2024-03-16 10:56:00
If you think this is a classic action RPG, you’re not wrong. Image: Sony Computer Entertainment
Video games
As a ronin, a samurai without a master, you will relive the conflicts that torn 19th century Japan in an action role-playing game in a combat-rich open world.
Armin didn’t like it
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After a good two hours of traversing the steep paths offered by Rise of the Ronin, I took a little more time than expected to tell you about my feelings. It’s not the kind of game I usually test, but I decided to get out of my comfort zone, see other things, breathe newness.
Over the months, Rise of the Ronin has been rather discreet in its communication. Sekiro-like? Ghost of Tsushima-like? Assassin’s Creed-like? If you think this is a classic action RPG, you’re not wrong. Nevertheless, despite its “déjà vu” approach, it contains some strong qualities specific to Team Ninja. I tell you from the outset, it is not a Souls-like, otherwise this “preview” would not exist.
The teaser:
Video: watson
An almost mastered narration
Image: Jvmag
The story in Rise of the Ronin will be strong throughout the game and like most RPGs, some of your choices will have an impact. A difficult point to verify at this stage of the adventure. The quality of the dialogues isn’t amazing, but it’s not ridiculous, and far from being unpleasant to follow.
I’m still a little disappointed not to feel as much of the emotions that the game wants to convey. It’s missing a little something to make certain moments more epics, or simply more poignant. But it’s ultimately like the game, everything is “almost” controlled, but sometimes there’s a lack of excess madness.
Technically a bit weak
Despite an artistic direction very close to what we saw in Ghost of Tsushima and really excellent lighting, Rise of the Ronin offers a dated technique. Textures that lack detail, and cities that are sorely empty, with buildings that just seem to be placed randomly.
Image: jvmag
The connections between certain models are not up to standard. The icing on the cake is that the appearance of the water seems to come straight from an older generation. In the end, all this doesn’t matter. The developers of Team Ninja are not technical enthusiasts, and that is not what we ask of them. If we ignore certain details, the game is generally pleasing to the eye although sometimes a little disappointing despite a game which advocates Ray Tracing.
Gameplay, the heart of the experience
If Rise of the Ronin has some shortcomings, it truly places all its strengths in its simply excellent gameplay. Dynamic clashes sometimes feel like a perfectly executed dance. As I mentioned above, here, you are not facing a Souls-like, but be careful all the same, the secret to a successful fight is found in dodges and counter-attacks.
Image: jvmag
With a little patience, you will learn the movements of your enemies, but nothing can replace good reflexes. The game offers three difficulty levels. For my part, I took the easiest one, afraid of finding myself stuck. In the end, the fights are well balanced, although sometimes a little simple. For the rest of my adventure, I decided to toughen up the challenge.
A rich world
A future RPG classic? It’s possible, or at least Rise of the Ronin ticks all the right boxes. Very rich, very varied, pleasant to play, devilishly satisfying to master, with its enormous open world that you will be able to discover on horseback and its dozens of different weapons to tame, this is a major adventure.
Image: jvmag
After these first hours on the game, I still had a feeling of “too much” stuff everywhere. From main to secondary quests, from overly extensive menus to weapons that are full of statistics and masteries to learn. There is still some good news: you do not need to follow everything to the letter and I was able to really embark on an adventure with my way of doing things and playing. With a lot of apprehension for this challenge, I take great pleasure in cutting up everyone who gets in my way to find what I hold most dear.
I’ll see you on March 21 for my complete test.
The series, which focuses on feudal Japan of the Edo era, is already a hit. Inspired by the eponymous literary epic by James Clavell and aesthetically very polished, the show convinces with a daring mix of intrigue, action and authenticity.
Every manager today knows that it feels alone at the top. This is also what a Japanese nobleman from the beginning of the 17th century, the ruler Taiko, said on his deathbed to his confidant:
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#tested #PS5 #samurai #game