Info about Rise of the Ronin:

Official game description:
Game Contents
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An open-world RPG set in the Bakumatsu period, where players take on the role of a ronin forging their own destiny. The game features multiple possible endings, allowing players to choose which faction to support—such as the anti-shogunate faction, pro-shogunate faction, or Western forces—which significantly alters the story's outcome.  
The game will support various PC features, including ultra-wide monitor compatibility, and include enhancements such as 8K resolution, 120fps, 3D audio, and customizable keyboard and mouse settings, enriching the gaming experience.  
Story
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Japan, 1863. After three centuries of the Tokugawa Shogunate’s reign, the Black Ships of the West descend upon the nation's borders and the country falls into a state of turmoil. Amidst the chaos of war, disease, and political unrest, a nameless warrior forges their own path, holding the very fate of Japan in their hands.
New Features Exclusive to the Steam® Version:
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\- 8K resolution support  
\- DirectX 12 Ultimate support  
\- Ultra-wide and super ultra-wide monitor compatibility  
\- 120FPS support  
\- Ray tracing support  
\- 3D audio support  
\- Customizable keyboard and mouse controls  
\- AMD Fidelity FX Super Resolution support  
\- NVIDIA DLSS and Reflex support  
\- UI menu with mouse clickability  
\- Intel XeSS graphics technology support
Shape your own story.
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As a nameless warrior—a ronin—your destiny evolves based on the choices you make. You will encounter historical figures and factions with various ideologies, such as the anti-shogunate faction leader Ryoma Sakamoto and the shogunate-affiliated organization Shinsengumi led by Isami Kondo, allowing you to experience the tumultuous Bakumatsu period. You will face significant decisions, such as whether to assassinate or protect key figures like Naosuke Ii, and craft your own history through a multi-ending system.  
Customize your weapons and combat styles.
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You can choose from various melee weapons like katana, spear, and odachi, each with multiple combat styles. By freely combining these based on enemies' weapons and your own combat style, you can enjoy a wide range of tactics. There are also ranged weapons like guns and bows, which you must use strategically according to the situation.  
Explore beautiful cities in an open world.
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In the mixed cultural landscape of Edo, Yokohama, and Kyoto during the Bakumatsu period, you can explore stunning scenery with seasonal changes like cherry blossoms and autumn leaves. You can use a grappling rope to climb onto rooftops and the glider Avicula to glide through the air. Additionally, you can capture your favorite views using Photo Mode.  
Customize your character.
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From their facial features, hair, and makeup to their body shape and voice, the protagonist—your Veiled Edge—is yours to create. As you progress through the story, you’ll acquire new clothing and gear to customize their appearance further.

Release date: Mar 10, 2025

Categories: Open-World Exploration, Character Customization, Action RPG, Historical Setting, Multiple Endings, Weapon Customization, Third-Person Action, Parkour Gameplay

Feature scans:
- MTX: score 10; verdict: Fair; summary: The analysis of user reviews indicates that the game is generally praised for not having microtransactions or season passes, which is a positive aspect of its monetization. Some reviews mention the base price and technical issues, but these are not directly related to predatory monetization practices. Overall, the game appears to be fair in its monetization approach.
- Wiki: score 50; verdict: Needs Improvement; summary: The analysis of user feedback reveals several critical issues impacting the user experience. The most prominent concerns include the lack of clear explanations for complex game mechanics, the necessity to rely on external guides for understanding combos and techniques, and significant performance issues such as frame rate drops. These issues collectively detract from the overall enjoyment and accessibility of the game.
- Proton/Linux: score 55; verdict: Tinkering Required; summary: The game exhibits significant performance issues on Linux, with notable drops in FPS and occasional crashes. While some users report that tweaking settings can improve performance, others experience stability issues and crashes. High-end hardware seems to mitigate some of these problems, but the overall experience on Linux and Steam Deck is mixed. The game requires additional optimization for a smoother experience on Linux systems.
- Steam Deck: score 75; verdict: Tinkering Required; summary: The Steam Deck experience for this game is marred by significant performance issues, including frequent crashes, poor optimization, and graphical problems. Users report severe frame drops, stuttering, and compatibility issues with upscaling technologies like FSR and DLSS. Additionally, the game's high storage requirements and subpar graphical quality are notable concerns. Stability issues, such as sudden crashes and hardware strain, further detract from the experience. While some users find the controls fluid, others report responsiveness issues, particularly in combat scenarios.

