Rise of the Ronin slices a path to PC

Blades out, warriors. Rise of the Ronin is an open-world action RPG with solo and online co-op play, in which you take on the role of a nameless warrior slicing through Edo-period Japan. Initially released for PlayStation 5 in March 2024, the acclaimed game is heading to PC on March 10, 2025, with a bunch of sweet tune-ups. Intel Gaming Access went head-to-head with Fumihiko Yasuda, Development Producer  on Rise of the Ronin and head of Team NINJA at Koei Tecmo Games, to get the full story on the PC version.

Battling enemies is a big part of the journey in Rise of the Ronin, but there’s also plenty of dramatic storytelling between bouts. The choices you make will have an impact on the unfolding story as you travel the land, although it’s the sharp edges of hand-to-hand combat that frequently take center stage. The variety of weapons and battle styles let you bring your own flair to each encounter, whether fighting solo or with up to two other players in co-op. “We are dedicated to creating a satisfying action experience,” says Yasuda. “Additionally, players can choose the difficulty level that suits them most, making it accessible for those who may not be as skilled in action games but want to enjoy the story and action.”

One intriguing facet of the storytelling in Rise of the Ronin are the bonds you can form with characters in the world, including those drawn from the 19th century period in which the game is set. “Players can deepen their connections with historical figures such as Ryoma Sakamoto and members of the Shinsengumi, regardless of the protagonist’s gender or ethnicity,” Yasuda says. “In addition to combat and exploration, players can also enjoy romantic interactions with various characters.”

Team NINJA took the responsibility of prepping Rise of the Ronin for PC very seriously, and players can expect a supercharged experience. “When adapting to the PC version, we deemed it essential to fully utilize the capabilities of the latest graphics cards by implementing various super-resolution technologies, which required significant time and effort,” says Yasuda. “One particular challenge was the frame generation technology, which had a clear impact even from the development team’s perspective. We made adjustments to ensure a comfortable gameplay experience by addressing issues such as UI inconsistencies and rendering artifacts. We believe this will contribute to a high-fps action experience for PC gamers.”

It’s worth listing the PC-exclusive features of Rise of the Ronin, which Yasuda groups under five main elements: graphics, performance, device/screen compatibility, sound, and user interface/controls.

• Graphics: Supports native 4K and up to 8K resolution, ray tracing, Intel XeSS Super Resolution graphics technology, and other graphics-enhancing technologies.
• Performance: Supports DirectX® 12 Ultimate, and up to 120fps.
• Device/Screen Compatibility: Supports ultrawide and super ultrawide monitors.
• Sound: Supports 3D audio.
• UI/Controls: Customizable keyboard and mouse controls, UI menu with mouse clickability.

While there are of course settings for all occasions, plus smart software boosts from Intel XeSS and others, it’s no surprise the game will benefit from a powerful PC. “Due to the nature of the game, higher machine power leads to the best experience, making PC performance very important,” affirms Yasuda. “We have included a wide range of graphics options that accommodate resolution and fps settings. With a high-performance CPU, graphics card, and ultrawide monitor, players will have an exceptional experience.”

With the March 10th launch imminent, there’s just time to ready your PC to receive Rise of the Ronin, and even if you’ve played on PlayStation 5, there are plenty of good reasons to take it for a second spin. “We hope that everyone, including those who have played the console version, will enjoy the world of Rise of the Ronin once again,” says Yasuda. “We have added several elements to accommodate a wide range of PC environments, so please look forward to it and enjoy!”

Purchase Rise of the Ronin on Steam