | Description | Rewards |
|---|---|---|
| Fugitive Defeat | Hunt down wanted criminals | New combat abilities |
| Public Order | Clear unruly areas | Level progress, loot |
| Cat Collecting | Find cats for the Cat Lady | Bond items, trophy |
| Photography | Snap historical sites | Knowledge unlocks, side currency |
| Dojo Duels | Challenge bonded characters | New stances, gear |
Graphics, Performance, and Audio
Visually, Rise of the Ronin is the game’s weakest point. Character faces are stiff, with limited eye movement, and the color palette often feels washed out. The world design itself is solid—Yokohama’s mix of Western and Japanese architecture is striking—but the technical presentation doesn’t match other open-world titles. On PS5, frame rates can drop to 30–40 fps in busy city areas even in performance mode. On PC, the port has been criticized for optimization issues, with stutters during boss fights and occasional crashes.
| Platform | FPS Mode | Resolution | Typical Performance Issues |
|---|---|---|---|
| PS5 | 60 fps target | Dynamic 1440p | Drops to 30–40 in cities; stable in combat |
| PC (Mid-Range) | Varies | 1080p-1440p | Stutters, frame drops, occasional crashes |
| PC (High-End) | 60+ fps possible | 4K | Better stability but still some hiccups |
Audio is a high point: combat sound effects are visceral, and the Japanese voice cast includes industry legends like Takehito Koyasu and Yuichi Nakamura. The English dub is more uneven—actors range from natural to over-the-top. If you prioritize immersion, playing with Japanese audio is strongly recommended.
Final Verdict: Should You Buy Rise of the Ronin?
So, rise of the ronin is it good? The answer depends on what you value. If you enjoy deep historical settings, meaningful character bonds, and don’t mind uneven graphics, this game offers excellent value. A completionist playthrough can easily exceed 100 hours, and there’s replayability in making different faction choices. Combat is satisfying once you adjust to its rhythm, especially in dojo duels, but it doesn’t reach the polished heights of Nioh 2. Rise of the ronin is it good for multiplayer fans? Co-op is limited to missions, but the connection is stable, and teaming up with friends adds variety.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Rich historical setting with player agency | Subpar graphics and facial animations |
| Engaging Bond system (Persona-like) | Combat lacks flow compared to Nioh |
| Huge amount of content (100+ hours) | Performance issues on both platforms |
| Fluid character switching in combat | Some open world areas feel bare |
| Great Japanese voice acting | English dub inconsistent |
At $69.99, the game is content-complete and regularly goes on sale. Community reports suggest that waiting for patches is wise for PC players, but on PS5 it’s a solid experience now. Rise of the ronin is it good enough to buy today? If you’re a Team Ninja fan or love the Bakumatsu era, absolutely. If you need cutting-edge graphics or flawless combat flow, you might want to wait for a deeper discount.
For more details, check the official page on Team Ninja’s website.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is Rise of the Ronin good for someone who never played Nioh?
Yes. While the combat shares DNA with Nioh, the difficulty is more forgiving with three presets, and the open world allows you to explore at your own pace. The story and bond system are also more approachable than Team Ninja’s previous games.
How long does it take to beat Rise of the Ronin?
A standard playthrough focused on main missions takes about 40–50 hours. Completionists aiming for all bonds, side activities, and collectibles can easily spend over 100 hours. This is one reason many players answer rise of the ronin is it good for value—you get a lot of content.
Does Rise of the Ronin run well on PS5?
On PS5, the game targets 60 fps but drops to 30–40 fps in dense city areas. Combat and exploration outside those zones are smooth. Load times are fast. If performance is your top concern, consider the PC version if you have a powerful rig, but be aware of optimization issues.
Is the English voice acting bad?
It’s a mixed bag. Some characters sound excellent, while others are unconvincing. The Japanese voice track is universally praised and includes top-tier talent. Most community recommendations suggest playing with Japanese audio and subtitles for the best immersion.