RONIN

68%
Game Brain Score Based on 921 reviews
  • gameplay
  • story
  • music
RONIN Game Cover
Be a vengeance-fuelled, motorcycle-riding, katana-wielding, physics-defying badass.
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"RONIN" is a single-player thriller platformer game with outstanding gameplay, delightful graphics, and an excellent soundtrack, despite some bugs. As a vengeful heroine, players must carefully plan and execute strikes to take down five powerful corporation figures across fifteen complex missions, utilizing turn-based action, decisive strikes, and various gadgets. With its distinctive atmosphere and blend of humor, "RONIN" promises a unique and thrilling experience.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Linux
  • Play​Station
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

68%
Audience ScoreBased on 921 reviews
gameplay138 positive mentions
stability38 negative mentions
  • Unique blend of turn-based combat and platforming mechanics that creates engaging gameplay.
  • Stylish visuals and a great soundtrack that enhance the overall experience.
  • Challenging gameplay that rewards strategic thinking and planning.
  • Controls can be inconsistent, leading to frustrating deaths and trial-and-error gameplay.
  • Lack of a compelling story and character development, making it hard to connect with the protagonist.
  • Final level lacks checkpoints, making it unnecessarily punishing and frustrating.
  • gameplay415 mentions

    The gameplay of "Ronin" is characterized by a unique blend of turn-based combat and stealth mechanics, offering a mix of action and strategy that can be both rewarding and frustrating. While many players appreciate the innovative mechanics and satisfying moments when they work, numerous reviews highlight issues with clunky controls, inconsistent mechanics, and a lack of polish that can detract from the overall experience. Despite its potential and engaging core concept, the game often feels hindered by its execution, leading to a mixed reception among players.

    • “It has an amazing soundtrack and gameplay that feels rewarding no matter if you choose the stealthy assassin gameplay or go in guns blazing.”
    • “The gameplay concept was interesting and the aesthetic embodied some of my favorite clichés of the genre.”
    • “Fun gameplay that makes you feel like a badass whenever you pull off murdering a room full of people.”
    • “It makes some questionable choices when it comes to the core game loop, sacrificing parts of it in favor of less exciting mechanics.”
    • “The gameplay has numerous issues with poor signaling in a one-shot kill game (jumps don't go where they say they will, blurry lines about whether a shot will hit you or not, etc.), while also failing to provide enough tools for the player to effectively find their own solution in combat.”
    • “The game feels shabbily thrown together, where the main movement and fighting mechanics left me guessing whether my character was going to decide if they wanted to actually jump through a platform, or stand completely still, get gunned down, and force me to restart the fight I'd been spending 10 minutes on.”
  • story267 mentions

    The game's story is minimalistic and largely serves as a backdrop for the gameplay, revolving around a straightforward revenge plot with little character development or depth. Many players noted that the narrative is conveyed through sparse text and lacks significant engagement, often feeling unfinished or underdeveloped. While some appreciated the simplicity and found it sufficient for the gameplay experience, others criticized the lack of a compelling storyline, suggesting that it detracted from the overall enjoyment of the game.

    • “The story is simple but well-told for what it is, and the gameplay has just enough variation to keep you learning throughout the whole playthrough.”
    • “The story in Ronin is a straightforward revenge mission with not a lot new to say, and I like that the game really owns that.”
    • “The story is minimalistic and could have used a little something near the end.”
    • “The story is minimal and practically nonexistent, serving as a pretense to the levels and progression in the game.”
    • “The story barely exists, the jump is often inaccurate, and the grapple hook throw doesn't always register.”
    • “The story is staler than the half-eaten box of crackers slowly decomposing in the back of your pantry.”
  • music123 mentions

    The music in the game has received a mixed reception, with many praising its atmospheric qualities and standout tracks that enhance the overall experience. While some players find the soundtrack enjoyable and fitting for the gameplay, others criticize it for being repetitive and forgettable at times. Overall, the soundtrack is often highlighted as one of the game's strongest aspects, contributing significantly to its ambiance and enjoyment.

