Ghost of Tsushima - 4 Years Later
405,765
Published 2024-01-10
Edited by Playstayshaun
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If you were familiar with Sucker Punch before 2020, then you knew them for making games about a silly raccoon that pulled off grand heists, and then for making games about a bald guy who controls electricity, but given the visuals of their previous entries steeped in fanciful worlds, nobody could have predicted that THIS would be the next entry in Sucker Punch’s portfolio. Ghost of Tsushima is the story of Jin Sakai, one of the only samurai to survive the massacre of Komoda beach during the Mongol invasion of Tsushima in 1274. In order to push back the Mongols and have any chance of saving his home, Jin must sacrifice his honour for the island and shed his former life, moving forward as the ghost of a samurai who died on Komoda beach. Ghost of Tsushima is at times otherworldly, yet maintains a realistic foundation, though not in the traditional sense. When we think about realism, we typically imagine the dirt. Grime and grunge was at the forefront of 7th generation `realism”, perhaps because we associate realism with the things we don’t want to talk about. An idyllic world is a bright one. Simple, clean, sterilised, tranquil. It’s a world many are not familiar with, so we’re forced to identify realism with the former, uglier reality. Serenity is not synonymous with dirt, rain, or bloodshed, and yet, Ghost of Tsushima is one of the most peaceful games I have ever played. For every sliced throat is a luscious reed flowing in your fathers guidance, and for every dishonourable takedown is a spirits anger, manifesting in a thunderstorm. Every peaceful spirit, balanced by a vengeful spectre. SuckerPunch, previously known for their excellence in realism, have created a game that, despite being more lifelike, is the antithesis of their last decade of effort.
Yet, Ghost of Tsushima is much more than a constant stream of potential wallpapers. It’s gameplay whether an original idea or one borrowed and refined from others is executed well, and the stories told throughout Tsushima strike a balance that allows them to deconstruct legends without invalidating them, and challenge a characters' morals with hopes of redeeming them. Tsushima is a game and a land unlike any other, and its success is much the same. After 3 years, a Playstation 5 remaster, and a free content update, there is plenty to discuss regarding this game. Feelings on both sides present the idea that this game is either THE Samurai game, or exceptionally ordinary. Sandwiched between plenty of other games that took the world by storm, talking about the game now that the storm has passed could expose its true beauty, or a more hideous hindsight. Ghost of Tsushima has an army of fans, but its clan of critics, while a minority, is far too vocal to ignore. For every review calling Ghost of Tsushima a masterpiece there is one calling it mediocre, preaching that they just don’t get it, primarily concerning the gameplay.
Tsushima may not offer the most original stories, as like its inspirations it aims to deconstruct the samurai code, and parade its hypocrisies, but it offers something far more unique to the video game medium…peace. Many games these days, while being cinematic, are doing so at the players' detriment. You’ll never want to be more than a single stroke away from satisfying a feedback loop, even if that means bunny hopping across a map, souring immersion.
Ghost of Tsuhsima is one of the most special games I have ever played. Ghost of Tsuhsima - 4 Years Later is attempt to make a Ghost of Tsushima critique, Ghost of Tsushima analysis, and perhaps a Ghost of Tsushima review, if a bit longwinded. The Ghost of Tsushima ending will be spoiled as this functions like a Ghost of Tsushima walkthrough. All footage of this was gathered on the Ghost of Tsushima Directors Cut or Ghost of Tsushima PS5. The Ghost of Tsushima DLC, like Ghost of Tsushima Legends and the Ghost of Tsushima Iki Island expansion, will be covered here too. I hope we get a Ghost of Tsushima PC port, but for now the PS5 Ghost of Tsushima gameplay will suffice for this Ghost of Tsushima retrospective.
- Chapter -
Introduction: 0:00
Chp. 1: Tsushima: 4:46
Chp. 2: Ghosts & Samurai: 18:56
Chp. 3: Tales and Tribulations: 35:26
Chp. 4: Jin's Journey: 58:58
Chp. 5: Legends: 1:24:55
Chp. 6: Iki Island: 1:36:51
Chp. 7: Reflection: 1:50:12
All Comments (21)
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This was by far the hardest video I've worked on and one of my most personal. Your feedback is greatly appreciated, as is the support of the channels YouTube and Patreon members. If you want to support the channel, you may do so through the links in the description.
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I never saw Jin as a hypocrite I saw him as a man being forced to do things he never wanted to so why would he want his former friends to fall down the same path. Of course he would tell everyone around him to stay on the honorable path because look at how painful dishonor has been for him
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I love the video, but felt pretty differently about the combat. I personally never had many problems with enemy targeting but that may well be up to personal preference. I found the combat to be very difficult and extremely engaging in the higher difficulties. The complexity of light and heavy attacks, charged guard breaking attacks, different combos and the different stances all come together to make my favorite sword based melee combat in a video game ever. I loved just being in a battle or boss fight. It feels like a dance, you are constantly matching and reacting to every movement of your enemy.
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I was infatuated with this game when it came out. Even swiping the touch pad to flick the blood off Jin’s katana to sheathe it after every fight had me captivated. I especially liked the hardest difficulty where one strike was enough to end you and the opponent for the most part
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For me, Ghost of Tsushima came at the right time during the covid lockdowns, even a week before my birthday. Highschool just closed for a week we thought that it was going to be the best time ever, then it became 2 weeks, then 3, then a month and more. I was stuck in my dark room doing online classes, my family all quarter themselves off because we were falling ill one by one. Playing the game and just experiancing the nature, the colors and sort of comforted me during it. It felt magical, spiritual even as I was raised buddhist and having those motifs or themes in the game connected with me. Jin's struggles have held my hand in my way with my own struggles. I haven't gotten that feeling in a while until I passed by yellowstone national park. Just the sense of beauty of reflecting and nature was a feeling that can only be achieved by being there. In my mind as I passed by springs, animals, and mountains as the Tsushima soundtrack just played in my head. Now I'm making samurai armor and love to go on nature walks, and I thank Tsushima for introducing me to that.
