Summary

  • Ghost of Tsushima 2 could explore Jin's internal turmoil with his honor, the fate of Lord Shimamura, and Jin's exile at the hands of the Shogunate.
  • The sequel has the potential to delve into the second Mongol invasion and the Kamakura earthquake, providing new settings and plot points.
  • There are also possibilities for the franchise to explore other historical periods, such as the Sengoku period or the Edo period, while continuing to explore themes of honor and moral compromise.

Ghost of Tsushima told the story of Jin Sakai, a noble samurai who must compromise his moral code in order to protect his homeland and those he loves. Rather than fighting with honor and following the Bushido Code, Jin must learn to become a ghost by using stealth, trickery, and deception to outmaneuver the invading Mongols. While Ghost of Tsushima neatly wrapped up its story, there is still plenty of room left for Sucker Punch to explore the ideas behind the original game. The original game's ending leaves a pretty obvious path for the heavily rumored Ghost of Tsushima 2.

Ghost of Tsushima is a historical drama, heavily inspired by the films of Akira Kurosawa and other titans of the Samurai cinema movement. The game runs a fine line between fantasy and historical accuracy. This approach works well for the game, and given other recent events, it seems like there are two potential paths for the sequel. Assuming that the sequel also follows Jin around the time of the end of the 1200s, it must address the following story threads from the first title:

  • Jin's internal turmoil with his Honor
  • The fate of Lord Shimamura
  • Jin's exile at the hands of the Shogunate
    Ghost of Tsushima Forest
    The Argument for More Historical Action RPGs like Ghost of Tsushima

    Ghost of Tsushima remains as one of the most exciting new IPs in contemporary gaming, and more titles should follow in its footsteps.

    A Ghost of Tsushima Sequel Has Plenty for Jin to Explore

    Jin Sakai
    Between the second Mongol invasion, which took place seven years after the first game was set, and the Kamakura earthquake of 1293, there is plenty that the next Ghost of Tsushima game could delve into. The second Mongol invasion makes the most sense. At the end of Ghost of Tsushima, the Shogunate began hunting for Jin. His escape to mainland Japan or another island would make sense and let the next game explore a new setting. Given that the second invasion came to the mainland of Japan as well as Tsushima, it would make sense for the game to use the second invasion as an excuse to explore the rest of the country.

    The Heizen Gate Incident Could be an Unexpected Topic for Ghost of Tsushima 2

    While the second Mongol invasion is the most obvious choice, the Kamakura earthquake of 1293 and the Heizen Gate incident could also be a strong plot point for the game. A few years after the second Mongol invasion, Japan was struck by an earthquake that killed over 20,000 people. During the commotion, the Shogunate staged a coup and killed approximately 90 subordinates in an attempt to squash political dissidence. Given the fact that the Shogunate is hunting Jin, the story could see him using his skills as the ghost to try and clear his name during this time of political turmoil while aiding those affected by the earthquake.

    Ghost of Tsushima Could Take on Other Historical Periods

    Ghost of Tsushima Standing looking at the sunset
    While it seems unlikely that Sucker Punch would leave Jin Sakai behind, if it did, there are plenty of other historical periods that a Ghost of Tsushima sequel could explore. Rather than following Jin, a sequel set in the future could follow a student of his or someone who studied his ways. This would allow Sucker Punch to explore the Sengoku period in the 1400s or even the Edo period of the 1600s. The Sengoku period saw constant political turmoil spanning a large part of two centuries, while the Edo period saw the rise of the city that would eventually become the capital, Tokyo.

    Ghost of Tsushima 2 Will Have Familiar Themes

    However Sucker Punch decides to proceed with the Ghost of Tsushima franchise, it will likely continue to explore the themes of the first game. Jin is a hero who compromises his moral compass, and while the game has a conclusion, Jin's relationship with himself as the ghost remains tumultuous. If Jin has decided to fully forsake his samurai code of honor, his development of a new one could also be the topic of a new game. It is also a given that the sequel will be another immersive historical open-world game, letting players explore a detailed depiction of one of Japan's regions.
    Rating block community and brand ratings Image
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    9 /10

    Ghost of Tsushima
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    Action
    Adventure
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    Systems
    PC-1 PlayStation-1
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    Top Critic Avg: 84 /100 Critics Rec: 88%
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    Released
    July 17, 2020
    ESRB
    M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language, Partial Nudity
    Developer(s)
    Sucker Punch
    Publisher(s)
    Sony
    Engine
    Proprietary
    Multiplayer
    Online Multiplayer
    Cross-Platform Play
    PC, PS4 & PS5
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    WHERE TO PLAY

    SUBSCRIPTION
    DIGITAL
    PHYSICAL
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    Number of Players
    2-4
    Genre(s)
    Action, Adventure
    How Long To Beat
    25 Hours
    Metascore
    83
    PS Plus Availability
    Extra & Premium