[Play report]Cross the Bakumatsu open world with just one arm! Enjoy the feeling of being a swordsman in the highly difficult battles of “Rise of the Ronin” with many options.

2024-03-21 11:00:00
“Rise of the Ronin” is an open world action RPG scheduled to be released by Sony Interactive Entertainment on March 22, 2024. This work, presented by SIE and Team NINJA, a development team within Koei Tecmo Games, is a hybrid of a samurai and a ninja.“Hidden sword”Yokohama, Edo, and Kyoto at the end of the Edo period.“Wandering”It’s a game.
My impressions of the first two hours are summarized here (related article), but since SIE provided me with a pre-play code, in this article I will go into more detail about the game’s content and appeal. The article contains text and screenshots that unavoidably contain spoilers, so please be careful if you are interested.Related article

An open world action RPG brought to you by SIE and Team NINJA.「Rise of the Ronin」I experienced it first hand.I felt it had high potential that Bakumatsu fans would enjoy as well.Battle and wandering (exploration)A trial report ofInterview with two key development personnelLet’s deliver it together.

［2024/03/12 07:00］

Also, the version I played was for review purposes, and I chose the top of the three difficulty levels, “Yoiyam”. However, we would like to inform you in advance that the level design and game balance will be adjusted in an update near the release date, so there may be minor differences from the version that users actually play.

As an open world RPG

Crafted without compromise

As I mentioned in the previous article, this work is an extremely orthodox style open-world RPG in which you can freely follow the main missions, side missions, challenge elements, etc. scattered around the map.

There are many opportunities to have conversations with characters during main missions and side missions, and you can choose from a wide variety of lines, and the lines you choose can greatly change what happens next. By the way, the orange lines also serve as options,“persuasion” “coercion”There are also options that only appear if you have mastered the skill.

Also“Self selection”At the same time as being a choice, it also creates the fun of role-playing, where the player can act out the image of the main character that he/she envisions, and as the player makes repeated choices, the image of the main character gradually becomes clearer. .
This mechanism itself is familiar from RPGs produced overseas, but it’s strange because it feels a little different when you experience it with a Japanese worldview and native Japanese text.“Is this slightly stiff line an effect of translation, or is it just a way of saying it that is unique to the world of the work?”Because you don’t have to take a step back and think about things like…, it’s easier to immerse yourself in the world of the work. In this respect, it may be said that the work has a “Japanese spirit and Western talent” charm.

Facilities that serve as a base for your trip“Nagaya”Then, you can always edit the appearance.“Personal taste”,Clothing Edit“Design change”is possible. When editing clothing, you can use all the items you have obtained so far, so you don’t have to worry about things like, “I want to choose this equipment in terms of performance, but it doesn’t look right.” This is also a fun and rewarding point for role-play lovers.

The photo mode is also fully functional.You can also finely adjust the tilt and focus of the camera.

Various filters, photo frames, facial expressions, etc.

Also, to add more information about the main character’s position in the main story, the main character is not a historical figure, but rather an anonymous “swordsman” or “covert person.” Even when it involves major historical events, it is refreshing and has a different flavor from stories that feature Sakamoto Ryoma or Saigo Takamori as the main characters. Although depictions of the political background are kept to a minimum, they often engage in sword-fighting with historical figures to “deepen mutual understanding.” Also, the great swordsmen and martial artists of this era will appear, and of course you will have to fight with them as well.
The main focus is on the experience of wandering around the open world and fighting strong enemies during missions, and the story is probably meant to enliven that experience.french military advisorJules Brunetappears with a bold interpretation.He is also a person who has had a strange fate.
However, the setting is the turbulent end of the Edo period. We are often forced to make irreversible choices, and we make decisions even though we are worried.The weight of witnessing historyI can also feel it. There are various side missions and missions that occur as you deepen your ties with each character, and it’s quite fun to follow them.
In some missions, you can quite freely choose the companions you bring with you. The appeal of this work is that you can encounter situations that are far beyond your imagination, such as taking Ryoma Sakamoto and Admiral Perry to fight against Edo firefighter Tatsugoro Shinmon. The stage of the battle is Sensoji Temple, and this line from Perry!
As expected, Tatsugoro fights while wielding a firefighter’s suit.
Furthermore, many RPG fans would have expectedromance elementThere are plenty of them too.Shows the strength of the connection between the protagonist and the characters“Fate level”apart from“Favorability”There is a parameter, and when it reaches its maximum, a special event occurs.
In order to increase the level of connection and likability, it is necessary to approach the other person by showing understanding through lines during conversation, giving gifts, etc. However, the conditions for the event seem to be related to the progress of the main mission, and the event did not occur for a certain main character even if his favorability reached the maximum. Due to play time constraints, I was not able to test this element much, so please play the game to find out more details.
As you progress through the main mission, the stage of the story changes, and you will not be able to return to the place you were before (several years will pass).However, a certain person leaves“Rukonroku”By using it, you can explore past maps, enjoy side missions, challenge elements, romance, etc.
Furthermore, by redoing a specific mission, you can change your “current” position or affiliation. It seems like you can enjoy most of the storylines in Rukonroku without having to start the game all over again.