- Hardware Profile:
  - Summary: Performance issues and instability are commonly reported across all hardware cohorts, with higher VRAM configurations also experiencing significant problems. Even powerful systems struggle with optimization and crashes.
  - Sample size: 92 (2% coverage)
  - Audience skew: Review sample is heavily weighted toward Windows PCs with 10GB+ VRAM.
  - Windows 12-15GB VRAM (negative, 31 reports): Users report poor performance, crashes, and instability despite high VRAM, with many noting significant issues even after updates.
  - Windows 8-11GB VRAM (negative, 23 reports): Frequent complaints about crashes, poor optimization, and high CPU usage, making the game difficult to play smoothly.
  - Windows <8GB VRAM (negative, 21 reports): Struggles with stability and performance, with many users experiencing crashes and unplayable frame rates even on lower settings.
  - Windows 16GB+ VRAM (negative, 16 reports): Even with high VRAM, users face performance issues, crashes, and poor optimization, indicating widespread problems.
  - Caveats: 92 of 4568 reviews expose hardware metadata.; Review sample is heavily weighted toward Windows PCs with 10GB+ VRAM.
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $15.00 - $25.00
  - Reasoning: The evidence consistently mentions that the game is not worth its full price and that potential buyers should wait for significant discounts. Many reviews suggest that even at a discounted price, the game may not meet expectations, indicating a lower perceived value. The general sentiment is that the game should be purchased only during deep discounts, implying a fair price range significantly lower than the current base price.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 67.0h
  - Story completion: N/A
  - Session length: N/A
  - Endgame: 160.0h
  - Reasoning: The evidence provides specific playtime metrics from different players. The first quote indicates a total playtime of 67 hours to complete the main story and most side content, suggesting a comprehensive playthrough. The second quote mentions 160 hours to complete all challenges, including the highest difficulty mission, indicating extensive endgame content. The third quote states 63 hours for 100% completion, reinforcing the idea of a lengthy playtime for full completion. The fourth quote mentions 90 hours to finish the main story, which aligns with the other evidence of extensive playtime.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: The game starts fun but becomes repetitive after about 10 hours. The fun increases as players progress and overcome the initial learning curve.
  - Stance: Fun then drops
  - Anchor: Progressing through the initial learning curve
  - Time to anchor: 10h 0m
  - Friction: Repetitive tasks; Steep learning curve
  - Unlock drivers: Progressing through the game; Mastering combat mechanics
  - Conditions: Engaging with the story; Exploring the open world
- Player Archetypes:
  - History Buff (sale)
    - Motivation: Historical context and narrative
    - Playstyle: Explores the story and historical setting, uses the encyclopedia for understanding events.
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: history buff; story-driven player
    - Reference games: Nioh 2; Wo Long
  - Setting Enthusiast (buy)
    - Motivation: Unique setting and non-combat activities
    - Playstyle: Engages in non-combat activities, enjoys the realism and RPG mechanics.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: setting enthusiast; non-combat player
    - Reference games: AC Shadows; Ghost of Tsushima; Way of the Samurai
  - Performance Critic (no buy)
    - Motivation: Technical performance and optimization
    - Playstyle: Focuses on the technical aspects of the game, tests performance and optimization.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: no buy
    - Labels: performance critic; tech-savvy player
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Combat Evaluator (sale)
    - Motivation: Combat mechanics and gameplay experience
    - Playstyle: Evaluates combat mechanics and overall gameplay, compares to similar titles.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: combat evaluator; gameplay critic
    - Reference games: Nioh; Wo Long; Ghost of Tsushima; Elden Ring; Assassins Creed


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Fun and satisfying combat (weight 0.59): The combat system is widely praised for being enjoyable, accessible, and rewarding. Players find it fun, challenging, and satisfying with a variety of techniques and actions.
- Enjoyable gameplay experience (weight 0.23): Players report an enjoyable and engaging gameplay experience with high replayability. The gameplay is described as rewarding, addictive, and generally highly rated.
- Immersive open world (weight 0.18): The game includes a well-crafted open world with a variety of activities and exploration opportunities. The open world is described as enjoyable, immersive, and alive.
- Deep character customization (weight 0.16): The game features a robust and in-depth character customization system, allowing for extensive customization of character appearance and weapons. This includes a detailed character creation system and various build combinations.
- Well-developed characters (weight 0.06): The game has well-developed characters with good character development. Players find the characters interesting and engaging.

Common complaints:
- Combat system flaws (weight 0.4): The combat system is widely criticized for being clunky, frustrating, and poorly designed. Players find it overly complex, unfair, and lacking depth, leading to a mediocre and tiring experience.
- Optimization and performance issues (weight 0.29): The game suffers from significant optimization problems, leading to performance issues such as stuttering, frame drops, and long loading times. These issues are particularly noticeable in cities and on PC.
- Outdated and poor graphics (weight 0.28): The game's graphics are frequently described as outdated, subpar, and not up to modern standards. Many players feel the graphics look like they belong to a mid-2010s game, with poor textures and lighting.
- Weak and confusing storyline (weight 0.21): The storyline is criticized for being simplistic, repetitive, and poorly written. Many players find the story confusing and not immersive, lacking groundbreaking elements.
- Difficult and unfair boss battles (weight 0.21): Boss fights are often described as difficult, unfair, and unbalanced. Players find these battles frustrating and overly challenging, detracting from the enjoyment of the game.
- Frequent crashes and technical issues (weight 0.16): Players report frequent game crashes, freezes, and stuttering, making the game sometimes unplayable. These technical issues significantly impact the overall gaming experience.
- Stamina management issues (weight 0.06): The stamina system is criticized for being restrictive and insufficient. Players find the short stamina bar and management mechanics frustrating and limiting.
- Ineffective stealth system (weight 0.06): The stealth system is criticized for having quality issues and detection problems. Players find the stealth mechanics ineffective and poorly implemented.
- Historical inaccuracies and inconsistencies (weight 0.05): The game contains historical inaccuracies and story inconsistencies. Players find these flaws and design errors confusing and immersion-breaking.

Gameplay feedback:
- Detailed combat mechanics (weight 0.39): The combat system is detailed and includes mechanics such as parrying, stamina management, blocking, and special moves. It features a variety of weapons and combat styles, with enemies having different combat mechanics than the player.
- Open-world exploration and activities (weight 0.26): The game features an extensive open-world design with various activities, exploration mechanics, and a semi-open world structure. Players can engage in horse riding, grappling hooks, gliding, and random encounters, with a map that gradually unlocks points of interest.
- Variety of weapons and combat styles (weight 0.24): Players have access to a wide variety of weapons and combat styles, allowing for different fighting stances and strategies. This variety enhances the combat experience and provides multiple ways to approach encounters.
- Unique historical setting (weight 0.2): The game is set in 1800s Japan during the Bakumatsu period, featuring a historical context with prominent figures and events from the late Tokugawa shogunate. The story involves historical factions and characters, providing a rich historical backdrop.
- Comparison to other games (weight 0.14): The combat and gameplay mechanics are often compared to other games like Nioh, Sekiro, Dark Souls, Ghost of Tsushima, and Assassin's Creed. The game features a combat system similar to these titles but with its own unique elements.
- Difficulty settings (weight 0.07): The game includes multiple difficulty modes, such as Nightmare difficulty, which can be adjusted to affect enemy behavior. This allows players to tailor the game's challenge to their preference.
- Role-playing and additional mechanics (weight 0.06): The game includes role-playing elements, a photo-taking mechanic, and a farming mechanic. These additional features add depth and variety to the gameplay experience.
- Side quests and activities (weight 0.05): The game features a variety of side quests and activities that are well-integrated with the main story. These side quests provide additional content and enhance the overall gameplay experience.
- Boss battles (weight 0.05): The game includes multiple boss battles, some of which may be repetitive. These battles are a significant part of the gameplay and provide challenging encounters for players.
- Character interactions and relationships (weight 0.05): The game features character interactions, dialogue, and relationships that are historically accurate. These interactions add depth to the story and enhance the overall narrative experience.

