Ronin: Digital Special Edition

For the most part, Ronin is an economical exchange. A modest sum and five hours of your time, traded for an entertaining and challenging series of bloody puzzles to solve with the acrobatic sword-wielding protagonist. Set in a dark futuristic world of corrupt corporations, you cut a bloody swathe through uniformed mooks to pierce through to the villains who wronged you. However, your enjoyment of this game can vary wildly, depending on how well you can tolerate the following: the quick and frequent (but also awkward shifts) when you go from real-time movement to turn-based combat; rare but jarring glitches when you somehow pass through walls; constant reminders that this is not a stealth game and that it is not Gunpoint. To be fair, Ronin does take some decent steps to set itself apart, but it also feels like it's in an identity crisis. It defines itself as an action game and rejects stealth, yet some objectives require it. The final level is also an excruciating chore, since it removes the checkpoint system that allowed for frequent trials and errors in all its earlier levels. Even worse, finishing the level takes you straight to the credits, with one of two images as the backdrop depending on how you finished. No satisfying conclusion to a bare-bones tale of futuristic revenge. I bought this during a sale, and I still feel a little short-changed. It's entertaining enough for its price, but the flaws make this feel like someone's first game project. If you're interested, be sure that the interesting stealth/action puzzle aspect of Ronin will be the only thing you need to satisfy yourself.

RONIN is the thinking man's murder simulator. Most games with a basis of assassination go the 3rd person real-time action route but this one bucks the trend in favor of a turn-based mechanic. Whenever you are spotted by an enemy the game switches into this mode where you can plan out your movements and attacks all while avoiding the bullet trajectories of the people around you. For more information check out the VIDEO REVIEW: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qGcWLpR49g

Unfortunately I found this out after buying the game, but there are numerous comments on the internet about the mouse control breaking if you're not playing in (allegedly) 1080p resolution. Using a controller improves the overall situation a bit, but is still not ideal. And sadly for a game entirely dependent on its jump mechanic, this is a game breaking issue. There is no way to tweak the controls and the options menu is very limited. Just double checked to make sure I'm not writing nonsense and tired the game again and got stuck inside a wall... twice... (another known game breaking bug). If you can get over the issues however, you'll get yourself an enjoyable game - the idea is great, the soundtrack and art are good too. Get it from a friend, try it, and if it works for you, buy it. Otherwise I cannot recommend Ronin.