Rise of the Rōnin is a chance to forge your own legend. The devs of Team Ninja throw you into the heart of Japan’s Edo period recently covered by Blue Eye Samurai and Shōgun. You become a Rōnin, a samurai without a master when an assassination you were tasked with goes wrong.

The plot is interesting without compromising the gameplay. The clash between tradition and the rapidly modernizing country blends the historical intrigue of the era and a barrage of thrilling action. The combat is fantastic and challenging, demanding the strategic thinking and fast reflexes we imagine real samurais had to hone.

Visuals are stunning — but manage your expectations. Team Ninja doesn’t have the budget of big dev studios like Sony or Rockstar Games, but the graphics are great for a developer of their size. While the beauty of the countryside and the impressive soundtrack make for a great experience, we think the studio bit off more than they could chew with the open-world concept — the world design can feel a little repetitive and the cities seem weirdly devoid of people.

Peak versatility: Not only is your character customizable — arguably the most fun part of a lot of games — but you can also play co-op with up to three players. It’s not often that you see an action-adventure RPG with that option. Even Assassin’s Creed only pulled it off with Unity. You can also toggle between three difficulty levels, making it a great hack-and-slash to unwind with or a challenging and strategic game.

? Rating:85% on Google Reviews

⌛ Hours of gameplay: 21 hours to complete the main story, 34.5 hours with side quests, and 75 hours for completionists.

? Platforms:PlayStation 5

? Price: USD 69.99 for the Standard Edition, USD 79.99 for the Deluxe Edition (digital only).

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