Rise of the Ronin is the latest game byTeam Ninja, a famous studio behind titles such asNioh,Nioh 2,Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty,Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin, andNinja Gaiden: Master Collection. However, Rise of the Ronin is a different breed for the studio: not only is it their first foray into an open-world formula, but it also features the most realistic setting Team Ninja has ever tackled.
Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty - All Divine Beasts, Ranked
Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty provides you will 10 Divine Beasts you’re able to call upon to aid you on your journey. This list ranks the best among them.
The events of Rise of the Ronin take place during the Bakumatsu period, the final years of the Edo period from 1853 to 1868. This historical backdrop sets the game apart from many other open-world action titles that often incorporate fantasy elements. With its historically-accurate setting, the title sheds light on real-life events and historical figures of that time that played a significant role in shaping history. Players who enjoy open-world exploration in a grounded historical setting, devoid of fictional elements, may also be interested in similar games. Below, you can find some of the best offerings akin to Rise of the Ronin.
10Mafia 2: Definitive Edition (2020)
Representation of a major United States city from 1945 to 1951.
Mafia 2: Definitive Editionis little more than a fresh coat of paint on the original 2010 game by 2K Czech. However, thanks to the strong foundation of the original, it doesn’t need much more to be enjoyed to its fullest. Immerse yourself in a gangster story that spans six years, bringing to life different periods in the fictional (but incredibly realistically depicted) American city of Empire Bay.
WhileMafia 2’s open-world may lack various activities, collectibles, or side assignments, it’s a well-realized place that feels nice to cruise around behind the wheel of a retro car, listening to authentic music on the radio.
Mafia 2: Definitive Edition
9Assassin’s Creed Syndicate (2015)
London at the onset of the Second Industrial Revolution in 1868.
Before the latest mythological trilogy,Assassin’s Creedtended to steer clear of legendary elements, andSyndicateserves as a fine example of this grounded approach. The bustling open world of pre-industrial London is a vivid place with admirable attention to detail from that era, featuring a spectacular list of celebrities like Charles Dickens, Alexander Graham Bell, Karl Marx, and Charles Darwin.
Alternatively, you may want to exploreAssassin’s Creed Unity(2014), set in Paris during the French Revolution from 1789 to 1794. It also provides a realistic and grounded setting filled with real historical figures like Marquis de Sade, Maximilien Robespierre, and Napoleon Bonaparte.
Assassin’s Creed Syndicate
8Kingdom Come: Deliverance (2018)
The Bohemian–Hungarian War in 1403.
Kingdom Come: Deliverancewas designed as the most grounded and authentic open-world medieval game ever made, with some arguing that the developers atWarhorsetook things a bit too far. However, this is precisely what makes Kingdom Come a very special game that is hard to put down once it has its hooks on you.
10 Best Looking Open-World Games, Ranked
From Ghost of Tsushima to Cyberpunk 2077, here are the best looking open worlds in gaming.
Created under the supervision of numerous historical experts, the title throws you into a brutal environment where life could be far more dangerous and challenging than players are used to in other RPGs. From carefully recreated armor and combat systems to authentic first-person horse riding, Deliverance is a harsh and honest demonstration of the power of video games, providing an almost time travel experience.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance
7Assassin’s Creed Mirage (2023)
Assassin’s Creed Mirageis a rare game in the series that is stripped of the mythological elements that the last trilogy tackled so heavily. UnlikeOrigins,Odyssey, andValhalla, Mirage is a much more grounded story that takes place during the Anarchy at Samarra in Baghdad. You won’t find any legendary creatures or mythical realms here, asUbisoftwanted to offer a return to the Assassin’s Creed roots, with heavy parallels to the series' very first entry.
Mirage is also a much less expansiveUbisoft open-world project than what we’ve become used to,one that won’t eat up hundreds of hoursof your time and can be completed in about 20 hours.
Assassin’s Creed Mirage
6Mafia: Definitive Edition (2020)
Fictional look at Illinois during the 1930s.
