Rise Of The Ronin Factions: Should You Be Pro Or Anti-Shogunate?

Throughout 's campaign, players will have to make several choices, which can have major repercussions for their character and the fate of Japan in the game. These can be through general dialogue options — of which more are unlocked if players acquire the correct skills — along with choosing to work with certain characters, or simply through a prompt to pick between two set actions.

When making dialogue choices, green options represent Anti-Shogunate choices while purple represents Pro-Shogunate.

[WARNING: This article contains spoilers for ]

Many of these choices can lead to bonding with new allies, defusing situations to avoid conflict, or romancing characters across the game's open world. However, the most important choices players have to make in come down to whether they side with either the Anti-Shogunate or Pro-Shogunate factions inhabiting Japan during the civil conflict at this time. Choosing to work with each side unlocks various items, quests, and can better build bonds with specific characters.

is based on a real historical conflict, taking place during the Bakumatsu period during the final years of the 300-year-long Edo era in Japan.

The real arrival of Commodore Matthew Perry — who players can unlock as an ally — and the Black Ships in 1853 marked a turning point in Japan's generally isolationist approach. Perry demanded that Japan's shogunate agree to 1854's Treaty of Kanagawa and 1858's Harris Treaty, which opened select ports to American ships, first for fuel and provisions and then for trade, with an intent to open Japan up to the world.

As its name would suggest, 's Pro-Shogunate faction are supporters of the Shogun, Yoshinobu Tokugawa, and seeks to maintain his rule above that of the Imperial Court and the Emperor, protecting the shogunate from external pressures and internal threats to uphold the existing political order. To do so, the Chief Minister of the Shogunate, Naosuke Ii employed spies, ninjas, geisha, and various paramilitary