Rise of the Ronin’s PC Release: Bad Timing or Brave Move?

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This year has been a whirlwind for Team Ninja so far. Last week during the Xbox Developer Direct event, they unexpectedly showed up and unveiled the forthcoming game, “Ninja Gaiden 4”. Additionally, they secretly launched an Unreal Engine 5 remastered version of the 2008 game titled “Ninja Gaiden 2 Black“. To top it all off, Team Ninja has recently announced that the PC version of last year’s release “Rise of the Ronin” will be available soon.

First appearing on PlayStation 5 in March 2024 as an exclusive title, “Rise of the Ronin” is an open-world action role-playing game where players assume command of a unique wanderer warrior, slashing through 19th century Japan. Now, it has been announced that “Rise of the Ronin ” will be available on Steam starting March 11, 2025. This launch date could potentially place it in the spotlight alongside one of the year’s most anticipated releases.

Rise of the Ronin’s March PC Release Date Puts It In Proximity to Another Open-World Samurai Game

Assassin’s Creed Shadows Releases Just Nine Days After Rise of the Ronin

From a first glance, “Assassin’s Creed Shadows” and “Rise of the Ronin” appear to be quite alike in terms of their settings. While “Assassin’s Creed Shadows” is set in a historical Japan from the mid-16th century, “Rise of the Ronin” transports us to a historical version of Japan during the mid-19th century. Despite the difference in eras, both games display striking similarities in their architectural structures and surroundings.

As an enthusiast, I’m eagerly anticipating that in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, we’ll see recurring ronin-esque personas akin to Naoe, who masterfully navigates as a stealthy shinobi, and Yasuke, who wields his samurai skills with lethal precision. The weaponry in both games is expected to share similarities, granting us katanas and larger, Odachi-like bladed weapons for a truly immersive experience.

As a fan, I can’t help but notice the striking resemblance between the upcoming “Assassin’s Creed Shadows” and the recently released “Rise of the Ronin”. Both games fall under the open-world action-RPG genre, and it’s clear that their gameplay mechanics share some common ground. Although the specifics of “Assassin’s Creed Shadows” open world are still under wraps, I have no doubt it will be filled with a variety of side activities, some of which might mirror those in “Rise of the Ronin”. The combat in both games, heavily focused on melee, also seems to share similarities, emphasizing parries and ripostes.

Rise of the Ronin’s PC Release Might Be a Tough Sell

For gamers who are eager for a single, expansive action-RPG set in Japan’s rich historical background this March, it might be challenging for Rise of the Ronin to persuade them that it should be their top pick. While Rise of the Ronin received mostly positive feedback upon its release, it didn’t quite reach the level of being an essential game to play. Additionally, it doesn’t fall under the category of a thrilling new AAA production.

The computer version of “Rise of the Ronin” will undoubtedly broaden its player base, and the PC-specific elements such as 8K resolution, 120FPS, and NVIDIA DLSS support are certainly attractive bonuses. However, “Rise of the Ronin” might find it challenging to win over players when compared to “Assassin’s Creed Shadows,” a game with greater brand recognition and something entirely fresh. Perhaps, “Rise of the Ronin” would have had a better chance if it had been released ahead of “Assassin’s Creed Shadows,” or if its PC port was delayed until later in the year when the excitement for “Shadows” may have subsided.

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2025-01-29 03:04