- Core Choice: During the mission Hidden Motives, you must choose to deliver a recovered letter to either Taka Murayama or Kogoro Katsura.
- Taka Murayama: Represents the Pro-Shogunate (Sabaku) faction. Giving her the letter increases her bond and supports the Shogunate's interests.
- Kogoro Katsura: Represents the Anti-Shogunate (Tobaku) faction. Katsura reveals the letter is a fake, but the choice still strengthens your bond with him.
- Story Impact: While the letter is ultimately a decoy, this choice serves as an early indicator of your preferred faction alignment.
- Optimal Choice: Choose the character whose faction rewards or combat styles you wish to unlock first.
Hidden Motives Mission Overview
The mission Hidden Motives occurs early in the Yokohama arc of Rise of the Ronin. After infiltrating the Hodogaya Inn to retrieve a secret document, you are faced with a pivotal decision: deliver the letter to the mysterious geisha Taka Murayama or the revolutionary Kogoro Katsura. This choice is one of the first major opportunities to influence your standing with the two primary factions vying for control of Japan.
Video Highlights:
- The Fake Revelation: Katsura identifies the letter as a diversionary tactic used by the Shogunate.
- Faction Alignment: Delivering the letter to Katsura provides an early boost to Anti-Shogunate relations.
- Dialogue Outcomes: Observe the unique reactions from Katsura regarding the "missing" official seal.
| Mission Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Mission Name | Hidden Motives |
| Location | Yokohama / Hodogaya |
| Primary Objective | Retrieve the secret letter from the inn |
| Key Choice | Rise of the ronin give letter to taka or katsura |
| Recommended Level | Level 6 - 8 |
Before making your choice, ensure you have completed any available side activities in Yokohama to maximize the Bond experience gained from this mission.
Option 1: Giving the Letter to Taka Murayama
Choosing Taka Murayama aligns you with the Pro-Shogunate forces. Taka acts as an informant for the Shogunate, and providing her with the letter helps the established government maintain its grip on the region. This path is ideal for players who want to explore the Sabaku storyline or gain access to Taka's unique geisha-related bond rewards.
Pro-Shogunate Benefits
- Increased Taka Bond: Rapidly unlocks her personal story missions.
- Faction Standing: Improves reputation with Shogunate officials.
- Earlier Access: Faster route to Pro-Shogunate gear and styles.
Narrative Context
- Stability Focus: Supports the existing order in Yokohama.
- Mystery: Taka provides insights into the Shogunate's internal workings.
- Espionage: Emphasizes the Ronin's role as a shadow operative.
| Reward Type | Item / Effect |
|---|---|
| Bond Increase | Taka Murayama (Significant) |
| Faction XP | Pro-Shogunate (Sabaku) |
| Currency | Standard Mission Zen |
| Equipment | Random Pro-Shogunate themed gear |
Delivering the letter to Taka is the fastest way to unlock her Bond Level 2, which provides useful passive bonuses for social interactions in the city.
Option 2: Giving the Letter to Kogoro Katsura
Delivering the letter to Kogoro Katsura places you firmly in the camp of the Anti-Shogunate revolutionaries. Katsura is a key figure in the Tobaku movement, and his reaction to the letter provides crucial plot information. Upon receiving the document, Katsura quickly identifies it as a fake—a diversionary tactic used by the Shogunate to protect the real transport route.
The Discovery
Present the letter to Katsura at the designated safehouse. He notes the lack of an official seal.
The Revelation
Katsura explains that the letter was a decoy and the real one was seized by the Shogunate elsewhere.
The Bond
Despite the letter being useless, Katsura appreciates your effort and loyalty to the cause.
| Reward Type | Item / Effect |
|---|---|
| Bond Increase | Kogoro Katsura (Significant) |
| Faction XP | Anti-Shogunate (Tobaku) |
| Combat Style | Early progress toward Shinto Munen-ryu |
| Intel | Lore regarding the Shogunate's diversion tactics |
If you choose Katsura, you will miss the immediate Bond boost with Taka, though you can still improve her bond later through gifts and other missions.
Comparing the Consequences
The choice of rise of the ronin give letter to taka or katsura does not permanently lock you out of either faction. Rise of the Ronin allows for a degree of "double-agent" gameplay early on. However, your choice here dictates which character's Bond Level increases first, which impacts the gear and combat styles you can access in the early game.
| Feature | Give to Taka (Pro) | Give to Katsura (Anti) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Bond | Taka Murayama | Kogoro Katsura |
| Faction Gain | Pro-Shogunate | Anti-Shogunate |
| Plot Outcome | Letter used for intel | Letter revealed as fake |
| Gear Focus | Balanced/Stealth | Offensive/Traditional |
| Long-term Impact | Minor story shift | Minor story shift |
The Neutral Path
Players can balance both factions by alternating choices in future missions.
The Loyalist Path
Stick with one side to unlock high-tier faction rewards as quickly as possible.
The Reward Path
Check the Bond reward menu and choose based on the specific gear you want.
Regardless of your choice, the main story will proceed to the next major encounter. The "fake" nature of the letter remains a constant regardless of who receives it.
How to Complete Hidden Motives
To reach the point where you must decide rise of the ronin give letter to taka or katsura, you must first navigate the Hodogaya Inn. This section requires a mix of stealth and direct combat.
Mission Checklist:
Mission Objectives:
- Infiltrate the Hodogaya Inn without alerting all guards
- Defeat the mid-boss guarding the second floor
- Retrieve the secret letter from the locked chest
- Escape the inn and return to Yokohama
- Speak with either Taka or Katsura to finalize the choice
The enemies in the inn are susceptible to parries (Countersparks). Use the Odachi or Katana for high-impact counters against the Shogunate guards.
Conclusion & FAQ
In summary, the decision to give the letter to Taka or Katsura serves as your introduction to the faction system in Rise of the Ronin. While Katsura reveals the letter is a fake, giving it to him solidifies your relationship with the Anti-Shogunate movement. Giving it to Taka builds a bridge to the Pro-Shogunate forces and the geisha's personal network.
Q: Does giving the letter to Taka or Katsura lock me out of the other faction?
No, you can still work with both factions after this mission. The choice primarily affects immediate Bond levels and early faction reputation.
Q: Is there a 'best' choice for the letter in Rise of the Ronin?
The 'best' choice depends on your preferred playstyle. Give it to Katsura if you want Anti-Shogunate combat styles, or Taka if you prefer Pro-Shogunate social bonuses.
Q: What happens if I give the letter to Katsura and it's a fake?
Katsura will explain that the Shogunate used the letter as a decoy. You still get the Bond increase and mission rewards, despite the letter's lack of value.
Q: Can I change my faction alignment later?
Yes, Rise of the Ronin features a 'Testament of the Soul' system later in the game that allows you to replay missions and make different choices.