Yeah, this is officially an all-time favourite of mine now.
Normally I don't gel with the Ubisoft-esque open world design, but the way Ghost of Tsushima carries itself makes it feel like a wholly unique experience. Sucker Punch took that formula and made it feel fresh. Yes, it's a large map full of activities that can feel somewhat repetitive, but the traversal and combat are always so completely satisfying that it becomes hard for me to put the controller down.
Usually I can't stand combat-focused games (I have yet to find a FromSoft or DMC game I enjoy) but the swordplay here is exceptional; easy to pick up but challenging to master. I never once got tired of fighting off Mongols, and while most quests will lead you into similar combat encounters, it all feeds into the central goal of the game. You are driving the Mongols off your island and nearly everything you do is working towards that goal. The minimal UI also means I'm not staring at a tiny little HUD map to know where I'm going for the entirety of the game (coughcoughThe Witcher 3coughcough). Simply following the wind and the birds, meant to represent the souls of your father and mother respectively, was an inspired choice. Helps that this has to be one of the most jaw-droppingly beautiful games to ever grace home consoles. Every square foot of Tsushima is a work of art. This game is just pure zen; nothing like taking a few minutes to compose a thoughtful haiku or reflect on past mistakes while soaking in an onsen. And don't get me started on all of the awesome collectibles: from sword kits to new armour types, which help to incentivise the exploration that much more.
This is not a perfect game. I can see many people having trouble dealing with the repetition and [somewhat] been-there-done-that feeling that comes with AAA open worlds these days. But to me, this is a shining jewel on the crown that is this genre, right up there with the recent Zeldas. It's a game I can see myself coming back to and playing once every few years. And the PS5 version includes all the neat little bells and whistles that come with the DualSense controller, the substantial Iki Island expansion, voice sync for the Japanese dialogue, and the online Legends mode. There's a lot here to sink your teeth into. If you have yet to experience the journey of Jin Sakai, I can't recommend it enough.
Normally I don't gel with the Ubisoft-esque open world design, but the way Ghost of Tsushima carries itself makes it feel like a wholly unique experience. Sucker Punch took that formula and made it feel fresh. Yes, it's a large map full of activities that can feel somewhat repetitive, but the traversal and combat are always so completely satisfying that it becomes hard for me to put the controller down.
Usually I can't stand combat-focused games (I have yet to find a FromSoft or DMC game I enjoy) but the swordplay here is exceptional; easy to pick up but challenging to master. I never once got tired of fighting off Mongols, and while most quests will lead you into similar combat encounters, it all feeds into the central goal of the game. You are driving the Mongols off your island and nearly everything you do is working towards that goal. The minimal UI also means I'm not staring at a tiny little HUD map to know where I'm going for the entirety of the game (coughcoughThe Witcher 3coughcough). Simply following the wind and the birds, meant to represent the souls of your father and mother respectively, was an inspired choice. Helps that this has to be one of the most jaw-droppingly beautiful games to ever grace home consoles. Every square foot of Tsushima is a work of art. This game is just pure zen; nothing like taking a few minutes to compose a thoughtful haiku or reflect on past mistakes while soaking in an onsen. And don't get me started on all of the awesome collectibles: from sword kits to new armour types, which help to incentivise the exploration that much more.
This is not a perfect game. I can see many people having trouble dealing with the repetition and [somewhat] been-there-done-that feeling that comes with AAA open worlds these days. But to me, this is a shining jewel on the crown that is this genre, right up there with the recent Zeldas. It's a game I can see myself coming back to and playing once every few years. And the PS5 version includes all the neat little bells and whistles that come with the DualSense controller, the substantial Iki Island expansion, voice sync for the Japanese dialogue, and the online Legends mode. There's a lot here to sink your teeth into. If you have yet to experience the journey of Jin Sakai, I can't recommend it enough.