Rise of the Ronin
Team Ninja open-world action-RPG (Mar 22, 2024 PS5 exclusive; PC Oct 2025) — Boshin War-era 1860s Japan; masterless samurai (ronin) fighter with 4-weapon combat + faction system + open Yokohama/Edo/Kyoto worlds.
What is Rise of the Ronin?
Rise of the Ronin is an open-world action-RPG developed by Team Ninja (Koei Tecmo) and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment, released March 22, 2024 as a PS5 timed exclusive; PC (Steam) version released October 2025. Set in 1860s Bakumatsu-era Japan during the Boshin War (period of transformation from feudal Tokugawa shogunate to modern Meiji era, coinciding with the opening of Japan to Western influence). Player creates a customizable ronin (masterless samurai) fighter navigating the political divide between pro-shogunate + anti-shogunate factions across three open-world regions: Yokohama (Western trading port), Edo (later Tokyo), Kyoto (imperial capital). Real historical figures interact with the player-character: Ryōma Sakamoto, Katsu Kaishū, Ii Naosuke, William Adams, John Rutherford Alcock. Combat system: choose 4 weapon styles from ~10 options (katana, dual katana, spear, bayonet-rifle, glaive, etc.), each with 3 fighting stances (Ten/Chi/Jin) and counter-parry (Counterspark). Grappling hook + horse traversal + team-based mission structure allowing solo or 3-player co-op. Team Ninja's first-ever open-world game. Received strong reviews (79 Metacritic) though lacking Nioh's punishing difficulty rep.
Quick facts
Category
Video Games
Type
Individual
Players
1–3
Duration
~3000 min
Where played
indoor
Country of origin
🇯🇵 Japan
Estimated origin
Announced Sep 2022; PS5 launch Mar 22, 2024; PC release Oct 2025
Olympic
No
Popularity
major
How it works
Objective
Navigate Bakumatsu Japan political turmoil + master 4 weapon styles across open-world Yokohama/Edo/Kyoto.
Match structure
Single-player primary; co-op mission structure for 3-player group play.
Rules
Basic rules
4 weapon slots + 3 stances each
Customize 4 weapon loadout from ~10 options; each weapon has 3 stances.
Counterspark (parry mechanic)
Signature timed parry; successful parry chains reset stamina + counter damage.
Faction alignment (Pro-Shogunate vs Anti-Shogunate)
Choices align with either faction; affects story branches + character interactions.
Historical figures + Bond system
Build Bonds with historical figures; higher bonds unlock unique abilities + side missions.
Advanced rules
Team-based mission structure
Missions can be tackled solo or with 3-player co-op; scaling difficulty.
Grappling hook traversal
Vertical mobility across urban environments.
Photo mode + character customization
Extensive character customization (male/female, all body types).
Scoring
Story progression + character level + Bond levels; no PvP.
Equipment
PS5 (launch platform)
PS5 timed-exclusive at launch.
PC (Steam) — Oct 2025
PC release October 2025 (about 18 months after launch).
Standard controller
Complex counter-parry timing benefits from controller.
Positions & roles
Blade Twin (protagonist)
Player-created ronin; customizable.
Major competitions
Speedrun.com Rise of the Ronin
ongoing · worldwide · since 2024
Governing bodies
Team Ninja (Koei Tecmo)
Founded 1995 · Yokohama, Japan
Sony Interactive Entertainment (publisher)
Founded 1993 · Tokyo, Japan
Famous names & records
Famous athletes
- Yosuke Hayashi (Team Ninja head)
- Fumihiko Yasuda (director)
Records
Team Ninja's first open-world game
Team Ninja / Koei Tecmo — Rise of the Ronin — Team Ninja's first-ever open-world game (previously Nioh + Ninja Gaiden linear) (2024)
PS5 launch Mar 22, 2024
Sony Interactive Entertainment — PS5 exclusive launch March 22, 2024; PC release October 2025 (2024)
Sources & provenance
- Wikipedia — Rise of the Ronin— Wikipedia