Rise of the Ronin: release date for new Team Ninja game inspired by Ghost of Tsushima, gameplay - and trailer

Rise of the Ronin, a brand-new action RPG from Ninja Gaiden and Nioh developer Team Ninja, was revealed on Tuesday (13 September) during Sony’s State of Play livestream.

According to Team Ninja director and president Fumihiko Yasuda, Rise of the Ronin is a seven-years-in-the-making adventure that will transport players to 19th century Edo-era Japan.

But when will you be able to play it, and what’s it all about?

Details are thin on the ground at the moment, as the came is still a couple of years away, but here’s everything you need to know about it.

What is Rise of the Ronin?

Rise of the Ronin is a combat-focused open-world action RPG set in Japan during a period of immense change.

Set in the late 19th century, in the final year of the Edo Period - known as “Bakumatsu” - Japan is suffering its worst hour as it battles with repressive rulers and fatal plagues.

While civil war rages between the Tokugawa Shogunate and the Anti-Shogunate groups, you play as a Ronin, a warrior not bonded to any master and free to make their own decisions.

Developers Team Ninja say Rise of the Ronin will immerse players in a historically inspired setting while combining the studio’s famed combat action with Katanas and new firearm weapons that portrays the time period’s particular characteristics.

The debut trailer features plenty of breathtaking action, with its unnamed Ronin floating through the skies, engaging in acrobatic sword battle, employing a grappling hook, and slaying adversaries with bayonet and musket.

The studio says it really wants to push things to the next level by aiming to portray the most significant revolution in Japanese history in its entirety, including the darkest and ugliest chapters that many would gloss over.

“This is undoubtedly the most ambitious and challenging project for Team Ninja Studio to date,” it says.

Team Ninja director and president Fumihiko Yasuda promises “new combat action” and “unrestrained open gameplay” to immerse players in the role of the Ronin.

The developers also promise a "multilayered story" that highlights the Bakumatsu period, as well as each character the player meets having their own "brand of justice and motivations."

It appears that the game will be inspired by Western open-world games like Assassin’s Creed, which is apt considering the subject matter.

When can I play it?

Rise of the Ronin is set for release in 2024 as a PS5 console exclusive.