Team Ninja is on a roll with Rise of the Ronin

Another action RPG (like that’s a bad thing)

Depending on how you slice it, the highlight of today’s State of Play was either Like a Dragon: Ishin from Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio or Rise of the Ronin from Team Ninja. (Why not both?) The developer shared its first look at this PS5 open-world action RPG, which is seven years in the making. It’s another historical-inspired tale with over-the-top flair, as you’ll quickly see in the trailer — a mix of “gameplay and in-game cinematics.”

“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,” noted director Fumihiko Yasuda. “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.”

Going a step further, Yasuda calls Rise of the Ronin the “most ambitious and challenging project for Team Ninja Studio to date,” promising a “multilayered story” and “unrestricted open gameplay.” The action-game fundamentals can always get this team’s foot in the door for me — so while I’m already “in,” so to speak, I am curious to hear concrete info.

For now, there’s that cool glider and rifle-stabbing animation. I love a good finisher. From everything we can glean, this looks like another skillful action romp. Keep ’em coming.

Rise of the Ronin will launch in 2024 and it’s said to be a “PlayStation 5 console exclusive,” which opens the door for a (well-advised) PC version.

Considering Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty (the Three Kingdoms-inspired Nioh successor) is coming up first in 2023, that far-off timing makes sense. We’re feasting as action fiends.