What I enjoyed most about Rise of the Ronin was the freedom to move through its world as a samurai. Fighting enemies with different weapons, including swords and bows, and enjoying the beautiful scenery made it a game I would recommend.
That combination is the focus of this review. If your idea of a good samurai game includes room to explore, a choice of weapons, and a Japanese setting you can enjoy looking at, this is one to consider.
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What Is Rise of the Ronin?
Rise of the Ronin is an open-world action RPG developed by Team NINJA. It takes place during the Bakumatsu period, the closing years of the Tokugawa shogunate, and is available on PlayStation 5 and PC via Steam.
You play as a ronin—a samurai without a master. Its historical setting provides the backdrop for an action-focused adventure, with exploration and different approaches to combat forming a large part of the appeal.
| At a glance | Details |
|---|---|
| Developer | Team NINJA |
| Genre | Open-world action RPG |
| Setting | Bakumatsu-era Japan |
| Platforms | PlayStation 5; PC via Steam |
| What stood out to me | Freedom to explore, weapon variety, and beautiful scenery |
| Edition linked in this article | PlayStation 5 version on Amazon.com |
The Freedom to Explore as a Samurai
Being able to move freely through the world as a samurai was a major highlight for me. I enjoyed that sense of freedom: the setting becomes somewhere to explore, with fighting as another part of the adventure.
The game’s travel options include a horse, a glider, and a grappling rope, as outlined in Team NINJA’s introduction on PlayStation.Blog. These features help explain how the game approaches movement through its world.
If you are choosing a game mainly for sword fighting, consider whether you also enjoy exploration. Moving through the world is part of the experience you are buying here.
Swords, Bows, and Different Ways to Fight
Weapon variety was another highlight for me. I enjoyed being able to fight enemies with different weapons, including a sword and a bow. Having those choices adds to the freedom that I liked about exploring the field.
The broader selection goes beyond those two examples. Team NINJA’s combat guide lists weapons such as katana, paired swords, spears, odachi, and firearms. It also describes different combat styles and the use of ranged weapons.
For prospective players, the choice includes close-range fighting with a sword and ranged options such as a bow. The presence of firearms also fits the game’s setting in a period of change.
Combat involves more than selecting a weapon. The official guide explains Counterspark, which can deflect attacks, and Ki, which is involved in martial skills and breaking an opponent’s stance. Those systems are useful to know about if you are deciding whether the action appeals to you.
Beautiful Scenery That Adds to the Adventure
I also found the scenery beautiful. Alongside exploration and combat, the visual setting was one of the reasons I enjoyed the game enough to recommend it.
The official world guide introduces Yokohama, Edo, and Kyoto. Each gives the setting a different focus: Yokohama brings together Japanese and Western influences, Edo centers on the shogunate’s city, and Kyoto reflects the political turbulence of the period. The guide also highlights seasonal changes in the scenery.
If the setting leaves you curious about the real places, Yokohama is a natural starting point for further reading. Our Kanagawa travel guide introduces the region for a present-day visit.
Japanese Perspective: Understanding the Bakumatsu Setting
The word samurai can bring to mind many different periods of Japanese history. Rise of the Ronin uses the Bakumatsu era, when the Tokugawa political order was nearing its end and Japan’s relationship with Western powers was changing.
That context helps explain the combination of swords, firearms, Japanese streets, and Western influences. They belong to the game’s central theme of a society in transition.
It is useful to approach the setting as historical fiction. The game gives players choices and uses real history as material for an adventure, so its story should not be treated as a documentary account of events.
If the period interests you, our Shinsengumi guide offers a related starting point. Readers drawn to the weapons can also explore Famous Japanese Swords: Masterpieces and Samurai Stories.
Who Would I Recommend It To?
Based on what I enjoyed, I would particularly suggest Rise of the Ronin to these readers:
| What you enjoy | Why it may suit you |
|---|---|
| Exploring as a samurai | Moving freely through the world was a major highlight for me. |
| Trying different weapons | Swords and bows were part of the variety I enjoyed. |
| Beautiful Japanese settings | The scenery contributed directly to my recommendation. |
| Action games with historical settings | The Bakumatsu backdrop gives the adventure a distinct context. |
Combat is central to the game. If your main interest is peaceful sightseeing, watch some official gameplay before deciding whether the action is also something you want to spend time with.
What to Know Before Buying
Choose a Difficulty That Suits You
PlayStation’s official FAQ describes three initial difficulty options: Dawn, Dusk, and Twilight. Dawn also offers additional assistance settings.
Having these options is useful if you are interested in the setting but unsure about the combat. Your choice can reflect how much challenge you want from the experience.
Check the Platform and Edition
The Amazon link in this article is for the PlayStation 5 version on Amazon.com. Confirm the selected edition, seller, item condition, and delivery availability before ordering. For a disc copy, make sure your console has a compatible disc drive.
PC players should use the official Steam listing to check the system requirements and supported languages for that version.
If English or Japanese audio and text are important to you, check the language information for the exact version you plan to purchase. A listing for one region or platform should not be used as the language specification for every edition.
My Verdict: Why I Recommend Rise of the Ronin
I recommend Rise of the Ronin for the combination that stood out during my own play: the freedom to explore as a samurai, the ability to fight with different weapons, and the beautiful scenery.
If you enjoy exploration as much as action, and the idea of a wandering warrior in historical Japan appeals to you, those strengths make it worth considering.
Interested in the PS5 edition? Check the current price and purchase details below.
View Rise of the Ronin for PS5 on Amazon.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rise of the Ronin an Open-World Game?
Yes. It is an open-world action RPG. The freedom to explore as a samurai was one of the things I most enjoyed.
Can You Use Bows as Well as Swords?
Yes. Both are available, alongside other weapon types. The variety of weapons was another reason I enjoyed playing.
Is It Available on PC?
Yes. In addition to PS5, it is available on PC through Steam. The Amazon link above is specifically for the PS5 version.
Do You Need to Know Japanese History Before Playing?
You can approach it as an action adventure without making a history study plan first. Knowing a little about the Bakumatsu period can help you place its factions and historical references in context.
