Single-player action games are seldom exclusively single-player affairs nowadays. For instance, look at games like Elden Ring, where players can assist each other in completing challenging missions.Rise Of The Ronin, Koei Tecmo’s open-world action game with plenty of Soulslike influence, also includes cooperative multiplayer.

If you’re stuck on a formidable boss battle or have grown tired of working alone, you can quickly jump into Rise Of The Ronin’s online multiplayer modes. Additionally, the game includes several ghost character features that allow you to compete with or fight alongside AIs based on ronin from around the world. Keep reading, and we’ll help you get started.

The protagonist fights another ronin on a dirt road in Rise Of The Ronin.

How To Get Started Online

Rise Of The Ronin’s online multiplayer features take place amongcooperative missions. So, instead of playing alongside your NPC allies, gamers worldwide can join you on Ronin Missions and vice-versa.

You can join or host an online mission via theCooperatemenu bystarting a session at your longhouse or finding a party on the mission preparation screen. Use the following options to begin an online multiplayer mission:

Three ronin close in on the Blade Twin inside the US Consulate Ballroom during an online cooperative mission in Rise Of The Ronin.

Interacting With Other Ronin

There are other ways you can interact with fellow ronin besides cooperative missions. It’s possible to aid a fellow ronin and fight against bandits in an Unruly Area. You may also battle against other ronin to gain weapons and learn their skills. These are not live interactions. Instead, you’llinteract with ghost AIs based on real Rise Of The Ronin players.

Aiding Ronin

You’ll sometimes notice fallen ronin when you enter an Unruly Area. You can tell these ronin apart from other characters because they will havea red kneeling samurai icon hovering above them. You can revive these characters byapproaching them and holding the R1 button. Then, the ronin you aided will fight alongside you in battle.

Battling Ronin

It’s common to notice ronin wandering the streets in your travels. Unlike other NPCs, these characters’titles and PSN IDs will be displayedabove their heads. Fortunately, these ghost characters are not aggressive and will not attack you unless you initiate a conflict.

When you defeat other ronin, you’llgain proficiency in their primary weapons and win new weapons of the same type. However, this benefit comes with a significant risk. Fighting ronin in public willraise your Wanted Level. So, you’ll need to find a place to lie low after the fight while your Wanted Level returns to normal.

The protagonist uses a gesture communicating others to follow him while traversing a river in Rise Of The Ronin.

Tips For Online Missions

Cooperating with humans is much different than utilizing your AI allies in Rise Of The Ronin. Having two experienced players to work with makes completing missions much more manageable. However, the ease you’ll experience willdepend on how well you work as a team. Here are some tips to help your teamwork make the dream work.

Use Gestures To Communicate

You may not feel up to voice chatting with strangers in Rise Of The Ronin. But that doesn’t mean you can’t communicate. Usinggestures is an efficient way to express ideaswith your team without all the jargon.

Cross (X)

Focus On What Your Allies Are Doing And Plan Accordingly

One of the best parts of playing ronin missions online is that you candivide your attention to address multiple obstacles. Plus, you cancomplement each other’s strengths and weaknesses in battle.

For instance, suppose the party leader is fighting a formidable foe while additional enemies flank them from both sides. In that case, you cancover your leader by targeting the surrounding enemies. This will give the leader direct access to their opponent without outside interference.

One player supports his teammates with a rifle while they attack the Blade Twin head-on inside the US Consulate Ballroom during a cooperative mission in Rise Of The Ronin.

Here is another example. You and your party are facing a problematic boss like the Blue Demon. Your two peers are occupying the Blue Demon with melee attacks. Instead of joining your teammates, you canuse your stellar rifle skills to deliver headshotsto the Blue Demon, making him quick work for your allies.

The main takeaway is thatobserving what your allies are doing is essential. Then, you should ask yourself how you may best assist them and act accordingly. Often, you’ll discover that you’ll play a more valuable role as a supporting player than the MVP.

Two online allies approach the US Consulate Ballroom together during a cooperative mission in Rise Of The Ronin.

Stay Close To Your Party

Have you ever gone on a class field trip when suddenly everything grinds to a halt while your teachers scramble to search for the student who wandered off, taking too many photos? Wasn’t that the worst? Ronin missions are similar to class school trips. You’re screwing your teammates over when you go rogue and roam who knows where.

You don’t need to cling to your teammates at all times. However, it’s crucial tostay in their field of vision. Then, if you end up in danger, you’ll always have an ally nearby to assist you. Conversely, if your ally gets in deep trouble, you’ll be close enough to aid them.

A blue dot indicates where to find online allies during cooperative missions in Rise Of The Ronin.

Have you lost sight of your teammates? There’s no need to worry! The game UI uses two markers to direct you to allies:a blue dot and a yellow dot. Follow these dots whenever you feel lost.