Team Ninja’s open-world action-adventure game has new details on its website.

Meet the major political factions vying for power in this tumultuous time. Anti-Shogunate forces, united in their mission to restore imperial authority; Pro-Shogunate forces, defenders of centralized rule; and Western forces, catalysts of Japan’s opening to foreign trade and change. Sabaku is pro-shogunate: loyal hearts, unwavering determination. The pro-shogunate forces of the Bakumatsu era are supporters of the Tokugawa, seeking to maintain their centralized rule and defend the shogunate against external pressures and internal threats to preserve the existing political order. Naosuke Ii is the chief minister of the shogunate and clan lord of Hikone. Working with the Western powers, he opens Japan’s ports to foreign trade. Known for his merciless suppression of opposition, he is feared as “The Red Demon of Ii,” a nickname inherited from his ancestor. Among the martial arts, Iai is his forte. Considered a man of taste, Ii also possesses a deep knowledge of the finer things, not the least of which are tea and poetry. The Hiroyuki Ringa is passed down by members of the Ii clan. Eventually, this weapon was given ornamental fittings based on a nickname given to the 20th clan leader, Naomasa Ii: the “Red Demon”. Taka Murayama is a famous geisha of the Miyozaki entertainment district in Yokohama. She is known for her witty banter and melancholy good looks. She is said to have performed as a geisha in Kyoto in the past.

Tobaku is anti-shogunate, no longer silent. The Anti-Shogunate forces are made up of various groups and individuals united by their opposition to Shogunate rule and their desire to restore Imperial authority in Japan. Ryoma Sakamoto is a ronin formerly of the Tosa Clan. Determined to keep a steady hand on the tiller of Japan as it opens its ports to foreign trade, he tirelessly searches for the right course of action. An endearingly earnest soul, he is quick to win the affections of others. Not only is he a master of the Hokushin-Itto-ryu school of swordplay, but he is also a deadly shot with a Western-style pistol. The Mutsunokami Yoshiyuki is the eponymous work of a Tosa swordsmith. This precious heirloom features an elaborate custom mount, dragon-themed scabbard, and hilt ornament. Kogoro Katsura is a feudal retainer of the Choshu Clan and a close associate of Shoin Yoshida. A compassionate soul, he serves as a mentor to the younger retainers of his clan. His level-headed and cautious approach has earned him the trust of Choshu’s senior statesmen. His only flaw is an unhealthy love of sake, which has led to the occasional scandal. The Bizen Osafune Kiyomitsu is a “Sue-Bizen” work of the Osafune school, this elegant blade features an elaborate mount custom-made for Katsura, and the sword’s hilt ornament and scabbard feature a pine motif.

Obei means the Western forces with the winds of change. The Western Forces of the Bakumatsu era are the American and European powers who want to open up Japan to foreign trade, ending the country’s long-standing isolationist policies and influencing its political and economic landscape. Matthew Perry is the Commodore of the United States Navy (or perhaps a recently deceased actor). By order of President Millard Fillmore, his fleet of Black Ships has circumnavigated the globe to negotiate the opening of Japan’s ports to trade. He is determined to force the opening of Japan before any other Western power. The Commodore’s Saber is a standard issue for officers of the United States Navy. Distinguished by the gold-plated brass on the hilt, guard, and scabbard, it’s a saber of exquisite craftsmanship. Rutherford Alcock is a British diplomat. He’s tasked with assessing the value of Japan’s integration into the global economy and reporting his findings to his superiors. Although he denounces the Shogunate’s exclusionary policies as “barbaric,” he has a deep fascination with Japanese craftsmanship. A former surgeon, he can be counted on to treat the wounded. Alcock carries the Sophisticate’s sword. Although he is usually accompanied by an escort of bodyguards, Alcock keeps this sword on his person in case he needs to take matters into his own hands.

Rise of the Ronin launches on March 22 for PlayStation 5.

Source: Forrás: Gematsu