Article / News

Team Ninja Reveals Rise of the Ronin, an Action RPG Set in Edo Japan

Screenshot of Rise of the Ronin, one of several RPGs coming this week

During the latest State of Play, Team Ninja announced Rise of the Ronin, an action RPG set during “Bakumatsu”, the very end of Edo-period Japan. The title will be a PlayStation 5 console exclusive and will release sometime in 2024.

Rise of the Ronin – State of Play 2022 Reveal Trailer:

It’s darkest before dawn. In Rise of the Ronin you will explore an evolving world as you fight to forge a new era for Japan.

You are a Ronin, a warrior free from all masters and bonds and as your destiny intertwines with story characters, take part in an immersive combat focused action experience.

First Details on Rise of the Ronin

Following the title’s announcement, PlayStation Blog released an interview with Fumihiko Yasuda, director and president of Team Ninja, where he provided us with an introduction to Rise of the Ronin:

Rise of the Ronin is a combat focused open-world action RPG that takes place in Japan at a time of great change. It is the very end of a 300-year long Edo Period, commonly known as “Bakumatsu”. Set in the late 19th century, Japan is facing the darkest of times as it struggles with its oppressive rulers and deadly diseases while western influence permeates as civil war continues to rage between the Tokugawa Shogunate and the Anti-Shogunate factions.

Here in this time of mayhem, you embody a Ronin character, a warrior bound to no master and free to make choices of its own. Rise of the Ronin is a new Team Ninja experience that will immerse you in an historically inspired world while bringing together its renowned combat action with Katanas and the likes, with new firearm weaponry that depicts the unique personality of its time period.

Rise of the Ronin Screenshot

We at Koei Tecmo, have had many titles in the past that were based on history. But with Rise of the Ronin, we set out to take the next big step. By harnessing all the skills and knowledge we’ve gained over the years we really wanted to take things to the next level by attempting to thoroughly portray the most critical revolution in the history of Japan including the darkest and ugliest chapters that many will shy away from. This is undoubtedly the most ambitious and challenging project for Team Ninja Studio to date. Yet we will allow our experience in creating samurai and ninja action games to guide us through this journey.

Rise of the Ronin Screenshot

Beyond the action elements, we will be steadfast in our efforts to create a multilayered story that showcases the world of the Bakumatsu period and the revolution that took place. The characters that you will meet all have their own brand of justice and motivations, and whether you decided to side with or against them… each decision you make will matter. With new combat action and unrestrained open gameplay, we are looking forward to setting you free as you immerse yourself as a Ronin.

Rise of the Ronin is set to release as a PS5 console exclusive sometime in 2024. At the time of writing, Team Ninja has not revealed whether or not the game will also release on PC. For future updates on Rise of the Ronin, you’re already in the right place here at RPGFan.

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Tom Cox

Tom Cox

Tom is a News and Social Media Editor at RPGFan, with a love for Pokémon and One Piece. When he's not playing RPGs, he can also be found running, reading manga and watching anime.

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