Summary
The upcoming PlayStation 5-exclusive samurai gameRise of the Roninrecently showed off some of its open world traversal and combat gameplay in a new trailer. Team Ninja announcedRise of the Roninduring a State of Play in September 2022, with its July 08, 2025 release date being revealed at The Game Awards 2023 nearly a year later.Rise of the Roninis set in the sunset years of Japan’s feudal Edo period, where players can create their own custom samurai warrior and explore real-life locations like Yokohama, Kyoto, and Edo.
Many Team Ninja fans have comparedRise of the Roninto the studio’sNiohseries, and its Japanese setting and samurai sword combat have brought to mindother hit titles likeGhost of TsushimaandSekiro: Shadows Die Twice. Previous trailers have highlightedRise of the Ronin’s impressive PS5 visuals and history-inspired plot, which the player can shape through narrative choices that will see them build bonds with other characters and define who they are as a lone samurai warrior.Rise of the Ronin’s later setting also allows the use of firearms in combat, something that many believe could help the game stand out from past samurai titles.
More ofRise of the Ronin’s gameplay was revealed during this week’s PlayStation State of Play livestream, giving eager gamers a look at how they will be able toexploreRise of the Ronin’s 19th-century Japanese setting. As shown at the start of this trailer, the custom player character can climb rooftops using a grappling hook-like rope, as well as glide through the air using a retractable device called the “Avicula.”
Rise of the Ronin Gameplay Trailer
TheRise of the Ronintrailer then shifts its focus toward the game’s combat, which utilizes attacks and guards during duels with sword-wielding opponents. Players can use parries to break an enemy’s stance, and switch betweendifferent combat styles like inGhost of Tsushimato better adapt to a given situation. Stealth also plays a role inRise of the Ronin, as the player can sneak past unsuspecting foes and use their grappling rope to drag an enemy in for a quick kill. Players can also switch between different weapons of the Edo era, such as long spears and firearms.
DuringRise of the Ronin’s story, players will join forces with an inventor named Igashichi, who will supply them withnew gadgets and weaponsto help on their journey. This includes the Fire Pipe, a flamethrower-like weapon that can be used to ignite explosive barrels and set enemies ablaze. Some weapons combine traditional Japanese combat with Western-developed technology to help the player get an edge on tougher opponents and deliver special finishing attacks.
So far,Rise of the Ronin’s gameplay looks quite promising, with sword combat that seemingly channelsGhost of Tsushimaand open-world traversal that brings to mind theBatman: Arkhamseries with its use of grappling hooks and gliders to navigate narrow rooftops. Samurai fans will get to dive into this gameplay for themselves whenRise of the Roninlaunches on the PlayStation 5 on March 22.
Rise of the Ronin
WHERE TO PLAY
FORGE YOUR FATE IN THIS EPIC NEW SAMURAI ACTION ADVENTURE Embark on an epic journey across war-torn 19th-century Japan in this combat-focused open-world action RPG from Team NINJA, the veteran studio behind Nioh and NINJA GAIDEN.Japan, 1863. After three centuries of the Tokugawa Shogunate’s reign, the Black Ships of the West descend upon the nation’s borders and the country falls into a state of turmoil. Amidst the chaos of war, disease, and political unrest, a nameless warrior forges their own path, holding the very fate of Japan in their hands
