Team Ninja is back. After the somewhat muted success of Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin, the developer that brought you such franchises as Dead or Alive, Nioh, and Ninja Gaiden is once again working on a narratively-driven action title, this time set in 17th-century Japan.
Rise of the Ronin takes place in 1863 near the end of Japan's Edo period. It was a time of upheaval in Japanese society, with increasing trade from foreign powers causing the populace to question the old ways. It also brought new technologies to the island nation, with none having a greater impact than guns.
And it seems like in Rise of the Ronin, our masterless protagonist will make good use of several guns. We see the ronin stab someone with his rifle's bayonet and later on he shoots someone with a revolver. But it seems like ballistic weapons aren't really even necessary as elsewhere see the ronin throw his katana like a spear and follow it up with a flaming slash.
Throw in a cool backpack that turns into a kite, and you've got a very enticing action game.
"In Rise of the Ronin, you will explore an evolving world as you fight to forge a new era for Japan," reads the trailer description. "You are a Ronin, a warrior free from all masters and bonds and as your destiny intertwines with story characters, take part in an immersive combat-focused action experience."
I wouldn't expect to see more of Rise of the Ronin for some time as it's not scheduled to arrive until 2024. It'll be a PS5 exclusive title, but hopefully the latest-gen consoles will have better penetration by then.
Today's State of Play had another title set in feudal Japan. Like A Dragon: Ishin will bring the Yakuza spinoff to North America for the first time in February 2023.