Rise of the Ronin: Kill or spare Gonzo? Rise of the Ronin guide, tips

There is an important choice associated with the bandit leader Gonzo from the game Rise of the Ronin. This page of the guide explains whether it's worth killing Gonzo and the consequences of giving the man life.

Last update: 28 March 2024

Should Gonzo be let free even despite his offenses in Act 1 of Rise of the Ronin? On this page of our guide, we discuss possible consequences of an important choice from Curtain Falls, Curtain Raises story quest from Act 1. You'll learn the exact moment of the choice and what possible effect leaving Gonzo alive may have.

• Confrontation with Gonzo
• Moment of important choice
• Further encounters and establishing a relationship with Gonzo

Confrontation with Gonzo

1. Gonzo is a Yokohama bandit chieftain who is one of the bosses encountered in the initial phase of Act 1. The battle takes place during Curtain Falls, Curtain Rises story mission, where the hero, accompanied by Eccentric Ronin (Ryoma), infiltrates a ruined mansion which is a bandit hideout.
2. Gonzo is found in an arena near the viewpoint, and approaching him starts the encounter - we describe the battle in detail in Bosses chapter of our guide.

Moment of important choice

The moment of the decision appears after winning the battle against Gonzo - the chieftain asks you to spare him, telling you about a warehouse that is used by the bandits to store valuable items. Additionally, you'll receive a key to the said warehouse. You can:

1. Kill Gonzo - the bandit leader will be killed for good.
2. Save Gonzo - the hero will let Gonzo go and this will result in you meeting him again later in the game.

Further encounters and establishing a relationship with Gonzo

1. The decision regarding Gonzo does not affect any major aspects of the main plot. The is no risk of Gonzo appearing in any of the next story missions and affecting their outcome.
2. You will meet Gonzo again during the course of The Bad Bunch quest. This is a Bond mission that is added automatically to your journal during your stay in Yokohama (Act 1).

For the purpose of the quest, you need to go to Yoshida-Shinden and meet with a suspicious man. He will tell you about a local troublemaker and point you to his location. Once you get there, you'll meet Gonzo again. Before you is a second choice involving Gonzo:

1. Kill Gonzo - the mission will be completed according to the quest giver's wishes and Gonzo won't appear again in the game.
2. Help Gonzo - this will result in a situation where the duo has to defeat a group of 5 enemies.

1. If you decided to keep Gonzo alive, a Bond will be unlocked. From this moment on, you can improve your relations with Gonzo, meet with him in the longhouse, and give him gifts.

1. Gonzo can also be chosen for larger missions as one of 2 allies that can accompany the hero in them. His presence gives a boost to Strength and allows finding more coins at the bodies of defeated enemies.