Team Ninja’s Rise of the Ronin is one of the most expansive RPGs of 2024. The game features a complex combat system, a detailed skill tree, important story choices, and bonds that can lead to romance, otherwise known as Veiled Vows. There are several ways to develop bonds with characters in Rise of the Ronin, including bringing them on missions, giving them gifts, and agreeing with them in conversation.

There are 13 characters in total to romance in Rise of the Ronin, from integral story characters like Ryoma Sakamoto to less consequential figures like Matthew Perry. Most romances can coexist with one another, but there are a few that will give you an ultimatum if you become involved with another character. It can be tricky to decide which Veiled Vow is best to pursue in Rise of the Ronin, but there are a few that are worth doing much more than others.

Matthew Perry Is A Bland & Uninteresting Romance

Matthew Perry being a love interest in Rise of the Ronin is a perfect example of what happens when developers choose quantity over quality. There is no discernible chemistry between Perry and the main character, and they never feel like anything more than work colleagues.

Besides this, you meet Perry by defeating him in the game’s first boss fight. This is a completely random addition which doesn’t serve the story or any of its characters at all. It would’ve been better to thoroughly develop a couple of love interests than make 13 characters available for a Veiled Vow. That said, Perry is one of the most accepting of all the romance options, and won’t care if you have another partner.

Ernest Satow Is A Lackluster Partner

High on the list of characters who do not deserve to be a romance option in Rise of the Ronin is Ernest Satow. He is, at best, a minor character in the overarching story, particularly if you side with the anti-shogunate faction. He’s obsessed with Japan and loves to collect items from the country, and he loves to show the off to you.

He’s also one of the more difficult boss fights in Rise of the Ronin, appearing in the Act 3 mission “The Last Shogun.” Satow flies around in the air leaving a blazing trail of fire in his wake, but there isn’t so much as a spark when the player tells him they have feelings for him. When you propose, he’ll proclaim how amazing the protagonist is, and how they saved him from the darkness—so maybe this is the guy for you if you want someone to wax poetic at you.

Genzui Kusaka Is A Platonic Romance

It is technically possible to romance, or forge a Veiled Vow with Genzui Kusaka, but it isn’t a romantic connection. Once he learns that the main character desires to be more than just comrades with him, his only response is that he’s willing to enter a bond of kinship. He makes it abundantly clear to both male and female characters that he is not interested in anything more than that.

However, it’s still nice to form a relationship with Genzui Kusaka, even if it’s one of just friendship. The trigger for this non-romance is easy to miss and happens fairly early in the game, so stay sharp if this is your dream companion. After you complete Genzui’s first mission, he’ll try to give you another. Before you accept it, speak about other things first to start the path toward becoming closer to the character.

Sana Chiba Has Eyes For The Player’s Friend

There is no reason for Sana Chiba to be a love interest in Rise of the Ronin. From the moment she’s first introduced, it’s obvious that she and one of the game’s main characters, Ryoma Sakamoto, have a complicated past. It would be one thing if this was an old fling from years ago, but it’s painstakingly clear she is still interested in Ryoma, who is the player’s best friend throughout the game.

Despite this, Sana is, in fact, one of the characters that you can romance in the game. You’ll have to raise her favor by completing the Bond missions “Turmoil of the Heart” and “A Tempest Calmed.” More importantly, you’ll actually have to travel back in time in Chapter 2 to start her Veiled Vow conversation.

Shinsaku Takasugi Is Taken Aback By Your Love Confession

There is no shortage of off-the-wall romances in Rise of the Ronin, and Shinsaku Takasugi is one of them. He is another character who is a great companion throughout the story—despite a few minor disagreements—but might not feel like a natural love interest. He has a difficult past, winning a battle against tuberculosis and losing his close friend.

Shinsaku is stunned to learn the player has feelings for him, saying “I knew you were hard to predict, but this is wild…” When he ultimately agrees to enter into a relationship with the main character, Shinsaku does warm up to your character. He’ll even spend his days playing the shamisen for you, which is a nice gesture.

The Ine Kusumoto Veiled Vow Comes Out Of Nowhere

Ine Kusumoto is a doctor, and her sharp personality and intellect can make a good match for players who value those traits. But the Ine romance in Rise of the Ronin is one of the more surprising options out of all the characters that allow for Veiled Vows.

Confessing love to her is so sudden and unnatural that even she is caught off guard, although she ultimately admits she shares those same feelings. Her immediate response is that, after all this time, she can’t bring herself to admit that she loves the main character back.

Usugumo Dayu Is More Passionate About Her Cats

Of all the romances available in Rise of the Ronin, Usugumo Dayu is far from the most compelling option. When players make a move on Usugumo, she remarks on how many other people have told her those words, but admits to feelings for the player as well. Upon seeing her later, after this confession, she says she had hoped to cross paths again.

She’s also a romantic sweet talker, who makes the player feel welcome every time you visit, and offers to let you see her dance. In order to gain her favor, you’ll also get to go around finding her cats, which is sweet but also pretty random. While she isn’t the most satisfying partner, it’s worth developing a relationship with Usugumo Dayu by finding her cats to unlock the Dayu Kimono, one of the best outfits in Rise of the Ronin.

Fumi Sugi Is Sweet But Feels Wrong

Fumi Sugi is a delightful character in Rise of the Ronin who has some clear chemistry with the main character. She’s a wholesome option who’s sweet to the player, but forming a Veiled Vow with her is complicated. She is the former wife of Genzui Kusaka, one of the allies in Rise of the Ronin who works with the player often.

Genzui eventually dies, leaving Fumi Sugi available for a romance. This isn’t a Sana Chiba situation where Fumi shouldn’t be an option as a love interest, but it still feels somewhat slimy to establish a relationship with Genzui’s widow so quickly after his death.

Soji Okita Longs To Make The Player Happy

Soji Okita is a young master who has been mentored by the legendary Isami Kondo since losing his parents when he was young. He isn’t prominently featured in Rise of the Ronin‘s main story, but can usually be found hanging around as a side character in several missions.

His response to the player’s admission of feelings is tender and sweet; he admits he’s new to this sort of thing and doesn’t know if he’d be a great partner, but is eager to try. He is also a skillful companion in combat and provides stat bonuses to Dexterity and Charm. Keep in mind that Soji is one of the characters who will not want you to have another partner, but given how good of a companion he is, you surely won’t want anyone else.

Kogoro Katsura’s Romance Is Anxious And Shy

As far as romance options in Rise of the Ronin, Kogoro Katsura isn’t the best, but he’s far from the worst. He is a great companion for missions throughout the main game, especially if the main character decides to side with him as an anti-shogunate faction member instead of siding with the shogunate.

He admits he’s shocked that the player is open about their feelings for him, but says he’s been thinking the same thing and has even been working out how to broach the subject himself. Many of his best moments feel more aligned with friendship than romantic companionship, but he’s still a solid option for a Veiled Vow.