Why Rise of the Ronin's open world is an underrated gem

GR: "It's been a strong year for open-world games. With the likes of Star Wars Outlaws, The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, and Dragon's Dogma 2, it's understandable if some big hits passed you by. In fact, I dare say plenty have been forgotten already, such is the overflowing state of AAA releases. Yet, there's one 2024 title I'm humbly requesting you don't miss out on: Rise of the Ronin. Developed by Team Ninja – the visionary studio responsible for Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty, the Nioh games, Ninja Gaiden and the Dead or Alive series – this PS5 exclusive has players take on the role of a warrior on a quest to avenge their fallen village and comrades while getting caught up in the tense political struggles of mid-19th century Japan."

[TheColbertinator]

Played a bit of it this year and I thought it was awesome. One of the few games I would get a Playstation for.

[SPEAKxTHExTRUTH]

Excellent gameplay, terrible graphics and typical storyline but still it’s a fun game.

[Zeke68]

Check it out on a Pro and see if if still got "terrible graphics"? I played it on my OG PS5 before and it was a very special graphic mode they went for, but after a couple of hours I didn't even think about it as the combat gameplay was 11/10. I had so much fun learning new techniques with the weapons. My personal GOTY together with Astro Bot.

[SPEAKxTHExTRUTH]

I played it on Pro and yes the graphics are slightly better but still not even close to next gen looking. The combat is definitely the star of the show with this game.

[Zeke68]

The graphics was never meant to be "next-gen". The studio said in several interviews that they aimed for a "legacy look" inspired of the old fedual Japan. It was meant to be matt and down to earth looking.
Not every game should be glossy and topnotch and I can accept that. Only drawback was the weird antialising they used at release. The Pro cleans that up real good imho.

[Z501]

How is a story with (for example) Matthew Perry "typical"

[SPEAKxTHExTRUTH]

It’s a typical revenge story nothing special.

[Z501]

"a typical revenge story"

Revenge against who? Did you finish the game?

[SPEAKxTHExTRUTH]

I’m about 20 hours into the game and I’m deciding on which side to be on. At this point in the game I’m simply looking for the person who killed my comrade. The story so far is simple nothing special. Don’t try and put me on blast as if I didn’t play the game or don’t have it. It’s a simple revenge plot with some politics thrown in. No I haven’t beat the game and I don’t need to te tell you the story is nothing special. I’m sure there will be back stabbing etc going on. If you played and beat it then please explain how this games story is special and different from any other revenge tale. I’d love to hear it.

Like I said the games strength is its gameplay not the story. The visuals are trash as far as I’m concerned. Ghost of Tsushima has far better visuals without question. And I’m not here to explain story lines to you people, if you want to know the games story go play it or look it up on YouTube. One thing I can tell you for sure that nobody will say the story in this game is something different or exceptional.

[Z501]

"The story so far is simple nothing special"
"I don’t need to te tell you the story is nothing special"
"explain how this games story is special and different from any other revenge tale"

Why do you keep saying "special"??? I NEVER did.
How is SEARCHING for your blade twin a typical revenge story? ("Revenge against who?")

[Gamingsince1981]

"It's been a strong year for open-world games. With the likes of Star Wars Outlaws" a strong year for open world games, yet uses one of the worst open world games as an example ..........