Rise of the Ronin, Team Ninja’s latest game, has been a sleeper hit among the masses. Despite being overshadowed by other high-profile games released around the same time (namely Dragon’s Dogma 2), it’s managed to make a cozy name for itself as an enjoyable action title.
During a recent interview, the producer and director of the game shared some valuable information on the inspiration behind the title, as well as other aspects that are worth a read.
Rise of the Ronin Team Finds Inspiration in Unexpected Places
Capturing the essence of Japanese culture and history in any type of media can be a daunting task. For Team Ninja, the creators behind Rise of the Ronin, inspiration was found in unexpected places.
In a recent interview with Game Informer, producer Yosuke Hayashi and director Fumihiko Yasuda spoke about the influences and themes driving their latest project.
Reflecting on their past struggles with creating action games for both Japanese and Western audiences, Hayashi and Yasuda spoke about how Shogun holds a lot of crossover with their latest game:
It’s really that the show has a lot of visuals that are very Japanese that reflects how a lot of the production involved in it was Japanese.
When asked about recommended viewing for samurai enthusiasts, both Hayashi and Yasuda unanimously pointed to Akira Kurosawa’s classic film, Yojimbo. The film follows the journey of a Rōnin samurai who is being courted by two rival clans, causing a war to break out between them.
The movie apparently serves as a touchstone for Ronin‘s narrative and themes. “Rise of the Ronin is really similar to it, actually,” Yasuda remarks.
How the Game Grounds Itself in 19th Century Japan
Rise of the Ronin immerses players in the historical setting of 19th-century Japan, a deliberate choice by the development team to take advantage of the bond system and the relationships players form with historical figures.
Yasuda talks about this decision, explaining that the absence of supernatural elements allows the game to focus on the dynamic duels between samurai. Players have to assess their opponents’ weapons and combat styles and adjust their strategies accordingly.
The bond system is one of the most important elements of the game, which sees the main character forging connections with real-life historical figures such as Ryoma Sakamoto.
Hayashi emphasizes the thematic significance of the Bakumatsu period, a time of transition and upheaval in Japanese history, as this marked the end of the samurai era and the start of Japan’s modernization.
Because of the game’s focus on forming bonds with characters and making choices, the team felt that the Bakumatsu period was a perfect fit.
Have you played Rise of the Ronin? What are your opinions on the game? Feel free to tell us in the comments below!
