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If you’re familiar with Team Ninja’s past releases, then you might be wondering if Rise of the Ronin will be yet another Soulslike game. We have the answer to this burning question. Stick around for details about the game’s genre.
Rise of the Ronin is set to launch later this month on March 22, taking players to the harsh world of 1863 Japan. Team Ninja, the studio that brought us Soulslike projects like Nioh and Ninja Gaiden, continues to offer many of the same world-building aspects and intense combat in the upcoming release. However, fans of the publisher’s past work can also expect to see some changes when it comes to in-game challenges. This begs the question: Is Rise of the Ronin a true Soulslike game? Let’s dive into the details to answer the question at hand and prepare to enter battle this month.
- 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 Soulslike Game?
Without mincing words, Rise of the Ronin is not considered a Soulslike game. The budding subgenre is defined by intricate world-building, themes of darkness, and extreme difficulty — all of which you can easily attribute to Rise of the Ronin. However, the upcoming title is described by developers as a “combat-focused open-world action RPG.”
Moreover, it will also feature several difficulty settings to lessen the burden of the game’s challenges. There’s some debate as to whether this feature goes against the requirements of true Soulslikes, though it’s generally agreed upon that Rise of the Ronin doesn’t quite fit the bill.
Is Rise of the Ronin a Difficult Game?
Rise of the Ronin will feature a slew of extreme challenges that are often associated with Soulslike titles. However, you can also alter your gameplay experience with three difficulty settings: Dawn, Dusk, and Twilight. Those who are new to the genre or are looking for a more casual gameplay experience should opt for Dawn, the easiest of the three settings. Dusk will offer average challenges, while Twilight boasts an added layer of difficulty.
This is a notable change in direction for Team Ninja, which hasn’t offered similar settings in their past releases. All things considered, this does help to lessen the game’s intimidation factor. In turn, this may help to draw in a larger and more diverse player base.
That’s all you need to know before entering the war-torn world of Rise of the Ronin this March. For more on the upcoming release and other titles, check out these guides from our team: