It’s not hard to see Rise of the Ronin’s predecessors in it. Nioh’s launch in February 2017 marked a turning point for the acclaimed action developer Team Ninja, as it began backing away from the Dead or Alive and Ninja Gaiden franchises in favor of loot-heavy Soulslikes. The studio’s signature precision combat never left, but it took on a new form that not all of its old fans stuck around for. Since then, Team Ninja’s primary focus has been making tough-as-nails action-RPGs that emphasize replay value, and those traditions are alive and well in Rise of the Ronin. However, describing RotR as another Team Ninja Soulslike doesn't tell its full story.