A romanticized representation of criminal America in the mid-1930s, heavily influenced by the iconic Godfather movie trilogy,Mafia: Definitive Editionis a full-fledged remake of the classic 2002’s game and is the best title byHangar 13to date.
Although its open world is more of a decoration than a complex playground with numerous scattered activities, its admirable postcard views of a bustling city, combined with an expanded story and more fleshed-out characters than in the original, are well worth your attention. It’s also one of the shortest on this list, taking just about 12 hours to reach the end credits.
Mafia: Definitive Edition
5Like a Dragon: Ishin! (2023)
Return to Bakumatsu phase of the Late Edo period in 1853–1867.
Like a Dragon: Ishin!is very similar to Rise of the Ronin due to the exact same setting – the Bakumatsu period of the 1860s. However, as you might expect from the creators ofYakuzaatRyu Ga Gotoku Studio, this version of Kyoto takes a much more wacky approach whilestill capturing the essenceof that time.
10 Largest Open-World Video Game Maps, Ranked
Are video games becoming too big? These titles with the largest open-world maps don’t think so.
Like a Dragon: Ishin! is a remake of the 2014’s game and a spin-off of theLike a Dragonseries, so players can expect dozens of exciting mini-games, hack-n-slash combat encounters, and a plot full of unexpected twists — all with a classic Yakuza flavor.
Like a Dragon: Ishin!
4Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut (2021)
The first Mongol invasion of Japan in 1274.
Ghost of Tsushimais a real paradise for those who yearn toembody a pure-blooded samuraiduring one of Japan’s most captivating historical periods. The huge open world of Tsushima island is remarkably beautiful, with breathtaking vistas that Rise of the Ronincouldn’t quite match even four years later.
One ofSucker Punch’s notable achievements with Ghost of Tsushima is the robust and precise combat system that excels in providing the feeling of wielding a deadly sword. Previously exclusive to PlayStation consoles, the Director’s Cut of the game will also be available on PC later this year, starting May 16th.
Ghost of Tsushima
3L.A. Noire (2011)
An authentic depiction of criminal life in Los Angeles during 1947.
Not to be mistaken for just another Mafia game,L.A. Noiretruly stands on its own, delivering one of the most diligent open-world detective simulators to date. Set in 1947 Los Angeles, the game puts you on the other side of the fence from Mafia, immersing players into tangled murder cases and providing a very authentic feeling of past times.
Upon its release, nothing quite matchedTeam Bondi’s unique creation, which utilized cutting-edge performance capture technologies of its time. While its open world may feel somewhat sparse outside of missions (a common trait in Mafia games as well), more than a decade later, L.A. Noire remains a noteworthy choice for players seeking an immersive journey into a bygone era.
L.A. Noire
A look at the decline of the American frontier in 1911.
Like its more recent sequel (which is actually a prequel),Red Dead Redemptionoffers an impressive portrayal of the American Wild West era during its final stages. It features a vast open world with numerous activities and an engaging story with believable characters. From horseback riding and open prairie nights to bounty hunting and bustling cities, the game offers a diverse range of experiences that remain enjoyable even today.
10 Best Discontinued Open-World Games, Ranked
These games are great, but they can’t be explored like they used to. Don’t hold your breath waiting for a sequel!
Released eight years prior to RDR 2, the series' first entry may not match the visual fidelity of modern games, but it still delivers a remarkable adventure in a realistic setting that shouldn’t be overlooked.
Red Dead Redemption
Representation of the United States in 1899.
Red Dead Redemption 2’s world still stands out asone of the most lively and realistic environmentsin video games, even six years after its launch.Rockstar’s meticulous attention to every aspect of its creation, combined with an epic story of a gang of outlaws and NPCs with various reactions, creates an unmatched virtual tour of life 120 years ago.
While Red Dead Redemption 2 is a pure third-person shooter rather than a sword-swinging action game like Rise of the Ronin, it serves as one of the best examples of grounded settings in the industry. This level of detail andimmersion is simply unmatchedby any other developer.
