Team Ninja's recent foray into the open-world Soulslike genre with Rise of the Ronin marks a departure from their traditional style, blending familiar mechanics with a vast sandbox environment. Unlike the hardcore nature of FromSoftware's Elden Ring, Rise of the Ronin introduces a more accessible combat system and adjustable difficulty settings, offering a fresh take on the genre.

Both Rise of the Ronin and Elden Ring symbolize the culmination of years of development by their respective studios. While Elden Ring showcases FromSoftware's evolution into an open-world masterpiece, Rise of the Ronin builds upon Team Ninja's expertise in delivering challenging yet engaging gameplay within an expansive world. The contrasting approaches to open-world design define the unique identity of each game.

Discovering Elden Ring's Boundless World

Inspired by the exploration elements of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Elden Ring offers players unparalleled freedom within its expansive world. Players can venture almost anywhere, with the only limitations being their skill level and creativity. The absence of map markers encourages organic exploration, reminiscent of classic adventure games.

Unlike traditional open-world titles, Elden Ring focuses on intricate world design and emergent gameplay, ensuring that every corner of the map holds hidden treasures. By integrating robust combat mechanics and character customization, the game delivers a unique open-world experience that sets it apart from its predecessors.

Ronin's Structured Open World Experience

While sharing similarities in challenging combat mechanics, Rise of the Ronin and Elden Ring diverge in their open-world approach. While Elden Ring embraces a non-linear design akin to modern classics, Rise of the Ronin follows a more traditional and streamlined format popularized by other open-world franchises.

Rise of the Ronin excels in guiding players through a series of engaging encounters, focusing on completing region-specific activities rather than freeform exploration. By trimming excess elements found in other titles, the game ensures a consistent and captivating experience for players. The game's structured design offers a different perspective on open-world gameplay compared to the freedom found in Elden Ring.