Ghost of Tsushima
- February 27, 2024
- Nixxes Software
- 16h median play time
Get on Steam
Get on Epic Games Store"Ghost of Tsushima Director's Cut" is a PC game set in 13th century Tsushima Island, where the Mongol empire has invaded. Players control Jin Sakai, one of the last surviving samurai, who uses a combination of traditional and new tactics to protect his people and reclaim his home. This version includes early unlocks and additional content for a comprehensive experience.
PC
Playstation 4
Playstation 5
Windows
Cloud
PlayStation
Reviews
- story8,894 mentions
- 52 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The story of *Ghost of Tsushima* is widely praised for its emotional depth and engaging narrative, focusing on the journey of Jin Sakai as he navigates the complexities of honor and survival during the Mongol invasion of Japan. While the main storyline is compelling, some players note that side quests can feel repetitive and lack the same level of depth, often following a formulaic structure. Overall, the game is celebrated for its rich storytelling, stunning visuals, and well-developed characters, making it a standout title in the action-adventure genre.
“The story of Jin Sakai's transformation from a noble samurai to the vengeful 'ghost' is both emotionally gripping and thematically profound, exploring loyalty, sacrifice, and the clash between tradition and necessity.”
“The story is powerful, filled with themes of honor, sacrifice, and personal growth, making it a deeply engaging experience.”
“Ghost of Tsushima is a breathtaking masterpiece that combines stunning visuals, captivating scenes, and an emotionally engaging story.”
“Unskippable cut scenes tied to a boring, dialogue-heavy story.”
“The story is extremely mediocre and has no interesting conflict beyond 'expel the mongols' until the last 10%, where characters start having emotional conflict for the first time in a 30-hour story.”
“The story is bland and boring.”
- graphics3,738 mentions
- 65 % positive mentions
- 34 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Ghost of Tsushima" have received widespread acclaim for their stunning beauty and artistic design, often described as breathtaking and visually immersive. Players highlight the game's vibrant landscapes, intricate details, and the ability to capture picturesque moments through its photo mode, making it a visual masterpiece. However, some users have reported minor graphical glitches and performance issues, particularly on lower-end systems, but overall, the game's visuals are considered a significant strength that enhances the overall experience.
“The graphics are absolutely stunning, capturing the beauty of feudal Japan in breathtaking detail.”
“Ghost of Tsushima is a breathtaking masterpiece that captivates players with its insane graphics and heart-touching story.”
“The visuals are stunning, making you feel like you're in feudal Japan.”
“Well above minimum spec and on lowest graphics quality, 15 fps max. Don't bother unless you have a NASA PC.”
“Graphics are just average, even for its time and as a PS4 game.”
“The graphics look like they are from a 2015 game while still requiring 2022 PC components to run (50-60 fps on max settings with RTX Super 2070).”
- gameplay3,253 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 46 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Ghost of Tsushima" has received widespread acclaim for its stunning visuals, fluid combat mechanics, and engaging narrative. Players appreciate the blend of stealth and action, with unique features like the guiding wind mechanic enhancing exploration. However, some reviews note that the gameplay can become repetitive over time, and technical issues, particularly with the standoff mechanic, have been reported, affecting the overall experience.
“Ghost of Tsushima is an exceptional game that masterfully blends breathtaking visuals, engaging gameplay, and a rich narrative rooted in Japanese history.”
“The gameplay is fantastic and in moderation moreish, however the open-world aspect means side quests and collectibles, which become boring and slightly repetitive, less so than a Ubisoft game but still something to keep in mind.”
“The standoff mechanic is pure adrenaline, while the variety of stances ensures you're always strategizing in battle.”
“The gameplay loop quickly becomes repetitive, with the same types of missions and enemy encounters, making it feel like a chore after a while.”
“The standoff mechanic is inconsistent, often failing to register inputs, which can lead to frustrating moments during combat.”
“While the game is visually stunning, the gameplay lacks depth and variety, often feeling like a generic open-world experience.”
- optimization1,228 mentions
- 47 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The optimization of "Ghost of Tsushima" has received mixed feedback from players. While many praise its overall performance, noting smooth gameplay and impressive graphics even on mid-range systems, others report significant issues such as memory leaks, stuttering after extended play sessions, and inconsistent performance across different hardware configurations. Despite these concerns, the game is generally regarded as one of the better-optimized ports from PlayStation to PC, with ongoing patches expected to address the remaining technical issues.
“It's optimized very well.”
“Very well optimized, never found a bug, never crashed and runs far beyond expectation on Steam Deck.”
“The optimization is incredible, with load times rarely taking more than a few seconds.”
“However, there seems to be a memory leak issue, and I cannot go for more than one hour before my game starts stuttering and I need to reset my PC to play the game.”
“The game suffers from constant severe stuttering which will never be fixed since the devs refuse to admit it's happening in the first place despite the overwhelming amount of evidence online.”
