Developer: Sucker Punch Productions
Platforms: PS4, PS5 (Reviewed)
Genre: Action, Adventure
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
The setting of the 13th century of the feudal era in Japan is brought to stunning realism with the Ghost of Tsushima. Jin Sakai, the samurai warrior who battles the horde of Mongol invaders led by Khotun Khan. Tsushima island is your homeland that is amid a bloody war. Jin and his clan must fight back to stop the invaders but at what cost?
Ghost of Tsushima was originally released on PS4 in July 2020. The director’s cut is the latest update in the original game. The game has the addition of a new island and some tweaks to the game.
The new island provides a whole separate story arc from the original game which is opened after Act 2, this doesn’t take too long to delve into the new island.
The PS5 has a boost in terms of graphics and performance improvements, it does look even better on the PS5. It has two modes both at dynamic 4K, resolution mode which maintains 60 FPS most of the time and performance mode which is locked at 60 FPS. The game does make some really good use of the dual sense which does increase the sense of realism of the game. Ghost even looks more stunning on the PS5.
This game captures the stunning sense of Japan from the sights, the sounds, the people, the rituals, and the beautiful scenery. From battles on the beach, traversing the wooded forests to the snow-capped mountains. Jin progresses through the game like the changing of seasons, the horrors of war, justice, duty all wrestle within you as you fight the Mongol invasion. The environment is ever-changing from sunny days where the impressive Japanese architecture is meticulously recreated. The vibrant colours of flowers and the transition to autumn fill the screen with tons of gold, yellow, red, and brown. Animals inhabit the world and are just as present as the inhabitants of Tsushima who are caught between the samurai and the Mongols. The open world of this amazing island is your playground, and you can roam as you please. On the PS5 it is all a bit more stunning and realistic, the feedback from the dual sense also heightens the experience.
Ghost of Tsushima draws heavily from open-world adventure games. The core mechanics involve you navigating this intriguing island. As Jin discovers more of the island you discover more about his past, his insights on life, and what makes the life of the samurai. Your playstyle will dictate how you approach missions and battles. The game has a fantastic combat and fighting system, it’s intuitive and simple but has a wide variety. Sword fights are a common occurrence with cinematics that enhance your immersion. The one-on-one combat is vivid and enthralling, you can feel every strike, the clash of swords, and the demise of an opponent in front of you. Very little mercy is shown through the game, vengeance underlies every action.
The cinematography adds to your immersion in the game, the voice acting (subs or dubs) is superb and adds another sense of realism. Visuals, colours, and architecture allow for a stunning backdrop to an amazing story that has many twists and turns. The music, sound effects, and the environment transport you to a bygone era of folklore. This game transports you to another place and time with such realism and stunning gameplay with a well-thought story that underpins everything. Ghost of Tsushima combines fantastic storytelling with amazing visuals and action. It’s a fantastic adventure game, a must buy. The improvements are minor and the integration of dual sense, they do improve the feel of the game. The additional new campaign mode does add some great new gaming content too.
Overall: 9/10
Enjoys more than the odd game, long time gamer, somewhat a technologist and everything else in between.
Also enjoys a good solid game of FIFA online. Currently PS4, XBOX 360 and STEAM.
