Rise of the Ronin is the latest game by Team Ninja, a famous studio behind titles such as Nioh, Nioh 2, Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty, Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin, and Ninja 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.

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.

10 Mafia 2: Definitive Edition (2020)

Representation of a major United States city from 1945 to 1951.

• Metascore: 72
• How long: story — 12 to 16 hours, DLC — 15 to 20 hours
• Platforms: PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5

Mafia 2: Definitive Edition is 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.

While Mafia 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.

9 Assassin’s Creed Syndicate (2015)

London at the onset of the Second Industrial Revolution in 1868.

• Metascore: 76
• How long: 19 to 34 hours
• Platforms: PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5

Before the latest mythological trilogy, Assassin’s Creed tended to steer clear of legendary elements, and Syndicate serves 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 explore Assassin’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.

8 Kingdom Come: Deliverance (2018)

The Bohemian–Hungarian War in 1403.

• Metascore: 76
• How long: 41 to 80 hours
• Platforms: PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch

Kingdom Come: Deliverance was designed as the most grounded and authentic open-world medieval game ever made, with some arguing that the developers at Warhorse took 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.

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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.

7 Assassin’s Creed Mirage (2023)

Baghdad during the Islamic Golden Age from 861 to 870.

• Metascore: 76
• How long: 16 to 22 hours
• Platforms: PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5

Assassin’s Creed Mirage is a rare game in the series that is stripped of the mythological elements that the last trilogy tackled so heavily. Unlike Origins, Odyssey, and Valhalla, 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, as Ubisoft wanted 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 expansive Ubisoft open-world project than what we’ve become used to, one that won’t eat up hundreds of hours of your time and can be completed in about 20 hours.

6 Mafia: Definitive Edition (2020)

Fictional look at Illinois during the 1930s.

• Metascore: 78
• How long: 11 to 13 hours
• Platforms: PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5

A romanticized representation of criminal America in the mid-1930s, heavily influenced by the iconic Godfather movie trilogy, Mafia: Definitive Edition is a full-fledged remake of the classic 2002’s game and is the best title by Hangar 13 to 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.

5 Like a Dragon: Ishin! (2023)

Return to Bakumatsu phase of the Late Edo period in 1853–1867.

• Metascore: 81
• How long: 24 to 46 hours
• Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

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 of Yakuza at Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, this version of Kyoto takes a much more wacky approach while still capturing the essence of that time.

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Like a Dragon: Ishin! is a remake of the 2014’s game and a spin-off of the Like a Dragon series, 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.

4 Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut (2021)

The first Mongol invasion of Japan in 1274.

• Metascore: 87
• How long: 30 to 56 hours
• Platforms: PS4, PS5, PC (announced)

Ghost of Tsushima is a real paradise for those who yearn to embody a pure-blooded samurai during 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 Ronin couldn’t quite match even four years later.

One of Sucker 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.

3 L.A. Noire (2011)

An authentic depiction of criminal life in Los Angeles during 1947.

• Metascore: 89
• How long: 22 to 29 hours
• Platforms: PC, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS3, PS4, PS5, Switch

Not to be mistaken for just another Mafia game, L.A. Noire truly 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 matched Team 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.

2 Red Dead Redemption (2010)

A look at the decline of the American frontier in 1911.

• Metascore: 95
• How long: 18 to 27 hours
• Platforms: Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS3, PS4, PS5, Switch

Like its more recent sequel (which is actually a prequel), Red Dead Redemption offers 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.

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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.

1 Red Dead Redemption 2 (2018)

Representation of the United States in 1899.

• Metascore: 97
• How long: 50 to 83 hours
• Platforms: PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5

Red Dead Redemption 2’s world still stands out as one of the most lively and realistic environments in 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 and immersion is simply unmatched by any other developer.

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