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If you’ve been following along with the development process for Rise of the Ronin, then you might be wondering if it’s a sequel to Ghost of Tsushima. We have the answer to this burning question. Stick around for all the details, including Team Ninja’s take on perceived connections.
Set to launch later this month, Rise of the Ronin is Team Ninja’s latest project, resembling previous works like Nioh and Ninja Gaiden. While the studio’s part releases were true Soulslikes, Ronin sets itself apart with the addition of uncharacteristic features, such as several difficulty settings to explore on your playthrough. Despite its direction away from the subgenre, it’s earned comparisons to similar games, like Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. However, familiar players are asking: Is Rise of the Ronin actually a sequel to Ghost of Tsushima? Let’s unpack Team Ninja’s take on the matter to answer the question at hand.
- Haptic feedback: Feel the impact of combat as you clash blades and trade blows with haptic feedback through the DualSense wireless controller.
- Adaptive triggers: Experience the tension of your bow string and the click of your matchlock rifle’s trigger through the DualSense wireless controller’s adaptive triggers.
- Tempest 3D AudioTech: Become immersed in the sounds of Bakumatsu-era Japan – from the hustle and bustle of the capital’s streets to the tranquil sounds of nature as you traverse the landscape with 3D spatial audio.*
- Ultra high-speed SSD: Get straight to the heart of the action with the PlayStation5 console’s lightning-fast load times.
Is Rise of the Ronin a Sequel to Ghost of Tsushima?
Rise of the Ronin is a standalone title from Team Ninja. It bears some resemblance to the studio’s past Soulslike projects, Nioh and Ninja Gaiden, though it doesn’t quite fit within the gritty subgenre of either title.
In the same vein, the game is not a sequel to Ghost of Tsushima, a similar action-adventure RPG from Sucker Punch Productions. Despite visual parallels and similarities in setting, Rise of the Ronin and Tsushima don’t share a storyline. Perhaps Team Ninja will elect to extend the upcoming game’s plot down the line. Without confirmation yet, however, it’s still too early to tell.
Is Rise of the Ronin Connected to Ghost of Tsushima?
While Team Ninja’s Rise of the Ronin and Sucker Punch Productions’ Ghost of Tsushima have been compared in much the same way as Ronin and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, it bears repeating that Ronin is a standalone story. However, Team Ninja has cited Sucker Punch’s wildly successful 2020 title as a reference for Rise of the Ronin, despite having no connection.
In an interview with Automaton, Team Ninja director Fumihiko Yasuda went on to say that the success of Ghost of Tsushima inspired the studio thanks to its authentic representation of its Japanese setting.
“Rise of the Ronin is our first open world game, and Ghost of Tsushima was one of the games we used as reference, and I personally enjoyed it. I felt inspired by the fact that a game set in Japan had been researched to such an extent by the developers, and had also received high praise for aspects such as its combat system. At the same time, I wondered why we couldn’t release a game like Ghost of Tsushima back then. Ghost of Tsushima served as good encouragement for creating Rise of the Ronin.”
Fumihiko Yasuda, Development Producer and Director of Team Ninja for Automaton
That being said, fans of the two titles have spotted a long list of similarities in the plot and overall look of each. This is due in large part to Ronin’s setting in 1863 Japan, which reflects the historic take on the nation in Tsushima. The dark and gritty Soulslike elements present in each game also contribute to the comparisons, which are notably fair, though neither technically falls under the subgenre.
In any case, Rise of the Ronin is set to offer an all-new journey through Japan’s Bakumatsu period, in which you’ll work as a nameless samurai with the weight of the nation in his hands. As we await the release of Rise of the Ronin this month, check out these guides from our team: