Ri e of the Ronin v Gho t of T u hima & AC Shadow

With Rise of the Ronin now on PS5 and PC, and Assassin’s Creed Shadows finally joining the conversation, the comparison game has gotten crowded. Let’s sort out the facts — Metacritic scores, combat depth, sales figures — so you can make a confident choice.

Metacritic score (PS5): 76 ·
Developer: Team NINJA (Koei Tecmo) ·
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment ·
Release date: March 22, 2024 ·
Platforms: PS5 (2024), PC (2025 via Steam) ·
Estimated main story length: 30–40 hours

Key specifications for Rise of the Ronin at a glance:

Here is how the three Japan-set games compare on key metrics:

Is Rise of the Ronin a Good Game?

Metacritic review summary

Rise of the Ronin holds a Metacritic score of 76 based on PS5 reviews (Metacritic). That’s a solid, if not spectacular, reception — landing it in “Mixed or Average” territory. For context, the same aggregator gives Assassin’s Creed Shadows a score of 81 (Metacritic), while Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut sits at 83. The gap tells the story.

Critical reception highlights

Reviewers consistently praise Team NINJA’s combat system. IGN notes the game features a “cut above” combat loop that rewards timing and weapon choice. The open world, however, draws more criticism — many compare its structure unfavorably to Ghost of Tsushima’s more curated approach. Wikipedia describes the game as a 2024 action role-playing game developed by Team NINJA and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment.

“The combat is the standout feature — it’s fluid, punishing, and rewards mastery in a way that feels distinctly Team NINJA.”

— IGN Review summary

The implication: Rise of the Ronin competes well on mechanics but loses on polish and story.

Rise of the Ronin vs Ghost of Tsushima: Which Is Better?

Combat systems compared

Four games across two developers, one clear split: Team NINJA builds layered, stamina-based combat that demands precise parries and combos, while Sucker Punch goes for a fluid, cinematic approach with stance-switching tied to enemy types. GamingBolt ranks Rise of the Ronin as the “obvious weak link” among the trio, largely because its combat depth doesn’t fully compensate for weaker enemy variety.

Open-world design differences

Ghost of Tsushima uses wind, birds, and smoke as navigation — a minimal-HUD approach that critics love. Rise of the Ronin relies on a more traditional compass-and-marker system. For exploration purists, Ghost of Tsushima wins. For players who prefer clear waypoints, Rise of the Ronin is more straightforward.

Story and setting comparison

Ghost of Tsushima is set in 1274 during the Mongol invasion of Tsushima (PlayStation). Rise of the Ronin takes place in Bakumatsu-era Japan in the 19th century (PlayStation Blog). Both are Japanese-history games, but they’re separated by nearly 600 years. The Ronin’s late-Tokugawa setting offers more political intrigue and firearms, while Tsushima is a samurai-vs-Mongol revenge story.

The pattern: Each game excels in different areas — Tsushima in storytelling, Ronin in combat mechanics.

Is Rise of the Ronin Better Than Assassin’s Creed Shadows?

Combat mechanics

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is reviewed on Metacritic with a score of 81 from 98 critic reviews (Metacritic). It features two playable protagonists — Naoe and Yasuke — offering both stealth and brute-force approaches (Ubisoft News). Rise of the Ronin has one protagonist but lets you customize your character’s background and allegiances. GamingBolt argues that AC Shadows is the better option for players who prioritize traversal or stealth.

Performance and graphics

Rise of the Ronin runs on Team NINJA’s proprietary engine and targets 60 fps on PS5 with occasional frame drops in busy areas. AC Shadows uses the Anvil engine and, based on early reviews, handles its larger draw distances well. Both games are available now — Shadows released March 20, 2025 (Ubisoft News), while Ronin landed on PS5 in March 2024 and PC in March 2025.

Verdict for undecided buyers

If you want stealth and narrative depth with two distinct playstyles, AC Shadows is the current leader. If you prefer Nioh-style combat and a more hands-on skill curve, Rise of the Ronin is your option. The two games target different player appetites despite sharing a Japanese setting.