Performance notes:
- Poor optimization and performance (weight 0.27): The game suffers from significant optimization issues leading to various performance problems. Players report poor PC port performance, long loading times, and graphical glitches.
- Graphical issues and downgrades (weight 0.14): Players note graphical glitches, downgrades, and overall poor graphical quality. Some areas suffer from severe graphical issues affecting the visual experience.
- Frame rate and stuttering problems (weight 0.13): The game has issues with frame rate fluctuations, stuttering, and occasional frame drops. Some players experience slow-motion bugs and FPS drops in certain areas.
- High system resource usage (weight 0.1): The game has high GPU and VRAM usage, with some players reporting CPU usage spikes. This can lead to performance issues, especially in densely populated areas.
- Specific settings improve performance (weight 0.09): Adjusting specific settings can improve performance, with some players achieving stable 60 FPS with certain configurations.
- Slow motion and frame generation issues (weight 0.08): Some players experience slow-motion phenomena and issues with frame generation, which can lead to crashes and disrupted gameplay.
- Large game size (weight 0.03): The game is criticized for its large download size and high storage requirements, which can be a drawback for some players.

Recommendations:
- Recommended for Soulslike and Action Fans (weight 0.11): This game is highly recommended for fans of Elden Ring, Sekiro, Nioh series, and other realistic soulslike games. It is also suggested for those who enjoy Samurai/Ninja action games and open-world exploration.
- Buy During Sales (weight 0.1): Many reviewers suggest purchasing the game during sales to get the best value. It is often mentioned as a good buy when discounted.
- Historical and Cultural Appeal (weight 0.09): The game is recommended for those interested in Japanese history, the Bakumatsu period, and samurai culture.
- Mixed Recommendations Based on Fan Status (weight 0.07): The game is highly recommended for hardcore fans and those who enjoy Team Ninja's mechanics, but it may not be suitable for everyone.
- Potential for Future Improvements (weight 0.05): Reviewers express hope for improvements in future games and potential sequels or DLCs.
- Wait for Updates or Fixes (weight 0.05): Some reviewers recommend waiting for future updates or fixes before buying the game due to current performance issues.
- Story and Lower Difficulty (weight 0.03): The game is recommended for those who want to enjoy a nice story. Some suggest playing on the lowest difficulty to fully appreciate the narrative.
- Consider Other Games (weight 0.03): Some reviewers suggest considering other games like Assassin's Creed Shadows for better graphics and immersion.

Other player notes:
- Mixed personal experiences (weight 0.05): Users have mixed feelings about the game, with some enjoying it despite its flaws and others comparing it to their experiences with other games like SEKIRO, Elden Ring, and Ghost of Tsushima.
- User platform preferences (weight 0.03): Users mention playing the game on various platforms, including PS5 and PC, and some discuss their personal PC setups.
- Positive feedback on technical support (weight 0.02): The game supports a variety of monitor setups, including 32:9 monitors, and allows resolution changes without stretching.
- Negative future purchase intent (weight 0.02): Some users express dissatisfaction, stating they won't purchase Team Ninja games in the future.
- Mentions of game audio (weight 0.02): There are mentions of the game's audio aspects, specifically the French dubbing and music.

