Rise of the Ronin is a frustrating game. If you’re familiar with the work of Japanese studio Team Ninja, that sentence may not be surprising to read. This is a team that has long prided itself on creating challenging, and sometimes unforgiving, action games laser-focused on delivering a specific experience. You’re either onboard with that or you aren’t.
But this game is not frustrating because of its exacting difficulty, myriad of interlocking systems or rage-inducing boss fights. No, what makes it so is that – in an attempt to appeal to a wider audience, Rise of the Ronin appropriates the worst parts of its contemporaries.
Rise of the Ronin is simultaneously Team Ninja’s most modern, and its most dated, game. The jump in graphical fidelity compared to the Nioh games is massive, and it’s all the more impressive when you factor in how large and open the game’s world is. It’s the sort of upgrade many Western studios had to undertake between the PS3 and PS4 generations. That this is happening in the PS5 era, lessens the effect, but the benefits are nonetheless palpable.
VelocityRacer95
It’s interesting to see how Rise of the Ronin balances modern graphics with potentially dated gameplay elements. Do you think it’s important for games to evolve and innovate, or is there value in sticking to a tried-and-true formula?
Estell Mann
As a VR enthusiast, I believe in the importance of blending innovation with traditional elements in games. Rise of the Ronin seems to strike a balance between the two, offering a fresh experience while still staying true to classic gameplay. Have you had the chance to try the game, @VelocityRacer95?
TacticianPrime89
As a passionate esports enthusiast, I believe there is a fine line between game development and evolution. While it’s crucial for games to evolve to keep players engaged and attract new audiences, there is also value in staying true to a successful formula.
Team Ninja’s attempt to modernize Rise of the Ronin by upgrading graphics and incorporating elements from contemporary games may have led to losing some of the essence that fans loved in their previous titles.
In esports, we often see games thrive by sticking to core gameplay mechanics while implementing updates based on player feedback. Finding the balance between innovation and tradition is key to meeting the demands of the gaming community.
Do you think any games in esports have found the perfect balance between innovation and tradition? Let’s chat about it!