Spoilers for Ghost of Tsushima are ahead.
Ghost of Tsushima is the latest title from Sucker Punch, and it is set during the Mongol Invasion of Japan. At the center of the story of Jin Sakai, a samurai who goes on a quest to save his homeland and rescue his uncle. The game has been a success for the studio, and it has left fans wanting more.
Future Ghost of Tsushima titles should learn a thing or two from the first game’s ending, which takes into account player choices. There should be more of these moments in any sequel, as it keeps things exciting and ensures that gameplay feels more impactful.
Best Games To Play If You Love Ghost Of Tsushima
After finishing Ghost of Tsushima, players craving a similar experience can try out a few of these games that share comparable attributes.
Ghost of Tsushima’s Multiple Endings
To understand the Ghost of Tsushima’s multiple endings, dissecting the relationship between Lord Shimura and Jin Sakai, his nephew, is necessary. Lord Shimura is a staunch believer in tradition, and he follows the samurai code of honor which serves him well until the Mongol invasion of Tsushima Island.
Khotun Khan and his Mongol warriors have been studying the inhabitants of Tsushima Island for a long time and have learned their traditions and code of honor. Consequently, they are able to use this knowledge against the samurai of Tsushima Island. Following the battle on Komoda Beach, Shimura is held captive by the Mongols and housed in Castle Kaneda.
Jin, who is raised by Lord Shimura, also learns the samurai code of honor and grows to revere it. Sensing that the methods of combat he has been taught will be insufficient to stop the Mongol invasion, Jin develops a new way to strike. He becomes the “Ghost” who attacks from the shadows and uses trickery to get the best of his enemies. This goes against the samurai code of honor which insists combatants face each other head-on.
The Showdown Between Jin Sakai and Lord Shimura
Jin Sakai and his allies eventually rescue Lord Shimura from Castle Kaneda, but not all is well. Lord Shimura is shocked at the tactics Jin has used in the war, but Jin is unrepentant because he believes he has prevented the death of many samurai. The two refuse to see eye to eye, causing a rift in their relationship.
Later, while taking a walk together, Lord Shimura reveals he has been sent by the shogun to execute Jin for his actions in the war. It’s a bitter moment when the two draw their swords and prepare for the final duel. The battle is a tough one, but Jin emerges victorious.
Defeated, Lord Shimura insists that Jin finish him off so he can die an honorable death. Players then have the choice to kill Lord Shimura or spare his life. If players choose to save Jin’s uncle, peasants refer to the Ghost as a true hero, and if players kill him, they discover that Clan Oga claims the Mongols have killed him.
Future Ghost of Tsushima Titles Should Experiment With Player Choices
Ghost of Tsushima is a mostly linear game in an open-world setting. Though activities can mostly be completed in whatever order players wish, the story is mostly fixed. However, there are a few moments sprinkled in where players have some choices to make. This includes dialog options that determine the flow of a conversation.
A Ghost of Tsushima sequel should include more of these moments throughout the game, and they should be more consequential. For example, players who embrace the Ghost and choose to turn their back on tradition should experience different events than players who attempt to follow the samurai code of honor.
Giving players freedom of choice is valuable to the gameplay experience. It gives players a feeling of agency, and it increases a game’s replayability. Ghost of Tsushima is an ideal title for including player choices, as the central story involves the protagonist choosing between two paths in life - that of the Ghost and the samurai.
Ghost of Tsushima 2 has yet to be confirmed, but Sucker Punch has not neglected the IP. This year, a PC port of the game was released, and fans can look forward to the upcoming movie adaptation. It appears that players haven’t seen the last of Jin Sakai as the Ghost.
Ghost of Tsushima Director's Cut
- Released
- August 20, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
In the late 13th century, the Mongol empire has laid waste to entire nations along their campaign to conquer the East. Tsushima Island is all that stands between mainland Japan and a massive Mongol invasion fleet led by the ruthless and cunning general, Khotun Khan.
As the island burns in the wake of the first wave of the Mongol assault, courageous samurai warrior Jin Sakai stands resolute. As one of the last surviving members of his clan, Jin is resolved to do whatever it takes, at any cost, to protect his people and reclaim his home. He must set aside the traditions that have shaped him as a warrior to forge a new path, the path of the Ghost, and wage an unconventional war for the freedom of Tsushima.
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language, Partial Nudity
- Developer(s)
- Sucker Punch
- Publisher(s)
- Sony Interactive Entertainment
- Genre(s)
- Action-Adventure, Open-World
- How Long To Beat
- 30 Hours
- Metascore
- 87
- PS Plus Availability
- Extra & Premium
