Team Ninja has become synonymous with best-in-class action gameplay. From Ninja Gaiden to Nioh 2, the fundamental act of swinging a sword or spear (or any number of deadly weapons) is reliably complex and satisfying, often with a challenging-yet-rewarding learning curve.
That Rise of the Ronin carries on this tradition is hardly a surprise—but, their latest work on PlayStation 5 offers so much more than satisfying combat. Team Ninja jumped katana-first into the crowded open-world space, and delivers something uniquely compelling.
I had a chance to play the game’s opening hours, and am excited to share details about the eclectic sights, sounds, combat, and traversal of Bakumatsu-era Yokohama.
A whole new world
After finishing the linear prologue, the events of which I won’t spoil here, I soon found myself thrust into the game’s vast open world—a first for Team Ninja. Armed with a katana, Western-style saber, musket, and trusty steed, I took the long route to Yokohama, scouring the countryside for crafting materials, climbing rooftops to pet cats (one of the game’s hidden collectibles), and freeing villages from the clutches of bloodthirsty bandits. Rise of the Ronin does a fantastic job of always keeping something curious in view—finish one side activity, and there’s usually another just out of reach to catch your eye.
Of course, the bustling port city of Yokohama is the centerpiece of this open-world environment (and, later, Edo and Kyoto), and it’s here that the game fully comes into its own. Yokohama in the late 19th century is caught between worlds, having recently been subject to American “gunboat diplomacy.” This is evident in the city’s eclectic mix of influences: guns and swords; top hats and kimono; and a fascinating tapestry of traditional Japanese dwellings and imposing brick structures.
The upshot is that this place is dense with opportunities to explore, and Team Ninja gives the player several tools to take advantage of the city’s verticality. Climbing up (or using a grappling hook) to scale buildings, and then using your prototype glider to soar across the rooftops, is a breeze. Rise of the Ronin drew me in for its uniquely textured world as much as the game’s razor-sharp combat.
I also acquired lodging in the city, where I was able to not only hang out, chat, and give gifts to visiting companions, but also rearrange furniture, customize my ronin’s appearance, and freely reset skill points.
Parry and riposte
For those familiar with Team Ninja’s recent run of modern action classics, Rise of the Ronin places a much greater emphasis on the duel itself. The game achieves this by prioritizing parries, called Countersparks, that drain your enemy’s Ki (stamina), which in turn makes them vulnerable to gruesome critical hits. Optimal play seems to emphasize staying within striking distance and timing your opponents’ attacks to counter, rather than the attack-and-dodge routine typical in games of this type. The combination of metal-on-metal clangs and bright sparks flying gives these duels a very cinematic feel—as does the speed with which you can slay your foes following successful Countersparks. Critical hits are varied and brutal, replete with detached limbs and massive blood sprays, making Counterpsarks worth the significant risk to pull off.
Season 2 of The Finals arrives on March 14 and strange things are happening in the free-to-play arena. The game show has been compromised by the rogue hacking collective CNS, and showrunners are scrambling to decipher their cryptic messages — but one thing is clear: the show must go on!
On top of new weapons to spice up the loadout of each class, viewers and contestants alike can keep an eye out for game-changing additions that are likely to disrupt the game show. The hacker collective has infiltrated the source code to add gadgets and abilities, alter maps, and even enter unauthorized contestants.
Throughout this jam-packed season, contestants can expect to experience the hacked and voxelized new map, several limited-time game modes, an all-new 5v5 game mode, and the new Hacker Playstyle. Contestants can step into the shoes of CNS, with a set of gadgets & a new specialization that can be mixed and matched with the existing toolset. Raise barriers, remove walls, defy gravity, tunnel across the arena, and transform items — become the glitch in the system, the ultimate cyber tactician, and bring a new dimension to the game.
Let’s take a closer look at the gadgets and abilities CNS has hacked together:
The Dematerializer for Mediums
A specialization that temporarily erases physical surfaces, like walls, ceilings, or goo — allowing contestants to see, shoot, and pass through them. Create new passageways and close them back up again as contestants turn every obstacle in their path into an open door.
The Anti-Gravity Cube for Heavys
A deployable cube that manipulates gravity in its immediate area, lifting contestants and objects upwards. Is it a traversal tool? Or a defensive gadget? It’s up to each contestant.
The Gateway for Lights
A pair of limited-range deployable portals. Whe
Pandora’s box has been opened, unleashing the myths and mortals of Fortnite Chapter 5 Season 2! Olympian legends — like thunder god Zeus and Hades king of the underworld — now rule the Battle Royale Island with otherworldly rage. Turn the tides against them like Poseidon in Chapter 5 Season 2: Myths & Mortals, out now!
Locations of legend
Grim Gate awaits
Brave enough to take on the horrors of The Underworld? Make your way to the west of the Island to Grim Gate, one of the ways to gain entry. But be wary of Cerberus, the three-headed dog who guards this location. Will you best him in combat?
Enter The Underworld
Welcome to the home of Hades: The Underworld. This dilapidated land is as barren as Hades’ heart.
The glorious Mount Olympus
Home of Zeus, Mount Olympus is the opposite of The Underworld — vast structures and monuments grace the great mountain. Take in all its glory, but keep your eyes peeled for opponents.
It’s a Brawler’s Battleground
Ares, the god of war, is always hunting for his next challenge. Venture south of Mount Olympus to Ares’ Brawler’s Battleground arena. (Heads up to all the Ares enthusiasts out there: he’ll be the Outfit of April 2024’s Fortnite Crew Pack).
Feel free to marvel at the locations that the gods have brought with them, but don’t forget what else has emerged from Pandora’s box…
Unleashing chaos upon the land
Harness the weapons and powers of the gods to carve your path to victory. Here’s a quick look at what you can wield in Myths & Mortals:
Zap opponents with the Thunderbolt of Zeus
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