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Legit my only problem with G.O.T is that you cant use the sword on his back with Jin's ghost armor that really grinds my gears.
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Thank you for giving Yuriko’s tale the weight it deserves. Two of my grandparents have suffered from dementia before they passed, so I almost immediately noticed the signs in Yuriko. It’s the only side quest in a game to have ever made me cry. It was so well made and absolutely beautiful Also, thank you for featuring my comment from the Legends comment section. It was not necessary at all, but I really appreciate it. Thanks for the shoutout!
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Throughout the game, Jin's primary motivation is doing whatever he has to to help the people of Tsushima. When it came down to the final choice, i made the decision that i thought would be best for Tsushima: to spare Lord Shimura. He definitely has flaws as a military leader, but he was a good lord when it came to peacetime life, and the people of Tushima need that. And if The Ghost kills the shogun's appointed lord of Tsushima, then who might he send next? Someone to crack down on The Ghost and all he represents? With Shimura still in charge, they could have the understanding that peace has been achieved, the ghost will fade away, and the civilians will prosper. at least, that was my thinking. but i didn't care much about the honor code, i only cared about saving civilian lives
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The combat in this game was so satisfying. Would love to see a sequel at some point.
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Man i remember seeing the trailer in lockdown and replaying that trailer everyday(my cousin who i saw after a long time in 2020 also saw the trailer and we were both obsessed). I was so blown away by the graphics and how fast the fast travel. The combat too is just so satisfying. Plus when i saw that this game was coming out on my birthday (along with Paper Mario the origami king, whic i love btw) i knew i had to play. All my friends and family gathered around the TV and man we were all mesmerized by the graphics and the world, we even passed the controller just to run around and the free roam. We all collectively said this game is gorgeous during the opening as you ride your horse in the field and the logo popped up. This game definitely holds a special place in my heart and I'm currently trying to get the platinum on it too (might get the directors cut even) and i can't wait for the sequel. Sucker Punch should definitely be applauded for this amazing game and it's definitely my game of the year in 2020. For Tsushima, Jin and the gang. FOR THE GHOST!!! I legitimately can't wait for what they can do for the sequel and the features of the PS5.
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If i remember correctly, the controller will pulse like a heartbeat if you decide to kill Shimura, and the pulse will slowly fade. I chose to spare him my first run, and i prefer that ending better but damn... feeling Shimura's heartbeat fade out as you stab him broke me.
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You are a consistent gem. Never believe you’re making content similar to anyone else. Your effort does not go unnoticed!
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This game was a masterpiece, a true love letter to the samurai genre and stands as a solid choice in any game library. Fantastic video, love the content and the level of detail you went into. Can't imagine how much work went into this video.
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Just watched Blue Eye Samurai on Netflix, and had to go back and play through the game again. It complimented the feelings the show gave me perfectly!
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This is to me the best "ubisoft style" game ever made, and it's not even close. What I would call it above everything else is cohesive; the main quest sets a context and tone for the setting which is then taken advantage of by every sidequest and activity. These sidequests are somber, are about war survivors and the tragedy of people who lose their loved ones or need to compromise their morals just as Jin has and is, and this makes it so when you take time out of the main story to do them it never feels out of place or like a break from that story. Perhaps the most genius move in the game was to block your progression, stopping you from exploring certain sections of the island until you complete certain main quest events. This let the story take center stage, and again helped cohesion because your progress and freedom as a player was directly tied to Jin's progress and freedom as he leads a counterattack against the invading Mongols. More games of this type need to examine this approach and integrate its lessons.
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My experience before Lethal Mode: "This is alright, combat gets a little stale by the end of the game when I can just turn my brain off" After Lethal Mode: "This is one of the best Action Adventure experiences I have ever had."
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I'm happy for your thoughtful interpretation of Shimura which a lot of people overlook. I really think Shimura was being too soft with Jin from the end of Act 1 onwards because he wasn't looking at the outward actions of Jin, but Jin's inner state. He wanted Jin not to "lose himself" to hatred and darkness, but unfortunately things happen later which force Shimura to confront Jin's literal actions. Clan Oga was forcing Shimura into an "in-person" exam of his competence, and he basically got exposed as not being the best at fighting the Mongols while relying on Jin to do the real stuff. That's the subtext I think was actually going on with Shimura, that he wanted to have his cake and eat it too: to save Tsushima but also keep the samurai reputation intact. Jin undermines all that, and well, that leads to Shimura having an existential meltdown by the end of the game. He can't fathom the samurai actually failing, that it must all be his fault, so the best thing to do is just redeem himself with death at Jin's hands.
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man this is one of the most comfortable vidoe i have watched in my time on youtube simply outstanding and well made with sincirty. you sir deserve all the praise you can get for making a video of such kwalitie.
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Thank you so much for all your effort. This video was definitely worth the wait for me. I wish you good luck on future endeavours.
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i finally tried the game after 4 years and man did i miss out... i played the main game, dlc and online mode (and got every single trophy for it too, wich i definently do not do for all games i play) and all i can say is that i just want more... this is the best game and game story i have played in years (the ending deadass made me cry...)
