As compared to the base game, this expansion just misses a step for me, but it is still really great and if you like the base game then it is worth giving this the time. It is a quick playthrough with some interesting aspects to it.
The combat itself is still very compelling, with the minor additions doing more to detract than bolster it.
The basics are a new enemy type that buffs all the enemies in an encounter. They are super weak, so it effectively just means you kill them first, which mixes things up only slightly and isn't that compelling. Another minor addition is that enemies now swap stances, forcing you to swap to effectively combat them. I found the stances to be the least interesting part of Ghost of Tsushima's combat and bringing more attention to them doesn't do the game any favors. It is even more apparent that the actual differences between the stances are pretty unnoticeable and entering the correct stance doesn't have enough obvious benefit to really work as a mechanic I care about.
An additional non-combat mechanic of a grappling hook doesn't add a ton of new gameplay -- just some new movement challenges/interactions that are just lock/key for the most part. I would have liked if there was more opportunity for the grappling hook to switch up how I approached areas or dealt with enemies during combat.
Environments are incredibly beautiful, just like in the base game, this is the most visually compelling open world game I have played.
The new archery challenges were satisfying and fun and I like that they gave me a reward that enabled me to complete them all, it was a quick, fun diversion.
The animal sanctuaries were less impressive. Though narratively interesting (they flesh out a bit about Jin's mother), the presentation and gameplay just feels fairly janky and unsatisfying.
The narrative here is a high point. Iki Island is a place harmed by the Samurai of Tsushima in much the same way the Mongols are invading in the base game. It is cool to see Jin dealing with his memories of this place and his father, how his father died here, and what he owes or doesn't owe to these people. I liked seeing Jin struggle with this, though the mind-altering poison conceit felt unnecessary and ineffective to me.
There are a couple of cool side quests that feed directly into this narrative as well. One that stood out for me has Jin recovering his father's horse armor as he does for legendary heroes/villains in the main game. It has taken on a mythical and demonic status with the people of the island, which is a great lens through which to see all of these quests you have already completed. You know both sides and it is clear that it isn't quite as simple as Sakai being either a hero or a villain.
This is a great expansion. Worth giving a try if you enjoyed the main game!
The combat itself is still very compelling, with the minor additions doing more to detract than bolster it.
The basics are a new enemy type that buffs all the enemies in an encounter. They are super weak, so it effectively just means you kill them first, which mixes things up only slightly and isn't that compelling. Another minor addition is that enemies now swap stances, forcing you to swap to effectively combat them. I found the stances to be the least interesting part of Ghost of Tsushima's combat and bringing more attention to them doesn't do the game any favors. It is even more apparent that the actual differences between the stances are pretty unnoticeable and entering the correct stance doesn't have enough obvious benefit to really work as a mechanic I care about.
An additional non-combat mechanic of a grappling hook doesn't add a ton of new gameplay -- just some new movement challenges/interactions that are just lock/key for the most part. I would have liked if there was more opportunity for the grappling hook to switch up how I approached areas or dealt with enemies during combat.
Environments are incredibly beautiful, just like in the base game, this is the most visually compelling open world game I have played.
The new archery challenges were satisfying and fun and I like that they gave me a reward that enabled me to complete them all, it was a quick, fun diversion.
The animal sanctuaries were less impressive. Though narratively interesting (they flesh out a bit about Jin's mother), the presentation and gameplay just feels fairly janky and unsatisfying.
The narrative here is a high point. Iki Island is a place harmed by the Samurai of Tsushima in much the same way the Mongols are invading in the base game. It is cool to see Jin dealing with his memories of this place and his father, how his father died here, and what he owes or doesn't owe to these people. I liked seeing Jin struggle with this, though the mind-altering poison conceit felt unnecessary and ineffective to me.
There are a couple of cool side quests that feed directly into this narrative as well. One that stood out for me has Jin recovering his father's horse armor as he does for legendary heroes/villains in the main game. It has taken on a mythical and demonic status with the people of the island, which is a great lens through which to see all of these quests you have already completed. You know both sides and it is clear that it isn't quite as simple as Sakai being either a hero or a villain.
This is a great expansion. Worth giving a try if you enjoyed the main game!