    • “The music in this game is really well done, with Asian instrumentals and really good ambience & battle themes.”
    • “The soundtrack does some real heavy lifting as well, making a fantastic atmosphere!”
    • “The game's art style and music are both done very well, keeping the game dark and moody, but colorful and interesting too.”
    • “The music is too minimal, and gets old in less than an hour.”
    • “Music, like most games, bores you quickly.”
    • “The music is ok, it sort of fits the gameplay if it wasn't for the odd voices singing in the soundtrack, but to me, it's really forgettable.”
  • graphics102 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many praising its unique art style reminiscent of early 2000s indie games and comic book aesthetics, which effectively complement the gameplay. While some players appreciate the clean and simple visuals, others note technical issues and glitches that detract from the overall experience. Overall, the visuals are described as stylish and atmospheric, contributing positively to the game's ambiance, despite some criticisms regarding depth and polish.

    • “They remind me a lot of the cell-shaded Newgrounds-era art style that a lot of indie games in the 2000s used, and it's pulled off exceptionally well here.”
    • “The graphics are simple but fun, and well executed.”
    • “The graphics are as if they are comic-based and the plot is good to an extent.”
    • “Ronin is such an imaginative indie game, although its graphics are not very excellent, the combination of horizontal action gameplay and the turn-based system is a very creative and bold attempt.”
    • “The aesthetic of a biker slaughtering goons with a katana is awesome, but the paper cutout look doesn't look good no matter what you do with it.”
    • “Graphics won't dazzle you with any glorious details, but this is more like a feature for this kind of games.”
  • stability39 mentions

    The game's stability is frequently criticized, with many users reporting numerous bugs and glitches that affect gameplay, particularly with movement and jump mechanics. While some players find the experience enjoyable despite these issues, others describe it as frustrating and inconsistent, leading to moments where progress is hindered by technical problems. Overall, the game is seen as having potential but suffers from significant stability issues that can detract from the overall experience.

    • “Even in early access, this game feels like a finished product, with minimal bugs and a smooth experience.”
    • “The stability of this game is impressive; it runs seamlessly without any major issues.”
    • “I was pleasantly surprised by how stable the game is, especially considering it's still in early access.”
    • “A buggy and frustrating mess.”
    • “The gameplay leaves little room for error, and buggy controls make for a bittersweet experience that relies a bit more on luck than on skill, and it's upsetting when that happens.”
    • “It's just too buggy and the controls are way too sloppy and inconsistent.”
  • humor20 mentions

    The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with some players finding it amusing, particularly in its self-referential hints and absurd scenarios, like characters hilariously failing at stealth. However, many reviewers criticize the humor as forced or annoying, especially when it distracts from gameplay issues, leading to a perception that the game lacks the charm and wit of similar titles like Gunpoint. Overall, while there are moments of genuine humor, they are often overshadowed by clunky mechanics and repetitive jokes.

    • “The game's humorous hint, 'this is not a stealth game.'”
    • “While the gameplay might be very reminiscent of Gunpoint (which the game humorously points out through one of its hints), the main character has made peace with killing everyone involved, so go nuts.”
    • “Jump next to the window, then jump away and watch him hilariously throw himself out of the building to fall to his death after hitting some electrified wires.”
    • “And constantly popping up 'hint: you can't turn off these hints' is not funny, it's just annoying.”
    • “Another unfunny hint screen: 'the jump arc is a lie.'”
  • atmosphere19 mentions

    The atmosphere in Ronin is generally praised for its strong soundtrack and stylish graphics, which effectively create a captivating and immersive experience. While some players appreciate the unique ambiance and thematic elements reminiscent of anime and samurai culture, others feel that technical issues, such as poor checkpointing, can detract from the overall experience. Overall, the game's atmosphere is a highlight for many, contributing significantly to its enjoyment despite some criticisms.

    • “The soundtrack does some real heavy lifting as well, making a fantastic atmosphere!”
    • “The atmosphere is fantastic, and the Samurai Jack-style art suits the game perfectly.”
    • “The music found within Ronin fits with the style of the game perfectly and really adds to the atmosphere within the game!”
    • “For example, the atmosphere is ruined several times due to bad checkpointing and needing to wait about 5-7 seconds for the game to reload after you die.”
    • “Ronin has little to no story and no atmosphere as it bets on good gameplay, and it's not a bad bet... gameplay has some good ideas and I would have really enjoyed it... if it weren't completely ruined by horrific controls.”
    • “+atmosphere”
  • replayability19 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while some players find it enjoyable enough to return to, citing multiple approaches and endings, many others feel it lacks depth and variety, leading to limited replay value. The short length and simplistic level design contribute to this sentiment, with some players expressing a desire for additional content or features like a level editor to enhance replayability.

