Rise of the Ronin: Team NINJA's Definitive PS5 Samurai Epic Guide

Last Updated: October 22, 2025

The anticipation that once surrounded Team NINJA’s ambitious new IP, which was long shrouded in mystery, culminated in the release of Rise of the Ronin on March 22, 2024. This sprawling action RPG arrived as a significant PlayStation 5 exclusive, delivering a deep and challenging samurai experience that stands as a pillar in the console's 2024 lineup. Developed by the veteran studio behind Nioh and Ninja Gaiden, the game transported players to the turbulent "Bakumatsu" period of late 19th-century Japan, a time of civil war and immense cultural change, offering a complex blend of historical narrative and signature Team NINJA combat.

A New Blade for PlayStation: Sony's Commitment to Japanese Development

Rise of the Ronin represents a cornerstone of Sony's strategy to feature premier titles from renowned Japanese development partners. While Sony's own first-party studios like Sucker Punch Productions found massive success with Ghost of Tsushima, the collaboration with Team NINJA on Rise of the Ronin showcased a commitment to a different flavor of samurai action. This partnership underscored the strategic importance of the Japanese market and its universally acclaimed development talent.

By backing a title of this scale, PlayStation not only secured a major exclusive but also empowered a veteran studio to realize its most ambitious project to date: a true open-world action RPG. The game became a key talking point for the PS5, demonstrating the platform’s capacity for delivering vast, content-rich worlds alongside the fast-paced, high-fidelity combat that has become Team NINJA’s trademark.

Rise of the Ronin: A Forging of History and Action

Stepping away from the mythological yokai of the Nioh series, Rise of the Ronin grounds itself in a meticulously researched historical setting. The game unfolds during the final years of the Edo Period, a volatile era where the isolationist Tokugawa Shogunate clashed with pro-imperialist factions and the encroaching influence of Western powers. Players create their own protagonist, a custom warrior known as a "Veiled Edge," who becomes entangled in the complex political web of the time, interacting with real historical figures like Sakamoto Ryōma and Yoshida Shōin.

The gameplay is a masterful evolution of Team NINJA's established formula. The core combat revolves around a deep "Ki" (stamina) management system and the critical "Counterspark" parry mechanic, which rewards precise timing with devastating ripostes. Players can master a vast array of weaponry, from traditional katanas and polearms to Bakumatsu-era firearms like rifles and revolvers. This is all layered atop a complex stance system, where switching combat styles on the fly is essential for overcoming different enemy types.

Beyond its combat, the game was lauded for its exceptional traversal systems. Players can navigate the open-world hubs of Yokohama, Edo (modern-day Tokyo), and Kyoto using a grappling hook for swift vertical movement, a horse for overland travel, and a glider-like "Avicula" for soaring across rooftops and landscapes. This freedom of movement makes exploring the world a dynamic and engaging experience.

Critical Reception: The Sharp Edge and the Dull

Upon its release, Rise of the Ronin was met with a generally positive critical reception, though it was not without its points of contention. The combat system was almost universally praised as one of the best in the genre—deep, rewarding, and exceptionally fluid. The historical setting and the "Bond" system, which allows players to build relationships with key characters to unlock new skills and story paths, were also highlighted as major strengths.

However, the game drew criticism for its open-world design and technical presentation. Many critics noted that the world, while large, was filled with repetitive, checklist-style activities reminiscent of older open-world titles. Visually, while competent, it was not considered to be on par with other top-tier PS5 exclusives, with some reviewers pointing to a dated graphical engine and inconsistent performance. This created a divide where the game's core mechanics were seen as truly next-generation, while some of its structural elements felt rooted in the past.

The Legacy of the Veiled Edge

Rise of the Ronin has successfully carved out its own identity within the crowded field of samurai action games. It stands distinct from Ghost of Tsushima by focusing less on cinematic presentation and more on intricate, demanding RPG systems and combat mechanics. It differentiates itself from Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice by offering a broader open world, extensive customization, and multiple difficulty options, making it more accessible to a wider audience.

The game stands as a testament to Team NINJA's ambition and Sony's continued investment in diverse, high-quality exclusives. It successfully merged the studio's hardcore action pedigree with the scope of a modern open-world RPG. For players seeking a challenging and deeply engrossing journey through one of Japan's most fascinating historical periods, Rise of the Ronin delivers an essential and unforgettable PS5 experience that will be remembered as a bold new chapter for its legendary developer.