Summary
One thing players may not expect out ofRise of the Roninis how long it is. From the jump, it may seem like a fairly large open-world but they would be surprised by how much further the game goes. It won’t take nearly as long as another huge open-world RPG,Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, but again it is no short adventure.
This goes without saying but in every huge game, players are going to learn from their mistakes. There are a lot of systems and mechanics inRise of the Roninthat may not click until the end. Knowing these things from the beginning could change a lot for newbies and make the game easier, so here are some tips to keep in mind.
8Upgrading Gear Early
Just Follow The Typical Loot Loop
It may not look like it, but this game is a looter RPG that fans of theDiabloseries may enjoy. From normal enemies to bosses, gear will be dropped all the time. It’s a waste of money to buy equipment at shops so players should just go with the flow.
More importantly,upgrading gear inRise of the Roninshould be saved until near the end of the game. Saving materials for this endpoint will guarantee players can go into the final slew of missions with a decent set of gear.
7Killing Gonzo
You’ll Miss Out On An Ally
One of the first big missions players will go into, for the story, is called “Curtain Falls, Curtain Rises.” That’s where they will get their firstally inRise of the Ronin, Ryoma, who is both good at swords and pistols. In the end, players can kill the boss, Gonzo, or spare him to live another day.
If spared, Gonzo will run off but he will return in a side mission called “The Bad Bunch.” Players can once again decide to spare or kill him and if spared this time, he will join. Don’t make the grave mistake of killing him either time.
6Thinking Those Ships Are Just Background Decorations
There Be Treasure Out There!
It’s hard to tell what can and can’t be explored in an open-world game. While huge, there are some barriers inRise of the Roninpreventing players from fully investigating Japan. One example is the ships players can see from Yokohama’s harbor.
While many of them are just window dressings, others can be explored. A lot of them have rare treasures too like Foreign Books, an item another one the player’s allies collects, Igashichi Iizuka.
5Thinking That Skill Books Are Automatic
Get To Reading
Besides Foreign Books, players can find books beneficial to their character’s progression as well. There are skill books that will grant players one of the four rareskill markers inRise of the Ronin: Strength, Charisma, Intelligence, and Dexterity.
These skill points are needed to unlock some of the better skills in the game’s four skill trees and they can be found in bracket market deals or through side quests. What players may not know is that buying or finding them is not the end of the story. Players have to go into the main menu’s inventory to use them and it’s kind of hidden away.
4Not Exploring Past The Region On Yokohama
Edo Is Calling
One of the best things about this game is the freedom. Except for the gate to Yokohama, the rest of the world before and after that is completely open. Players can go to the city of Yokohama and then decide to explore the map as close to 100% as possiblefor Trophy acquisitionor whatever.
It’s a big world but the region of Yokohama is not the only area in the game. About halfway through players will travel to Edo and that map is equally big. It’s good to know this going intoRise of the Roninbecause it will help players prepare for future events and item management like not worrying about upgrading gear until at least Edo.
3Not Realizing The Cats Are Useful
And Your Little Dog Too
One of the collectibles in the game is cats that ran away and a geisha, Usugumo Dayu, is collecting them. Players can unlock items in her shop the more they find but cats offers more than that. Back at the Longhouse, which is the home base, players can send cats out on gathering missions similar to the assassins inAssassin’s Creed: Brotherhood.
Also at the Longhouse, players may not initially see a dog outside which will randomly appear. This is a Pilgrim Dog and it too can gather materials on time-based missions.
2Not Taking Full Advantage Of The Game’s Movement Mechanics
Call Your Horse
There are a lot of elements in this game that feel inspired byThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. For example, players can get aglider inRise of the Roninafter the aforementioned mission “Curtain Falls, Curtain Rises.” It’s fun to grapple around the world and then go into the air using this glider.
What players may not know is that they can transition from gliding to their horse without a delay. All they have to do is get close to the ground, use the horse whistle, and that is that. It’s fun to watch this transition using the photo mode’s frame-by-frame feature.
1Only Playing Missions In Multiplayer Or With AI
Look For Gear Bonuses
There is aco-op feature inRise of the Roninthat players can initiate at the aforementioned Longhouse. Players can choose a mission and then launch it by setting up a match themselves or joining someone else’s session. Players can also replay missions without multiplayer and use party members controlled by AI.
Players may not know a third option is available as they can go into a mission solo which has benefits. There are pieces of gear that improve solo attempts at missions like the Special Effect, Solo Attempt Attack Up, which can be attached to weapons and improve attack power by varying percentages.