Growth factors have a unique mechanism
Become stronger by “wandering”

Next, I will tell you what I learned from playing the game regarding the growth elements of this work.
The growth system of this game is unique, and basic parameters such as maximum physical strength, attack power, and defense power increase as you level up, but other parameters do not.“Ability Skill”Grow by learning or increasing the level of ability skills.
for example“Skill”When you acquire a category ability skill, the attack power of secondary weapons (guns, bows, etc.) and the attack power against the opponent’s energy will increase.“charm”If it is a category, the defense power of energy and the recovery power of energy will increase.
There are many parameters that cannot be improved unless you acquire skills, so the theory is to not specialize too much and learn evenly.item“Four Treasures of the Study”However, you can re-learn (re-sharpen) your skills at the tenement house, so don’t worry too much about what will happen in the future. In fact, if each parameter remains low, you will struggle more than necessary in battle.
Points needed to acquire skills“Ability Points” “Rare Ability Points”2 types. There are also many skills that can only be learned with “rare ability points”.
“Ability Points” can be earned by leveling up through normal experience points, leveling up weapon proficiency, and visiting “shrines” in various locations.On the other hand, “rare ability points”“Bravery” “Skill” “Charm” “Wisdom”They are divided into four categories, and can be earned as rewards for deepening ties with people, rewards for side missions, rewards for various challenge elements, and “rewards for achieving collection elements” in each region. In short, they are harder to obtain than normal ability points, and unless you are aware of them, you will not be able to obtain them.
Also, in this game, when you defeat an enemy, you will receive experience points in addition to the normal experience points.“Industry”You can get that point. Once you have accumulated a certain amount of this, you can earn ability points and rare ability points by touching the “Hidden Sword Banner” (checkpoint and item replenishment point).
Karma is lost when you are defeated by an enemy, but it is possible to regain most of it by taking revenge on the enemy who defeated you, or by performing a “follow-up attack.”
Most of the rare ability points are obtained by earning karma, so it is important not only to acquire skills but also to improve parameters by not losing karma as much as possible. You can check the karma value at the top right of the equipment screen.When the meter is full, go to the flag
I’ve explained a lot about growth factors, but the main points are the following two.

Increase each parameter by acquiring ability skills
There are two types of points needed to acquire skills: rare ability points are earned by earning karma and by detour elements.

You can progress through the game without worrying too much about this on the “twilight” and “twilight” difficulty levels, but if you play on “twilight” difficulty, it may be a little difficult if you don’t have enough understanding.

Of course, by acquiring abilities and skills, the variations in fighting methods will become more diverse. Many of the skills in the “bravery” category make you stronger in frontal battles, making it easier to use “Stone Fire” to deflect enemy attacks, and increasing the damage of melee weapons.

On the other hand, if you improve the “Intelligence” category, you can become stronger in different ways, such as increasing the amount of recovery from medicine, increasing the damage of guns, and increasing the effects of strengthening items such as applying poison to weapons. If you want to enjoy battles that utilize your skills, be sure to understand the growth mechanism. A surprise attack with a poisoned weapon.Cowardly but quite powerful
As mentioned in previous articles, when it comes to battles, the management of the energy gauge and the timing of attacks, attacks (actions that combine parrying and attacking), and evasion are important. I would like to add a few simple tips regarding this.
If you are having trouble defeating the enemy, the quickest way is to simply raise your character’s level. For example, when guarding against an enemy’s continuous attacks, the subsequent development will vary greatly depending on whether your energy completely disappears or if even a small amount remains. It is quite possible that even small improvements can make a difference in victory or defeat.
Recommended levels are shown for each mission, so consult your own skills and work hard to level up and acquire skills.
Also, if you fight with a style that is compatible with your opponent, you can greatly surprise them with your stone fire, and it will be easier to increase your chances of attacking. While there are only a few styles available, it is also a good idea to fight using the styles of your friends.
By the way, in “shinobi” schools such as Hayabusa-ryu, the timing of the ishibi is critical against all kinds of opponents, but if you can nail it, you can create a big advantage. It’s a powerful and fun style once you master it, so give it a try.Hayabusa’s stance is reminiscent of Ryu Hayabusa from the “NINJA GAIDEN” series.
Once you get used to the stone fire, next time“Flash Blade”I would like to incorporate it into battle. This action removes blood from the weapon and restores the energy gauge. By using the Flash Blade to recover your energy between attacks, you can continue attacking for longer or secure the energy to survive counterattacks, expanding your range of actions and making it easier to fight freely and advantageously.
Furthermore, you can switch weapons at the right time during continuous attacks.“Shiden”or switch schools“Rephuu”Actions like this are also useful. However, once you get to this point, your moves will become more appealing and time attack, rather than just for winning. You don’t necessarily have to master it, so if you want to use it, give it a try.

In addition, you can play detour elements such as defeating “rogues” in various places to obtain keys, acquiring equipment from “storehouses”, and receiving weapons as rewards for “gunnery training” and “yabusame”. Preparing your equipment is also essential to increasing your military strength.
If you have a mission that you can’t quite clear, you can try wandering around various places to level up.

Try out various ways of fighting against the villains, such as assaulting them from the sky.
When fighting against a large number of opponents, you can avoid being surrounded by using terrain or stairs.
Gunnery training is not that difficult, but you can obtain powerful weapons.
There are also elements that inherit abilities from weapon to weapon and strengthen them.
As mentioned above, by getting used to the various systems and operations, the feeling of play will change from a “game of death” to a game of death.“Boss battles are a death game”This work changes so much. The game’s gameplay, in which players steadily approach victory by reading the in-game “instruction book” and trying out various weapon types and actions, means that this work is in line with the “NINJA GAIDEN” series and the “Nioh” series. Makes you feel.
In addition, enjoying the side missions and challenge elements also increases your fighting power, and the fun of wandering around the open world relying on a sword is well produced. It’s a carefully and solidly put together work, so it’s a must-have for anyone who is interested in the theme of the end of the Edo period, not just those who like action games.
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