“Assassin’s Creed Shadows is the better option for players who prioritize traversal or stealth.”

— GamingBolt comparison

The catch: AC Shadows leads in stealth and narrative flexibility, leaving Ronin as the combat‑first alternative.

Did Rise of the Ronin Sell Well?

Sales figures

No official sales figure from Sony has been published. Sales Wiki Fandom estimates modest numbers, but without a publisher statement, any number is speculative. Ghost of Tsushima, by contrast, had sold over 8 million copies by 2021, according to Sony. The absence of a comparable Ronin figure suggests either slower sales or a strategic decision not to disclose.

Market positioning and competition

Rise of the Ronin launched as a PS5 exclusive in a year dominated by high-profile releases. Its 76 Metacritic score, while respectable, puts it in a tougher spot against the 83 of Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut and the 81 of AC Shadows. The PC release in March 2025 may boost its long-tail revenue, but early sales momentum appears modest compared to its rivals.

The implication: Sales data remains inconclusive, but the competitive landscape suggests Ronin is the underdog.

How Long Is Rise of the Ronin?

Three games, three different time commitments. Rise of the Ronin’s main story is estimated at 30–40 hours, with completionist playtime pushing that to 60–80 hours. That matches the genre standard for open-world action RPGs — comparable to Ghost of Tsushima’s 25-hour main story and 50-hour completionist run, and similar to AC Shadows’ expected length.

• Main story: 30–40 hours
• Completionist: 60–80 hours
• Length comparable to: Ghost of Tsushima, other open-world action RPGs

The pattern: Rise of the Ronin offers a typical open‑world time investment, neither shorter nor longer than its rivals.

Timeline

• March 22, 2024 — Rise of the Ronin released exclusively on PlayStation 5.
• March 11, 2025 — Rise of the Ronin released on PC via Steam.
• 2024–2025 — Team NINJA releases several patches and updates based on player feedback.
• March 20, 2025 — Assassin’s Creed Shadows released, expanding the Japan-themed open-world competition.

The implication: The release sequence gave Ronin a head start on PS5 but faced new competition with the PC launch and AC Shadows.

What We Know vs. What We Don’t

What’s confirmed

• Metacritic score: 76 for PS5 (Metacritic)
• Developed by: Team NINJA, published by Sony Interactive Entertainment (PlayStation Blog)
• PC release: March 11, 2025 via Steam
• Game length: 30–40 hours main story

What remains unclear

• Sales figures: No official Sony disclosure
• Sequel plans: Unconfirmed
• Sales comparison: Ghost of Tsushima sold over 8 million, but exact comparison data is unavailable
• No official data compares Rise of the Ronin sales to Assassin’s Creed Shadows.

“Rise of the Ronin is a 2024 action-role playing game developed by Team NINJA and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment.”

— Wikipedia entry

The pattern: Confirmed facts are limited to review scores and release logistics; sales and long‑term plans remain opaque.

Final Verdict: Which Game Should You Actually Buy?

The landscape has shifted. With three major Japan-set open-world games now available, the choice depends on what you prioritize. Ghost of Tsushima remains the gold standard for cinematic storytelling and exploration. Assassin’s Creed Shadows offers the broadest character variety and stealth mechanics. Rise of the Ronin delivers Team NINJA’s signature combat depth but lags behind in polish and narrative.

For the player who values combat mastery above all else, the recommendation is clear: Rise of the Ronin. For anyone seeking a richer story and more immersive world, Ghost of Tsushima is the safer bet. And for stealth fans who want dual-protagonist flexibility, Assassin’s Creed Shadows is the new benchmark. The market now has three strong options — the hard part is choosing just one.

För en djupare analys av hur dessa titlar står sig mot varandra, se en jämförelse mellan Rise of the Ronin och Ghost of Tsushima.

Frequently Asked Questions

These answers reflect the most commonly asked questions about Rise of the Ronin.