As a longtime fan of action RPGs, from Ghost of Tsushima to Nioh, I approached Rise of the Ronin with optimism.
Team Ninja’s track record was excellent, and sure enough, the game has garnered a lot of positive reviews, as I found out on Reddit.
Here are some of the popular answers and comments that stuck with me:
I had a blast playing the game. Reviewed it for digitec.ch and spent 50+ hours with it. – u/u/domidomek
I am leaning towards 8.5/10 overall. Most of the characters and events are all based on real history – u/Elden-Cringe
I think it is the best Team Ninja story so far. But I think they did well with characterization. – u/UrimTheWyrm
Biggest takeaway from Ronin, because it does use a familiar open world formula, is the quality of life mechanics built in from the start – u/Munkifists
As I read through Reddit reviews and player discussions, I found they gave voice to many of my own thoughts about the game.
So, I’ve put this post together to capture the seven things that Reddit players, in particular, have loved about the experience. Buy Rise of Ronin on PlayStation 5 for the cheapest prices
1. Combat is Stunning, and Fair
The combat here is no joke—but it’s fair. You can’t just mash buttons. You have to learn timing, stamina, stances, and counters.
One of the first mechanics I fell in love with is the Deflect system. You tap guard just before a hit lands, and you’ll stagger the enemy.
Nail the timing, and you can follow up with a brutal counter. Get it wrong, and you’ll suffer damage.
Every fight feels like a chess match.
In fact, most reviewers on Reddit felt the combat was top of the line.
You’ve also got a killer mix of weapons – katanas, odachi, spears, rifles, pistols – which you can swap mid-combo for a flash attack.
If you’re just starting, the basic combos let you hold your own. But if you push into advanced counters, it rewards you with raw satisfaction.
2. A Living, Breathing Bakumatsu Japan
If you enjoy historical settings, you’ll find the world and characters in ‘Rise of the Ronin’ very interesting. Set during Japan’s Bakumatsu period, the game drops you into a nation in turmoil as allegiances shift.
Real historical events—like Commodore Perry’s “Black Ships” forcing Japan’s opening to the West—serve as your backdrop.
Exploring this world never felt repetitive or dull. Each village, shrine, and roadside duel had its own character and energy. The ability to grapple onto rooftops adds vertical excitement, while fast horseback travel makes crossing the varied landscapes effortless.
3. Smooth Performance, Super Fast Loads
Team Ninja’s game developers have leveraged hardware brilliantly.
On PS5, the game pretty much hits 60 FPS all the time. Even in big scenes, there are only tiny dips, but never during boss fights.
Load times are impressively short, almost disappearing entirely. If you fall in a duel, you’re back in the fight within seconds, which keeps the game’s momentum flowing.
The PS5 version offers both performance and resolution modes. Performance mode targets a steady 60 FPS, often with ray tracing enabled, while Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) helps maintain smooth frame pacing even during intense battles.
4. A Gorgeous, Painterly World
This game doesn’t go for hyper-realism. Instead, it paints Japan in soft pastels, warm lighting, and splendid detail.
Walking over a cherry-blossom bridge at dusk, or across rain-slick streets lit by lanterns, is stunning.
Textures hold up, firelight flickers against armor, and fields of grass sway with high fidelity.
On the whole, the art direction is perfect and curated, and brings scenes to life in a way that makes them feel meaningful.
5. DualSense Adds to the Experience
This game uses haptics and adaptive triggers in ways that actually matter.
The DualSense controller’s haptic feedback adds a subtle but meaningful layer to immersion. You can feel raindrops tapping gently, the rhythmic thud of horse hooves, and the tension in bowstrings through the adaptive triggers.
Many Reddit players have also praised how well the game integrates DualSense features, making the experience more engaging.
6. Choices That Matter
Your choices in Rise of the Ronin have real consequences.
Will you assassinate a reformer or protect them?
Side with the shogunate loyalists or the revolutionaries?
These decisions influence the fate of characters, who may live, die, or switch allegiances depending on your actions.
By the game’s end, your story branches into different endings that feel meaningful and earned.
Plus, New Game Plus lets you revisit the story to explore alternate paths without repeating all the early-game tutorials
7. Surprising Emotional Layers
Team Ninja offers surprising story depth. Unexpectedly, the game has 13 romance options—dubbed Veiled Vows.
Among the 13 romance options, Princess Atsuk stands out. As the heir to the powerful Satsuma clan, pursuing a relationship with her is not only emotionally charged but also carries high political risk.
This adds depth and intrigue, giving players more personal stakes in the turbulent world around them.
Should You Try It?
As my time with Rise of the Ronin grew, it became clear that Reddit’s ongoing conversations reflect a genuine appreciation for what the game offers.
If you’re on PS5 and curious about a samurai game that respects your time and challenges your reflexes, Rise of the Ronin deserves a place on your shelf.
To sum up what Reddit players and I keep coming back to:
- Combat that rewards skill and growth.
- An open world that feels alive and inviting.
- A story rooted in real history but accessible to newcomers.
- Controller feedback that deepens connection to the action.
- Meaningful choices that shape your journey and endings.
Even a year after launch, the game continues to reveal new layers, whether you’re perfecting your deflects, uncovering hidden quests, or replaying for a different outcome.
So, pick up your katana, step into your ronin’s shoes, and let the adventure unfold—Reddit’s verdict might just be your own.
