PlayStation Plus has revealed its new monthly lineup of games to look forward to, and subscribers with an affinity for RPGs with good fighting will want to give Rise of the Ronin an attempt. Other titles, such as Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora and Dying lightcomes with other great alternatives to PlayStation Plus this month, but Rise of the Ronin is a game that didn't get the attention it deserved at launch. While by no means a perfect game, fans of Japanese history and strong combat mechanics can have a diamond in the rough on their hands with Rise of the Ronin.
One of the big reasons for that Rise of the Ronin failed to garner much attention at launch is due to the fact that it was released alongside a fairly large contender. Rise of the Ronin came out the same day as Capcom's Dragon's Dogma 2. Since the two were RPGs, many were drawn towards The Dragon's Dogma long awaited sequel. The Team Ninja-made RPG may have struggled to make a splash back in 2024, but its spot on the new PS Plus playlist could help give it a second wind.
Rise of the Ronin is worth a look
It is important to at least mention it Rise of the Ronin definitely has its drawbacks. Some of the biggest criticisms the game faced at launch was that it felt dated for a PS5 game. This isn't wrong, but it shouldn't keep RPG fans away either. The graphics and open world design are where it feels most dated, but other mechanics shine through. Rise of the Ronins gameplay, especially when it comes to combat, is on par with other modern RPGs, making it well worth looking past the dated graphics.
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Rise of the Ronin is all about choices, bonds, and intense combat
Set in 19th century Japan, the game follows an unnamed protagonist that players can customize and make their own. Gamers who love an RPG with good character creation will love to learn it, but there are even more great features to look forward to.
Rise of the Ronins gameplay, especially when it comes to combat, is on par with other modern RPGs, making it well worth looking past the dated graphics.
Fans of RPG like The Witcher 3 must not be blown off Rise of the Ronins story, as the storytelling can be a little awkward and downright confusing at times, but the choice-based mechanics can be a lot of fun to play with. Choices in the game are incredibly important in Rise of the Roninas the game is focused around the violent political turmoil of the era.
Rise of the RoninThe character creator has a unique take on the mechanic. Throughout the story, the game's protagonist works to avenge his dead twin, so the character creator allows players to design both the protagonist and his twin for the opening prologue. The customization that the character builder allows is very in-depth, which is great for players who love to spend a lot of time building their ideal protagonist.
Beyond the choices in Rise of the Roninthe strongest features of the game are found in the Bond System and its combat mechanics. Rise of the Ronin's Bond System tracks the protagonist's relationships with allies and factions. Connections can change alliances and outcomes, so it's a good game for those who love a bit of political drama. The combat is fast, brutal and satisfyingly fluid, and it ties everything together with a fantastic parry system. So even when the story fails to hit its emotional beats and feel cohesive, the Bond system and combat mechanics pick up and save the game.
Gaming's Feudal Japan Trend May Be Slowing, But Rise of Ronin May Satisfy Fans Who Want More
There have been plenty of great games in Japan over the years, but the 2020s in particular has seen a rise in titles based on the country's history. While many gamers who are fond of Japan's feudal era have probably played most of the recent titles to jump on this trend, there are still many out there who have yet to experience them all.
The biggest medieval Japan game of the 2020s
- Ghost of Tsushima
- Ghost of Yotei
- Assassin's Creed Shadows
- Like a dragon: Ishin
- Nioh 2
Those who were fond of Like a dragon: Ishins setting will definitely want to check out Rise of the Roninas both games are set in the Bakumatsu era. This time period in Japan's history is the perfect blueprint to build a game off of, and it's fascinating to see how the two approach the same era in different ways. Rise of the Ronin may not reach the same heights that games like Ghost of Tsushima and Yotei does, but Sucker Punch's take on feudal Japan will be hard to beat in general.
Although it was released a year earlier in 2019, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice also helped kick-start the feudal Japan trend.
Rise of the Ronins rough look may have deterred some players from checking it out, and understandably so. But adding the RPG to the PS Plus playlist gives subscribers a golden opportunity to see what the game is all about without having to take a risk when purchasing it. As gambling continues to get more expensive, it can be scary to take a chance on a game you're not completely sold on. While subscription fatigue is real, it's moments like this that show just how beneficial platforms like PS Plus can be.
Fans of Japanese history and strong combat mechanics can have a diamond in the rough on their hands Rise of the Ronin.
This RPG can be a little rough around the edges, though Rise of the Ronin has enough good things going for it gameplay-wise that it's a great way to experience another world set in one of Japan's most compelling periods of history. Since it's now part of the PS Plus catalog, there's really nothing to lose. Rise of the Ronin is a game that deserves to get a fresh audience, so it's time on the platform will hopefully get it in front of new players who can appreciate the RPG for what it is.
- Released
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March 22, 2024
- ESRB
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Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Language, Violence
- Publisher
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Sony Interactive Entertainment
