“Japan, 1863. After three centuries of oppressive rule, the Tokugawa shogunate is coming to an end when the sudden arrival of Western black ships plunges the country into confusion. In the heart of a country plagued by chaos and division, an anonymous fighter prepares to forge his own path and, in so doing, influence the destiny of Japan.
Rise of the Rōnin, without mastery of combat there is no salvation££££
The scene is set with the official pitch of Rise of the Rōnin, an open world game which immediately stimulates comparison with Ghost of Tsushima by Sucker Punch Productions. And if the new title published by Koei Tecmo is not as beautiful, it is nonetheless successful, in particular thanks to the pedigree of its development studio, Team Ninja creator of Dead or Alive or Ninja Gaiden. The latter, one of the most emblematic titles from the Japanese studio distinguished by a cutting-edge combat system and arduous confrontations, was undoubtedly an inspiration for Rise of the Rōnin. With, fortunately, a formerly cruel difficulty revised downwards to offer gameplay allowing (almost) everyone to progress in the game. You still have to hang on and master the fights to survive.
We therefore recognize the developer's past with fighting sequences proving to be the highlight of the Rise of the Rōnin game, supported by a wide selection of weapons to adapt to everyone's style: sabers, swords, spears, guns and even flamethrowers. Yes, realism is not the priority, and in some ways that's a good thing.
Rise of the Rōnin, travels back in time for a different adventure££££
Besides the confrontations, the movements are also pleasant and dynamic, including a sort of portable hang-glider that can be retracted at will, a faithful steed more a grappling hook to cover large distances but also to grab the felon to bring him within range of your blades. As most often, open world gaming means numerous side quests, a bit like Ubisoft titles. Missions that advance the story, rest assured. Some of them can also be played as a team with two other players online.
It's a shame that the entire game can't be done like this, but let's be content with the extensive content already offered. Also note, good idea, decisive branches in the unfolding of the scenario depending on your choices, and the possibility of literally traveling in time to redo certain important missions and explore different situations by changing your past decisions, so as not to really miss nothing.
Ready to pet cats?££££
To summarize, if Rise of the Rōnin does not reinvent the wheel it offers a playful dynamism which encourages you to return to it, in addition to one of the most interesting contexts of Japanese history, even if it is revisited here in a grandiloquent way. Finally, the icing on the cake: we can pet cats!
Last clarification, if several game modes are offered (to be discovered below), the display frequency remaining variable in all cases or almost (the most stable is the Ray Tracing mode), a VRR compatible broadcaster to accompany these changes in the number of images per second (fps) displayed is therefore recommended:
• Performance mode: 1080p, variable frequency from 45 fps to 60 fps
• Mode Quality: 1440p variable from 35 fps to 45 fps fps
• Ray Tracing mode: 1080p approximately 50 fps
