Title: Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut
Developer: Sucker Punch Productions
Genre: RPG, Action/Adventure
Released: 2021
Rating: 10/10
The Mongols have invaded your homeland. They don’t care about preserving your sacred shrines or treating others with dignity and respect. Their fighting style has no honor and they’re using your honor against you. So what will a lone samurai have to become to turn the tide? Welcome to Ghost of Tsushima.
Pros
Character Development
Ghost of Tsushima did a tremendous job creating morally grey characters. No one is perfect and there’s a relatable inner conflict that each one is battling. This can especially be said of the main character, Jin, who goes through a personal journey to find inner peace and forge his own path forward.
Strategy Variety
What will be your fighting style and strategy when taking on the Mongols? Do you prefer stealthy tactics or a stand-off approach? Will you prioritize your offensive ability or your defensive stats? There are plenty of options to choose from. I personally preferred the Kensei armor because I loved to fight with the ghost weapons. But each situation required me to consider which armor, charms, and overall strategy would be best for that particular battle.
Truly Open World
One of my favorite parts of the game was just exploring the world. Running into random Mongols… finding shrines… following foxes… There are very few times where you are railroaded into completing a quest. The world is truly your oyster in Ghost of Tsushima.
Moral of the Story
Like I mentioned earlier, Jin’s journey to inner peace and self-acceptance is inspiring and cathartic. The Iki Island addition and Jin’s evolving relationship with his uncle were especially impactful.
Cons
No Romance
This is a light complaint… but I wish that Ghost of Tsushima had a romance element. Without including spoilers, there is a clear opportunity for Jin to have a romantic relationship with one of the main characters and it isn’t an available option to pursue.
Overall…
Ghost of Tsushima is truly one of the best games I’ve ever played. If you like open-world games that allow for pure exploration and quest guidance, this is for you. If you like real-time fighting where your strategy has to change with each enemy, this is for you. If you like collector-focused rewards, this is for you. I am very excited for the sequel’s upcoming release of Ghost of Yotei.
Caroline’s Library 