Celebrated action roleplaying game creators Team Ninja have always had the reputation as a company that prioritized gameplay first, whether that be through the pulse-pounding minute by minute action of the Ninja Gaiden series or the build-centric Dark Souls-esque Nioh series, Team Ninja have always gone out of their way to create a spectacle, allowing you the freedom to struggle with each fight or one shot every boss as you please. Now, with their latest title, Playstation 5 exclusive Rise of the Ronin, on the horizon, we see some details of the vaunted gameplay that Team Ninja will be bringing to their first open-world action RPG.
Those familiar with Team Ninja’s work may recognize the animations, camera, and general feel of the game look similar to their old Nioh games, but the animations have been smoothed out a lot. We see that the game has different fighting styles, perhaps reminiscent of Nioh’s old stance system.
Also showing up is a stealth system, with stealth kills on British soldiers, another indication towards the interesting time period Rise of the Ronin takes place in. Also very British would be the bayonet the player can use, stabbing into enemies like a spear before firing into them with the rifle, a fantastic bit of brutality.
That’s not to say that actual spears are neglected, as the spear shows up in this game too, sheathed in electricity, hinting at a buff system or possibly consumables to cover your weapon in elements. The spear in Nioh was a very agile and speedy weapon, and it looks like Rise of the Ronin’s spear will take cues from that as the player flips over enemies effortlessly using the spear as a vault.
Also, there are guns. Nioh’s ranged weapons were very much a situational weapon, not to be used in combat but rather as a surprise attack. Here it looks as though the rifles, bows and revolvers take a very active role in the game, with the player character able to fire in combat even on horseback.
And of course, the trailer ends with a short demonstration of the game’s combo system. Honestly, the best advice I can give you is to watch the trailer for yourself, the gameplay is more than exciting enough to justify the watch and I can’t possibly cover every speculation from Team Ninja’s past game that could make it into this game.
So watch the trailer, and if the game looks appealing be sure to buy the game exclusively on Playstation 5 on March 22 of this year.