    • “This game can be very addicting; I see myself going back every year to play it, not because it's replayable, but because I just find it fun to go back and play as a bad-ass ninja.”
    • “The game has a lot of potential regarding replayability, with every level containing multiple ways to finish, different approaches regarding combat and abilities you can unlock; there are a lot of options to explore.”
    • “The levels are well laid out, and while the game is short, the new game plus and good and bad endings offer a lot of replayability.”
    • “I enjoyed it the first time around; I felt great, I enjoyed the art, but it has very little replayability. New Game+ is all RNG and the lines don't represent machine gun spread.”
    • “I loved this game and finished everything I could in it, but there isn't much replayability in it.”
    • “Cons - level design is too simple, the game is way too short, the detection system is just facepalm, the turn-based mechanic may seem cool but I find it weird and not fun to play, replay value is close to zero.”
  • grinding16 mentions

    Players consistently describe the grinding aspect of the game as tedious and frustrating, with repetitive mission objectives and poorly designed checkpoints that force them to replay challenging sections multiple times. The combat and stealth mechanics contribute to a sense of monotony, making progress feel like a chore rather than an engaging experience. Overall, the game's difficulty spikes and lack of meaningful gameplay variation lead to a tiresome grind that detracts from its potential.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “The late levels ramp up difficulty by giving you fewer checkpoints, so you have to repeat the tedious parts before you can retry the challenging parts, and that is, well, tedious.”
    • “There is nothing in this but tedious and tiresome levels featuring more enemy spam with a terrible save system and no story at all.”
    • “The combat mechanics are tedious, the game flow almost nonexistent, and the game has lots of checkpoints for the sole reason of being unnaturally difficult due to its eschewed core mechanics.”
  • optimization7 mentions

    The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing significant performance issues that hinder gameplay, while others note that it runs smoothly on most systems. Despite a well-designed combat system and an intriguing concept, problems such as long loading times, unresponsive controller support, and a lack of effective checkpoints detract from the overall experience. Overall, while the game shows promise, its optimization flaws prevent it from reaching its full potential.

    • “The game is great and runs smoothly on almost everything.”
    • “The game's concept is unique and interesting, but performance issues, long loading times between quick deaths, and a lack of checkpoints that can be loaded after you quit the game all bog it down.”
    • “Very good idea behind the game and for the most part it works very well; not really a platformer by any means but the turn-based combat is very well thought out and runs smoothly.”
    • “The developers just dropped a game with rampant performance issues, rendering it unplayable and ruining an otherwise really fun combat system and concept.”
    • “The game concept is great; I would really love to play this game with a controller from my sofa, watching it on the TV, but the controller doesn't seem to be optimized, making it impossible to play with.”
    • “The suggestions can't be deactivated, and the developer even made a joke about it, living off games that are more performance-friendly and actually playable.”
  • emotional5 mentions

    Players express a strong emotional connection to the game, highlighting a mix of regret and frustration, particularly with the second half. The emotional twist at the end leaves a lasting impression, while the gameplay fosters feelings of cleverness and skill, enhancing the overall experience.

    • “It has an emotional twist at the end which I will not spoil.”
    • “This game made me feel clever for taking out enemies before a fight, talented for balancing my position amid the crossfire, and cool for being a ninja.”
    • “I wholesomely regret having not played it before the refund window closed.”
  • character development2 mentions

    Character development in "Ronin" is heavily influenced by Tarantino's "Kill Bill," with users noting that the character design is visually appealing and well-executed. However, the depth of character development beyond aesthetics is not explicitly mentioned in the reviews.

    • “Developer Tom Wacławek was clearly inspired by Tarantino's 'Kill Bill', as 'Ronin's' character design and rough concept share similarities.”
    • “The character design is cool.”
    • “The character development feels shallow and uninspired, making it hard to connect with anyone in the game.”
    • “I expected more depth from the characters, but they all seem one-dimensional and forgettable.”
    • “The lack of meaningful growth for the characters left me feeling disappointed and disengaged from the story.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    Players appreciate the monetization model for its challenging unlocks that evoke nostalgia for older games, viewing it as a preferable alternative to microtransactions.

    • “The unlocks to level up your character can be demanding, but it's reminiscent of older games and 100 times better than microtransactions.”
    • “The unlocks to level up your character can be demanding, but it's reminiscent of older games... and 100 times better than microtransactions.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

63% average critic score

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Play time

10hMedian play time
12hAverage play time
5-22hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 9 analyzed playthroughs

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