Video Game Review: Ghost of Tsushima

 

I had heard about this game and I had read it was similar to games like Witcher and Assassin's Creed. The setting was Japan, so that was a plus for me. 

The story is set in Tsushima, which is a small Japanese island that made for a great map to play in. We follow Jin, a fallen samurai who is rescued and healed by a woman who needs his help rescuing her brother. A blacksmith who is being held prisoner by the Mongols.

All of the samurai fell during a battle with the Mongols, and Jin is the only one left. At first, Jin uses his sword, but soon he learns to assassinate, which isn't the samurai way. The game even tells you in the beginning that if you keep assassinating people, you are going against samurai code, but I couldn't see a way around this, so I kept doing it. Eventually your actions that go against samurai code have a cost, which I thought was a cool detail.

Most of the story is how you try to defeat the Mongols from taking over the island. You learn to throw smoke bombs and kunai. You learn to use the bow and arrow, and you hide in grass when going stealth. There's also a sixth sense that helps you see the bad guys, etc. 

There are a few side quests that let you into the lives of the secondary characters, your allies, which were fun to complete, and the main quest was intense with a wonderful ending that even made me cry. It was one of the toughest choices a video game ever had me make.

There are also things to do to help raise your resolve (stamina), life bar, get some new equipment, etc.

The map is big and a bit annoying to walk it to uncover it. You uncover part of it when you defeat a Mongol occupied territory, but some parts of it you just have to physically walk it to discover missing side quests.

You also get to play stand-offs with enemies, which are a new addition to the game play, and get a hook to climb certain places.

Over all a very complete game that is not that long with a good story, great visuals, and beautiful music.

There is also a DLC, which is a new island you can explore that has a short story and a few new things, but is basically an extension of the game. It's still worth it, but I suggest completing that after you're done with the main quest to get all the armor and weapon upgrades first.

Highly recommended!

Cheers!