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.3): Players are frustrated primarily due to combat mechanics, which are often described as difficult, unclear, and unfair. Performance issues, including crashes, bugs, and poor optimization, significantly detract from the gameplay experience. Additionally, the stamina system and repetitive open-world elements contribute to the frustration.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.21): Players enjoy the combat system, which is frequently praised for its depth and engaging mechanics. The historical setting and story elements also contribute significantly to the enjoyment. Many players appreciate the character customization and the variety of weapons and combat styles available.
- Disappointment (weight 0.12): Disappointment stems from the game's combat mechanics and graphics, which are often compared unfavorably to other games. The storyline and open-world design are criticized for being repetitive and lacking depth. Performance issues and poor optimization further contribute to the disappointment.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.08): Players express satisfaction with the enjoyable and smooth gameplay experience, particularly the combat mechanics and variety of weapons. The historical setting and narrative are also appreciated. Many players are satisfied with the performance improvements and fixes that have been implemented.
- Positive (weight 0.04): Players have a positive experience with the game's combat system, story, and character customization. The overall gameplay and setting are enjoyed, and many players appreciate the cultural aspects and historical context.
- Joy (weight 0.04): Joy is derived from the enjoyable gameplay and combat mechanics, which are often described as fun and engaging. The historical setting and character customization also contribute to the joy. Players appreciate the variety of weapons and combat styles, as well as the game's content and unlockables.
- Anger (weight 0.03): Anger is primarily caused by the game's combat system and boss mechanics, which are described as poorly designed and frustrating. Performance issues, including crashes and poor optimization, further contribute to the anger. Specific bugs and issues with combat also cause significant frustration.
- Excitement (weight 0.02): Excitement is generated by the highly engaging and addictive gameplay, particularly the combat system, which is praised for its depth and variety. The historical setting and story elements also contribute to the excitement. Players are excited about the fast-paced combat and the design of the open world.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.02): Enthusiasm is driven by the unique setting and excellent gameplay, which are often described as underrated and full of content. Players are enthusiastic about the game's mechanics, story, and character customization. The combat system and open-world design are also praised.
- Appreciation (weight 0.01): Appreciation comes from the game's improvement over time, particularly in terms of combat system and boss design. The historical setting and character interactions are also appreciated. Players value the unique blend of gameplay styles and the beautiful visuals and settings.
- Excited (weight 0.01): Players are excited about the game being a refreshing breath of fresh air in the genre. The fun combat and character dating options, as well as the glider mobility and historical accuracy, contribute to the excitement. The satisfying combat mechanics and beautiful scenery are also praised.
- Frustrated (weight 0.01): Frustration is caused by the game's optimization and bugs, which significantly impact the gameplay experience. Repetitive gameplay and excessive reuse of assets also contribute to the frustration. The poor optimization and baffling deflect mechanic are particularly frustrating.
- Boredom (weight 0.01): Boredom stems from the repetitive progression system and bland story. The combat is criticized for being boring, and the exploration gameplay is described as tedious. The repetitive nature of the open world and generic characters contribute to the boredom.
- Admiration (weight 0.01): Admiration is driven by the game's breathtaking scenes and art direction. The beautiful locations and environments are praised, and the game's quality is appreciated. The historical context and character interactions also contribute to the admiration.
- Satisfied (weight 0.01): Satisfaction comes from the enjoyable action gameplay and the performance improvements and optimization fixes. The satisfying combat and character customization are also appreciated. Players are satisfied with the overall gameplay experience and the game's content.
- Love (weight 0.01): Love for the game is driven by the overall game experience, which is often described as entertaining and enjoyable. The interactions and battles are praised, and the game's entertainment value is appreciated. Players love the combat system and the historical setting.
- Relief (weight 0.01): Relief comes from the adjustable difficulty settings, which make the game more accessible. Players are relieved that the game no longer crashes after patches and fixes. The performance improvements and optimization fixes also contribute to the relief.
- Surprise (weight 0): Surprise is generated by the unexpected enjoyment of the game, which exceeds initial expectations. Players are surprised by how enjoyable the game is despite mixed reviews. The game's quality and depth are often praised as surprising elements.
- Angry (weight 0): Anger is caused by the game's save system issue, which is described as frustrating and problematic. Poor optimization and boss mechanics are also significant sources of anger. Specific bugs and performance issues further contribute to the anger.}