Rise of the Ronin (PC) Review

Rise of the Ronin, the latest creation from Team Ninja, has finally made its way to PC after a period of PS5 exclusivity. This open-world action RPG transports players to Japan's Bakumatsu era, a time of upheaval and confrontation between tradition and modernity. With its focus on dynamic combat, a deep narrative, and an expansive open world, this title promises an engaging experience for fans of samurai and action RPGs. But how does the PC version hold up? In this review, we’ll take an in-depth look at the game’s strengths and weaknesses.

Rise of the Ronin

 Combat Is More Than Just Swinging Swords

The gameplay in Rise of the Ronin is undoubtedly one of its strongest aspects. Team Ninja has once again demonstrated their expertise with a combat system that is fast-paced, strategic, and rewards precise timing. Players can switch between various weapons such as katanas, naginatas, and even firearms, adding versatility to battles. Particularly impressive is the ability to shift combat stances, allowing players to adapt to different opponents seamlessly. The Countersparks mechanic—where a perfectly timed counter not only deflects damage but also reduces an enemy’s stamina—adds an extra layer of excitement to duels.

In addition to open combat, the game includes stealth mechanics, though they are not always perfectly executed. While players can eliminate enemies quietly or sneak through hostile areas undetected, not all assassination moves are lethal—stronger enemies often survive with reduced health. This can slightly detract from the immersion.

The RPG elements are also well-implemented. Players earn experience points, unlock new abilities, and upgrade their equipment. The Vendetta system introduces an intriguing dynamic: if you die before reaching a checkpoint, you must defeat the enemy who killed you to reclaim lost experience points. This mechanic adds tension and encourages players to take calculated risks.

A Visual Journey Through Historical Japan

The world of Rise of the Ronin is a visual masterpiece that brings 19th-century Japan to life with stunning detail. The blend of traditional Japanese architecture and Western influences creates a unique atmosphere. Players can explore cities like Edo (Tokyo), Yokohama, and Kyoto, all crafted with meticulous attention to detail. Historical events such as Commodore Matthew Perry’s arrival are seamlessly woven into the story alongside fictional elements.

The open world offers a variety of activities that keep the gameplay fresh. From battling outlaws and rebuilding destroyed towns to challenges like target shooting or collecting cats, there’s plenty to do. These tasks contribute to immersion without feeling like mere “filler.” Players can traverse the world on foot, horseback, or using a glider. While horseback riding is reliable for long distances, the glider feels somewhat stiff and could benefit from more fluid mechanics. On the other hand, the grappling hook provides exciting opportunities for vertical movement and parkour challenges.

The PC Experience: Highlights and Drawbacks

The PC version of Rise of the Ronin introduces some exclusive features but also struggles with technical issues. With support for resolutions up to 8K, ray tracing, and technologies like NVIDIA DLSS 3 and AMD FSR 3, the game delivers stunning visual effects—at least on high-end PCs. Lighting and textures have been noticeably improved compared to the PS5 version, making the world feel even more vibrant. At least in theory.

Unfortunately, performance issues plague the game: even on high-end hardware like an RTX 4090, many players report sudden frame rate drops and stuttering animations. These problems significantly detract from the overall experience and highlight a need for further optimization. We encountered similar issues on an RTX 4070S setup, which left us disappointed.

Additionally, the user interface isn’t well-optimized for smaller screens, and ultrawide monitors can experience scaling problems. However, controls are precise and responsive—whether using a mouse and keyboard or a controller.

Conclusion: A Great Game Held Back by PC Optimization

While Rise of the Ronin excels in gameplay and storytelling, we recommend exercising caution with its PC version for now. The game’s current state makes performance a hit-or-miss situation unless you have powerful hardware or are willing to wait for patches that address these issues