“We are 4 patches into the game and yet it still has memory leaks that cause stuttering in game after playing for around 1-2 hours that are so massive it requires restarting your entire PC for your PC to be usable again in any capacity as it bogs down the entire system.”
- music727 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The music in "Ghost of Tsushima" has been widely praised for its hauntingly beautiful soundtrack, which effectively complements the game's emotional narrative and immersive world. Composed by Ilan Eshkeri and Shigeru Umebayashi, the score features traditional Japanese instruments that enhance both tranquil exploration and intense combat moments, creating a captivating atmosphere throughout the gameplay. While some players noted occasional audio bugs that affected sound effects, the overall reception of the music remains overwhelmingly positive, with many considering it one of the game's standout features.
“Very compelling music, from soft Japanese flute during horse rides to a heart-wrenching symphony during big boss fights.”
“Coupled with a hauntingly beautiful soundtrack and a cinematic presentation, Ghost of Tsushima delivers a truly unforgettable gaming experience.”
“The soundtrack perfectly complements every moment, heightening the emotional weight of the story and the serenity of exploration.”
“The music is completely underrated... so close to perfect that it doesn't matter.”
“The music is very authentic, no modern techno, rap or other nonsense that certain other IPs have gone down, but instead what we get in Ghost of Tsushima is very authentic Japanese music that is reflective of the time period the game takes place in.”
“However, I cannot recommend this game as starting in act 2 / start of DLC, there's this weird audio bug where sword sounds, footsteps, music, and ambient noises drop in and out, which makes the game unbearable.”
- emotional462 mentions
- 98 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of "Ghost of Tsushima" is widely praised, with many players highlighting its deeply engaging narrative that explores themes of honor, sacrifice, and personal growth. The protagonist, Jin Sakai's transformation from samurai to ghost resonates powerfully, often evoking strong emotional responses, including tears during pivotal moments. The game's stunning visuals and haunting soundtrack further enhance the emotional weight of the story, making it a memorable and impactful experience for players.
“The story of Jin Sakai's transformation from a noble samurai to the vengeful 'ghost' is both emotionally gripping and thematically profound, exploring loyalty, sacrifice, and the clash between tradition and necessity.”
“The emotional depth of the story is palpable, as it delves into Jin’s personal growth, his inner conflict, and the toll that war takes on both the body and soul.”
“The narrative offers emotional moments, with decisions that weigh heavily on Jin and the player.”
“Boring story and unskippable dialogs.”
“Quite boring story, repetitive and one of those very empty open worlds.”
“Boring story like oh the bad guy has taken over your home and you got to take it back, like this has not been done a 1000 times over.”
- stability454 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 2 % neutral mentions
- 54 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting smooth performance and minimal bugs, while others have experienced frequent freezes, crashes, and graphical glitches. Some users noted that the game runs well on high-end systems, but issues like micro-stutters and audio glitches persist, particularly during cutscenes and combat. Overall, while the game shows promise in terms of stability, it still requires further optimization and patching to address the various technical issues reported by players.
“The game runs great, and even with an Xbox controller, it still feels great.”
“There are no issues with performance, no bugs, and no glitches—just a smooth, seamless experience that lets you fully immerse yourself in the game.”
“The game looks beautiful, runs smoothly, and I've had no glitches or bugs after 20 hours.”
“The game freezes during open world play and more frustratingly during combat to the point it is currently unplayable.”
“I wish I could recommend the game, but it is so unoptimized for PC with constant freezes just on startup, even with it being on an SSD.”
“The game is a buggy mess for the PC version and frequently has issues with cutscenes, which makes progression impossible.”
- atmosphere382 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 32 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of "Ghost of Tsushima" is widely praised for its breathtaking visuals, immersive sound design, and dynamic weather effects, which together create a deeply engaging experience that transports players to feudal Japan. Reviewers highlight the game's stunning landscapes, rich cultural elements, and atmospheric soundtrack, all of which enhance the emotional weight of the narrative and gameplay. Despite some minor criticisms regarding repetitiveness, the overall consensus is that the game's atmosphere is a standout feature, making it a must-play for fans of open-world adventures.
“The visuals are absolutely stunning—fields of swaying grass, golden sunsets, and serene Japanese temples create an atmosphere so immersive that it feels like stepping into a painting.”
“The atmosphere pulls you right in, making you feel like a true samurai exploring a world that’s alive and breathtaking.”
“The dynamic weather system and day-night cycle add to the immersion, with moments like sunsets or storms elevating the atmosphere.”
“The atmosphere (despite all the recycled resources and copy-paste environments) is breathtaking.”
“The gameplay might get a little boring in the long run (at the 70 to 80 hours mark), that is true, but the story, beauty, and atmosphere of the game is unchallenged.”
“This game feels just like an Assassin's Creed wannabe game with all its repetitive gameplay and boring world...and for that I think it's very overrated. The only good thing about this game is how it looks and the atmosphere...but that's not enough or rather not the most important thing in a game.”
