The Veiled Edge Awakens
Rise of the Ronin is a game of stark contrasts. On one hand, it delivers some of the best third-person action combat this generation, with a deep Ki management system and a wealth of weapon styles that make every encounter feel fresh. On the other, it’s bogged down by a bloated open world that feels straight out of the Assassin’s Creed playbook. Our Rise of the Ronin review examines whether the stellar combat can save the game from its own ambition, exploring the historical Bakumatsu setting, the innovative bond system, and the unfortunate loot avalanche that sours the experience.
Set in mid-19th-century Japan, just after the country was forced open by Commodore Perry’s Black Ships, the game casts you as a pair of “blade twins” from the Veiled Edge – a secret organization trained to oppose the shogunate. You can fully customize both warriors, then set off to assassinate Perry in a gripping prologue. What follows is a decades-spanning narrative where you meet historical figures like Sakamoto Ryoma and choose between pro- and anti-shogunate factions. It’s a “fun popcorn movie” of a story, as one player described it – enjoyable while it lasts but quickly forgotten once the credits roll. Still, the historical fiction world is rich with detail, and your choices, though limited by real events, add meaningful replayability through the Testament of Souls time-travel system.
Combat That Cuts Deep
The soul of Rise of the Ronin lies in its combat. Team Ninja has refined the formula from Nioh, removing yokai but keeping the punishing Ki (stamina) economy and adding a brilliant rock-paper-scissors style system. Each weapon type comes with multiple fighting styles that can counter enemy stances. For example, a katana has up to eight combat styles, including one inspired by Ryu Hayabusa’s moveset, while other weapons like the oxtail blade or paired swords have three or four. Mastering the “counter spark” – a timed deflection that opens enemies to critical strikes – is essential for higher difficulties and feels incredibly rewarding.
Weapon type overview:
| Weapon | Best Use | Number of Styles | Weakness |
|---|---|---|---|
| Katana | Versatile, high combo potential | 8 | Can be outranged by longer weapons |
| Odachi | High damage, wide swings | 4 | Slow against agile foes |
| Paired Swords | Quick flurries, flashy combos | 4 | Low reach requires close quarters |
| Oxtail Blade | Agile, excellent for critical hits | 3 | Positioning-dependent |
| Sabre | Western flair, balanced | 3 | Somewhat predictable |
| Greatsword | Heavy damage, guard breaking | 4 | Slow recovery |
| Bayonet | Ranged & melee hybrid | 2 | Ammo-dependent for ranged |
Boss fights are a highlight. They move fast, demand pattern recognition, and punish players who rely only on dodging and punishing. Use counter sparking, mid-combo style changes via Violent Gale, and blade cleaning to restore Ki, and you’ll feel like a true swordsman. The difficulty curve is classic Team Ninja: initially overwhelming, then manageable, and later empowering as you demolish enemies you once feared.
A Historical Tour Through Bakumatsu Japan
The game’s narrative presents a reasonably authentic backdrop without getting bogged down in political heavy-handedness. You’ll meet both pro-shogunate loyalists and anti-shogunate rebels, each with their own bonds that grant perks, style upgrades, and story information. The bond system is one of the game’s most engaging RPG elements – deepening relationships with characters unlocks new missions, dialogue options, and even lets you rewind time to replay key choices.
At the start, you choose a “Blade Sharpening Origin” akin to a starting class:
| Origin | Primary Stat | Starting Skills | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Killer | Strength | Intimidate, critical damage boost | Kats, odachi, greatsword |
| Breaker | Dexterity | Rapid Assassinations, stealth bonuses | Paired swords, spears |
| Seducer | Charm | Persuasion, party buffs | Polearms, oxtail blade |
| Beginner | Balanced | Versatile skills | Trying all playstyles |
| Unsharpened | Low all stats | Extra challenge | Experienced players |
The main story missions – which can be played solo with AI companions or with two friends in co-op – are linear, tightly designed levels that culminate in a boss fight. These are far more memorable than the open-world filler (fetch wood, clear bandit camps). The mismatch between the two styles is jarring, but the co-op implementation is fantastic when it works, though you’ll need to progress individually to unlock new missions.
The Open World: Beauty and Bloat
The maps of Yokohama, Edo, and Kyoto are stunning, with varied landscapes, period architecture, and plenty of verticality. You can explore on horseback, use a grappling hook to scale buildings, and even equip a glider for rooftop swoops. There are genuine joys: finding cats gives a charming cutscene, petting pilgrim dogs is adorable, and photography missions add a creative outlet.
Side activities ranked by fun vs. reward:
| Activity | Fun Factor | Reward Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cat collecting | High | Low (cosmetic) | Pure charm |
| Pilgrim dogs | High | Low (radiant quest) | Petting is addictive |
| Photography | Medium | Medium (skill points) | Creative but repetitive |
| Shrine hunting | Medium | Medium (skill points) | Good incentive for exploration |
| Bandit camps | Low | Low (generic loot) | Ubisoft tower syndrome |
| Gathering requests | Low | Low (reputation) | Tedious filler |
The biggest issue is the loot avalanche. Enemies constantly drop dozens of weapons and armor pieces, most with meaningless incremental stat upgrades. You’ll spend half your time in menus dismantling or selling trash. The upgrade system lets you improve gear you like, but the volume is overwhelming – one player reported holding “several hundred items after two missions.” This design choice poisons otherwise fun activities, because the reward is always more junk.
Co-Op, Performance, and Technical Hiccups
Co-op is limited to mission-based play – you can’t free-roam with friends. When it works, it’s a blast: allies can revive you, and you can switch between characters mid-fight. However, the need to progress solo between missions interrupts the flow.
On the technical side, the PC version, which launched later, has faced significant performance problems based on player reports. Frame rate drops during 1v1 boss fights, clipping, and occasional crashes have been widely shared. The developer has been issuing patches, but as of mid-2026, stability remains inconsistent. If you’re on PC, it’s wise to check the latest updates before buying.
The Verdict: Should You Draw Your Blade?
Rise of the Ronin is excellent when it leans into its strengths: a deep, rewarding combat system; a fascinating historical setting; and an innovative bond mechanic. But it’s frequently undermined by outdated open-world conventions, a tiresome loot system, and technical rough edges. If you’re a fan of Team Ninja’s combat and can tolerate the bloat, there’s a 40-hour samurai power fantasy to enjoy. For others, consider waiting for a deeper sale or performance patches.
For more details and system requirements, visit the official game page on Rise of the Ronin on Steam.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rise of the Ronin a soulslike?
It shares elements like stamina management (Ki), checkpoints (Veiled Edge Banners), and loss of currency on death (Karma). However, its rock-paper-scissors weapon styles, co-op, and more open-ended mission structure make it distinct. It’s more accessible than Nioh but still demands precision.
Can you play the entire game in co-op?
No. Only select story missions support co-op, and you must own the same version (PS5 or PC cross-play not available). The open world is single-player only. This limitation disappoints those hoping for a full shared experience.
How does the loot system affect gameplay in Rise of the Ronin?
The volume of gear drops often leads to constant inventory management. While you can dismantle or upgrade items, the sheer quantity of incremental stat boosts dilutes the satisfaction of finding new equipment. Many players find it the game’s weakest element.
What are the PC system requirements for Rise of the Ronin?
Officially, you need at least an Intel Core i5-8400 / AMD Ryzen 5 1600, 16GB RAM, and an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 (6GB) for lower settings. For recommended ultra settings, a Core i7-10700K / Ryzen 7 3700X and RTX 2070 is suggested. However, player reports indicate that even high-end rigs can experience stutters, so check the latest patch notes.