Together we can make it
Rise of the Rōnin is available since March 22nd. If you were expecting a game like Ghost of Tsushima, get ready for a surprise and a wild ride.
Synopsis
At a young age you barely escape the destruction of your village. You are taken in the Veiled Edge clan and are paired with another to be Blade Twins. On the first missions you and your twin are sent to assassinate an American representative. This is where it all begins.
Customization
As with most Action-RPG game you get to build you character as you want it. Selecting gender, body type, hair, face, eyes and more. Once you are done, you get to do it all over again for your twin. During the game if you like the look of a certain set of armor, you can apply that look to your armor even if you replace pieces.
Skills and more
Yes the game does have a skill tree and it is based on Strength, Dexterity, Charm and Intellect. To unlock skill you will need either point from that category or skill points. Skill points can be used in any category to unlock skills that requires skill points. Some skills can only be unlocked with points specific to that category. Points can be earned by completing, missions, clearing areas of the map or consuming certain items. Warning the items can often be used for something else, keep that in mind.
Allies and co-op
Yes the game can be played in co-op with other players. The select an ally is mission based, therefore the ally will leave your side once the mission is over. Your allies are not all available for a mission, also based on your play style and who you want to increase your bonding with is relevant.
Bonding
During the exploration and missions, you will create bonds with individuals. Be advised that the people you will meet are either pro-shogun or anti-shogun. your action will determine also which side of history you end up. Increasing the bond with an individuals reaps some rewards, those are different per the individual. To increase the bond, you can give them gift, be in agreement during conversation and perform specific task for them.
The art of war
In Rise of the Rōnin, you get to choose from a large selection of weapons. From the Katana, to the great sword and the spear to the saber. Some are slow others are fast, but with each different combat style can also be learned, therefore making a weapon and a style more effective against a certain enemy. Close combat is one way, but let’s not forget about the projectile weapons. From the hand tossed Shuriken to the bow and arrow, and since civilisation has reach the shores of Japan, let add the rifle and the revolver.
Travelling
Horse riding or walking are pretty generic, and fast travelling is always present in action-RPG with large maps. How about gliding, yes you can glide in this game. Not only can you do it but you are encourage to practice and master the art of gliding as well as firearms and archery. Yes, you can even hone your close combat skills at a Dojo.
Final note
For review purpose, the game was provided by Sony Interactive Entertainment Canada. The game sessions were on the PlayStation 5. At the time of writing these lines, I am 44 hours in the game with only 50% completion of the main story line. This game is HOT and Team Ninja delivered a good story with a lot of possibilities for the player to discover and try.