- grinding245 mentions
- 2 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 69 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with many players finding certain tasks and side missions repetitive and tedious, particularly as they progress. While some appreciate the resource collection and upgrades as manageable and enjoyable, others feel that the overall experience can become monotonous, especially when pursuing 100% completion. The game's beautiful world and engaging combat help mitigate some of the grind, but players should be prepared for a degree of repetitiveness in gameplay.
“There are supplies and different resources you collect, but it's not tedious like creating new ammo and traps; it all adds to different upgrades.”
“Most of the achievements require little to no grinding -- and the ones that require some form of grind demand incredibly little of it.”
“- No grinding; you can do the story if you want to, or explore side content and unlock cosmetics, but also plus stats items.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“The biggest problem, however, is the boring and tedious side missions to collect talismans, increase your resolve, etc. These missions don't change in terms of the actions needed to complete them, so after the 20th time, it gets really old.”
“The side missions do get repetitive and tedious after a while.”
- character development109 mentions
- 53 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is widely praised for its depth and emotional resonance, particularly through the protagonist Jin Sakai's journey from a traditional samurai to a more complex figure embodying stealth and cunning. Players appreciate the well-crafted relationships and evolving dynamics with both allies and enemies, although some side characters could benefit from additional depth. Overall, the narrative's balance of personal conflict and broader themes, combined with immersive storytelling and stunning visuals, creates a compelling experience that resonates long after gameplay.
“The character development is profound, and the emotional weight of the story stays with you long after you've put down the controller.”
“The character development is outstanding, with every ally and enemy feeling fleshed out and significant.”
“The story is compelling, and the character development is profound, especially as Jin transitions from a traditional samurai to the ghost, adopting stealth and guile as new weapons in his arsenal.”
“The narrative is predictable, and character development is shallow.”
“There is not much character development to warrant sympathy for any significant characters.”
“Edit edit: Iki Island DLC is a bad fanfiction that straight up retcons most of the subtle storytelling and character development of the main game.”
- humor75 mentions
- 97 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with players appreciating both intentional comedic elements, such as quirky side characters like Kenji, and unintentional moments stemming from bugs and glitches. While some find the humor to enhance the experience, others note that the overall tone is often serious, given the game's historical context. Overall, the humor adds a lighthearted touch to the gameplay, making it enjoyable despite its darker themes.
“Kenji is hilarious, but also concerning.”
“The side quests, especially Kenji and Taka/Yuna, are great examples of storytelling and character arcs that felt grounded (I liked Kenji because he made me laugh).”
“I wear a funny hat and I kill bad guys with a sword, what's not to like?”
“It's not funny anymore.”
“I am loving the game so far, but playing for 40 minutes and then crashing is not funny.”
- replayability69 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with many players praising its engaging story, beautiful graphics, and the addition of cooperative multiplayer modes that enhance replay value. While some reviews highlight a lack of significant choices affecting the narrative, others appreciate the variety in gameplay styles and the potential for replaying content, particularly in new game plus modes. Overall, it is considered worth revisiting, especially for those who enjoy exploring its expansive world and challenges.
“The story is beautiful and emotional, with tons of replay value.”
“Each armor set comes with unique bonuses that encourage different playstyles, which adds depth and replayability.”
“The game's dual nature, allowing players to embrace the traditional samurai path or the stealthy ghost approach, adds depth and replayability.”
“I would not say there is much replayability since the story is linear and I can't think of any story-impacting decisions that get made along the way - but it is definitely worth buying and playing through once.”
“The legends mode is good but severely limited in content and the raids are a nightmare of bad game design with no incentive on replayability if the player is able to complete them.”
“This kills replayability as some of us, for whatever reason, will be playing on a fresh new game instead of new game plus despite already beating the game.”
- monetization24 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 29 % negative mentions
The reviews highlight a strong positive sentiment towards the game's monetization model, with many users praising the absence of microtransactions and in-game purchases. Players appreciate the focus on gameplay and story without the pressure of additional costs, contrasting it with other titles that rely heavily on monetization strategies. Overall, the game is seen as a refreshing departure from the typical cash grab approach prevalent in the industry.
“Really excellently made and no microtransactions in sight.”
“Overall it is absolutely worth its price, we sorely need more games like this, a well-written emotional story with plenty of side content, even if a bit repetitive after a while, gorgeous graphics and an epic soundtrack, with a lot of cosmetic options you get from exploring and playing with absolutely no monetization, and even a story expansion with a new area and more content, what more can we ask for nowadays.”
“I have forgotten that games can be fun, complete, and not bombard the player with microtransactions.”
“Sony just after a quick cash grab and a lot went for it.”
“I tried to play more but the more I go the more it's apparent that this was in development in 2015, released before the pandemic, and just does not resonate in 2024. It's a total Sony cash grab for expiring merch, sad.”
“Pure cash grab in spite of the PC community.”
