A stunningly crafted action-adventure title: Ghost of Tsushima

 

A stunningly crafted action-adventure title:

Ghost of Tsushima

Video game blog by Safwan Noor

Genre: Action-adventure, open-world

Modes: Single-player, Multiplayer

Developer: Sucker Punch Productions

Release date: July 17, 2020

Platform: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, PC

Online opinion metrics: Steam: 9/10, IMDb: 9.2/10, Metacritic: 83%

Synopsis

Ghost of Tsushima (pronounced as “sushima”) is a game set in 13th-century Japan during the Mongol invasion. You play as Jin Sakai, a samurai who evolves into the "Ghost" to combat the invaders. The game blends a vast open world with dynamic combat and stealth elements, allowing players to experience a rich narrative about honor, sacrifice, and adapting to new forms of warfare. With its striking visuals and engaging storytelling, the game immerses you in the struggle to protect Japan while challenging traditional samurai codes.

Key Personas

Jin Sakai: The protagonist

Jin Sakai is a samurai warrior and the main character. As the nephew of Lord Shimura, he was raised in the samurai tradition, valuing honor, discipline, and loyalty. However, when the Mongols invade Tsushima Island, Jin is forced to adopt unorthodox tactics, blending samurai skills with stealth and guerrilla warfare, ultimately becoming the "Ghost." His

internal conflict between his samurai upbringing and the necessity of dishonorable tactics is central to his character development.

Lord Shimura: Jin’s uncle and mentor

Lord Shimura is the ruler of Tsushima Island and a father figure to Jin. He is a traditional

samurai who strongly adheres to the samurai code of honor. His rigid views often conflict with Jin’s growing pragmatism in dealing with the Mongol invasion. Lord Shimura’s relationship with Jin is deeply complex, rooted in both love and duty, leading to one of the central emotional struggles of the story.

Khotun Khan: The main antagonist

Khotun Khan is a Mongol general and the primary villain. He is cunning, ruthless, and highly strategic, often using psychological manipulation and deceptive tactics to break his enemies’ spirits. Unlike typical antagonists, Khotun Khan is not driven purely by malice; instead, he views war as a pragmatic endeavor, and his calm, composed demeanor makes him a formidable opponent.

Yuna: A Thief turned ally

Yuna is a skilled thief and one of Jin's earliest allies in the fight against the Mongols. She saves Jin’s life after his defeat at the hands of Khotun Khan and introduces him to more covert, “dishonorable” methods of combat. Yuna’s past as a survivor of hardships gives her a pragmatic worldview, and her influence plays a significant role in Jin’s transformation into the Ghost. Her relationship with her brother, Taka, adds emotional depth to her character.

Taka: Yuna’s brother and blacksmith

Taka is Yuna’s younger brother and a talented blacksmith. Though not a fighter, he contributes to the resistance by crafting weapons and tools for Jin and the other rebels. Taka’s journey is marked by his desire to prove himself despite not being a warrior, and his bond with Yuna showcases the theme of familial loyalty in the face of adversity.

Ryuzo: Former friend turned adversary

Ryuzo is the leader of the Straw Hat Ronin and a former friend of Jin Sakai. Initially, he sides with Jin in the fight against the Mongols, but his desperation and need for resources lead him to betray Jin and join Khotun Khan. Ryuzo’s arc is a tragic exploration of loyalty, survival, and the impact of war on personal relationships.

The Standouts

Wow, from where do I even begin?

Storyline

Well, let's start with the game’s wonderful story. The game illustrates Jin’s mission to eradicate the devastating Mongol invasion in a well-structured plot. Each chapter of the story is perfectly organized and transitions smoothly from the previous chapter to the next, none of the chapters ever felt too long, short, or boring. The characters are introduced nicely with proper contexts of their existence in the story, and the dialogues felt very natural with added emotions and a sense of humor. The directors has definitely put extra effort into ensuring that the story has a top-notch movie vibe to it. Moreover, some parts of the story even allow the player to choose certain dialogues and events, adding a unique personalization touch to the saga. Therefore, all these discussed elements put the storyline of Ghost of Tsushima in a unique class of its own.

Environment

What's even more lovely about this game is its setting. Putting the amazing story aside, this game's environment and almost real graphics are mesmerizing. As you travel from one place to another to accomplish the objectives, you experience the beautiful presentation of Tsushima Island. The developers have ensured that every visual aspect of the game is pleasing and appealing to your sight, from the lush forests, serene beaches, and towering mountains, to the game's dynamic weather system which creates breathtaking misty mornings and golden sunsets, it’s truly a marvel of visual engineering.

Words and pictures are insufficient to explain the artwork of this game, so I will drop this video right here for you all to check out. However, the best way to experience it is definitely, to play the game.

Embracement of Japanese culture

Throughout the game, you will come across various references linked to Japanese ethics and culture. For instance, landmarks such as Torii Gates, temples, multiple spiritual sites and shrines are common. Moreover, you will notice the characters are equipped with traditional samurai armor and katanas with authentic detailed designs. The game also features a unique cinematic presentation called “Kurosawa mode”, named in honor of the renowned filmmaker Akira Kurosawa, this mode showcases the game in black and white with a film grain effect, paying tribute to classic samurai cinema. All this, and more, helps the game beautifully capture the essence of feudal Japan.

The least admired

It feels weird to talk about the downsides of something that I kept praising on. However, nothing in life is flawless. 

Story can get predictable

Often, parts of the story such as Jin’s method of recruiting allies become repetitive and predictable.

Repetitive combat

While initially engaging, combat mechanics, especially stealth and assassination, become repetitive and less rewarding over time.

Minor Bugs

Occasional technical glitches, like guiding birds flying into walls, are often noticeable.

Closure

Well, having all these aspects explored, it is safe to say that Ghost of Tsushima is definitely one of the best games I have played so far. The sheer beauty and elegance of this game far surpass its shortcomings, and I highly recommend it to the gamers out there, assuming you have a PlayStation or a capable PC.

Acknowledgments

Game Credits:

• Developer: Sucker Punch Productions

• Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment

• Director: Nate Fox, Jason Connell

• Producer: Brian Fleming

• Writer: Nate Fox, Patrick Downs, Jordan Lemos

• Art Director: Jason Connell

• Composer: Ilan Eshkeri, Shigeru Umebayashi

• Lead Actors: Daisuke Tsuji (Jin Sakai), Eric Steinberg (Lord Shimura), Patrick Gallagher (Khotun Khan)

Photo credits: All images featured in this blog were personally captured for this review.

Video credits:

• DefendTheHouse. (2020, July 30). [4K] The Beauty of Ghost of Tsushima (Graphics Showcase). YouTube. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=my62R7QUf00

Behind the words

Safwan Noor

Tech and Video game enthusiast. Give me some free time and I ll ensure that every second of

it is spent on gaming.

Studying Computer Science at BRAC University