Ghost of Tsushima
- February 27, 2024
- Nixxes Software
- 23h 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
- story10,845 mentions
- 51 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The story of "Ghost of Tsushima" is widely praised for its emotional depth and engaging narrative, following the journey of Jin Sakai as he navigates the conflict between honor and survival during the Mongol invasion of Japan. Players appreciate the well-developed characters and the intertwining of main and side quests, which often enhance the overall storytelling experience. However, some critiques highlight the repetitiveness of side missions and the predictability of certain plot points, suggesting that while the main story is compelling, it can sometimes feel formulaic. Overall, the game is celebrated for its stunning visuals, immersive world, and a narrative that resonates with themes of sacrifice and identity.
“The story is deep with growth, progression, love and honor, and choices (despite the narrative).”
“Amazing storyline with good and relatable characters, gives you a whole new meaning to the concept of honor and duty, how Jin navigates his feelings towards everyone he knows and himself and his life.”
“The story of Jin Sakai is one of honor, sacrifice, and the struggle between tradition and change.”
“Game falls off hard as fuck, the story is pretty mid to be honest.”
“The story is mediocre, and the enemies are dull.”
“The side quests are utterly useless and distract from the plot of the game in many ways.”
- graphics4,597 mentions
- 63 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Ghost of Tsushima" have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visual fidelity and artistic design, often described as breathtaking and cinematic. Players have noted the game's ability to create immersive environments that beautifully capture the essence of feudal Japan, with many scenes being likened to works of art. While some users have reported minor graphical glitches and performance issues, the overall consensus is that the game delivers an exceptional visual experience, especially on high-end PCs.
“The graphics are stunning, the gameplay is fantastic, and there is a ton of content to go through.”
“The visuals are jaw-droppingly gorgeous, making every moment feel like you’re walking through a living work of art.”
“Changing the graphics presets from highest to lowest to highest fixes it, but it's a bummer that I always have to do it...”
“The graphics are sharp; it is like playing a movie.”
“The graphics, the audio, the story, the lore, the combat system, every bit of it is peak.”
- gameplay3,905 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 46 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Ghost of Tsushima" has been widely praised for its fluid combat mechanics, engaging swordplay, and immersive exploration, often compared favorably to titles like "Assassin's Creed" and "Sekiro." Players appreciate the variety of approaches available, including stealth and direct combat, though some note that the gameplay can become repetitive over time, particularly in side quests and enemy encounters. Overall, the game is celebrated for its stunning visuals and well-executed mechanics, making it a standout experience in the action-adventure genre.
“The gameplay is simply epic, different stances for different enemy types, it can be challenging but you're given all the tools at your disposal to survive and overcome great odds, it has weight but it's also fluid and visceral, honestly it became one of my favorite combat systems in games.”
“The attention to detail and the seamless blend of narrative and gameplay make this title stand out as one of the best in its genre.”
“The combat mechanics are top-notch—fluid, precise, and incredibly satisfying—truly makes you feel like a samurai in a kurosawa movie.”
“The game definitely has a bit of that shitty Ubisoft gameplay loop with fetch-quests and dozens of collectibles as time-sink, but otherwise the game looks stunning, combat is fun (could have a bit more enemy variety though) and the various stories you engage throughout the game are nice (though not groundbreaking, your typical samurai stories).”
“The gameplay does get repetitive after a while.”
“The gameplay loop can stale pretty quick if you were trying to complete everything as they become available, but the best way to play is finding your own balance between core and side quests.”
- optimization1,659 mentions
- 46 % positive mentions
- 41 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The optimization of "Ghost of Tsushima" on PC has received mixed reviews, with many praising its overall performance and visual fidelity, particularly on high-end systems. While some players report smooth gameplay with minimal issues, others experience significant stuttering, frame drops, and memory leaks, especially after extended play sessions. Overall, the game is considered well-optimized for modern hardware, but ongoing performance issues and bugs suggest that further patches may be necessary to enhance stability for all users.
“The optimization is awesome and the game runs flawlessly.”
“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 runs smoothly, even on higher settings, showcasing good optimization.”
“After approximately 1 or so hours of playing you will experience fps drops and random stuttering due to memory leaks.”
“Look, let's start off with the obvious, this is buggy as hell. I had to get Project Lasso and download a CPU mod from Nexus to get this to work without micro stuttering, and in exchange you get periodic random slowdowns. Periodically, I have to save, quit, and reload due to what I assume is a memory leak.”
“Soo, it's pretty immersion-ruining that I have to restart the game every 2-3 hours because of some kind of performance issue, not to mention there are sometimes huge fps drops.”
- music782 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The music in "Ghost of Tsushima" has received widespread acclaim for its hauntingly beautiful soundtrack, which effectively enhances the game's emotional depth and immersive atmosphere. Composed with traditional Japanese instruments and orchestral elements, the music complements both the tranquil exploration and intense combat, creating a memorable auditory experience. However, some players have noted occasional audio bugs that disrupt the sound effects during gameplay, detracting from the overall experience.
“The game masterfully combines storytelling, atmosphere, and music to create not just a game, but a true work of art.”
“The hauntingly beautiful soundtrack sets the mood perfectly, enhancing emotional moments and epic battles alike.”
“The soundtrack, composed by Ilan Eshkeri and Shigeru Umebayashi, is a beautiful fusion of traditional Japanese instruments and orchestral arrangements.”
“There's no memorable music; the entire game feels like it's on ambient mode.”
“Sadly there's an audio bug that makes the game borderline unplayable at times (basically all sound effects disappear and only music is audible. Needless to say, it kind of kills a lot of important audio cues such as arrow warnings, etc.)”
“I turned off the music because this is really annoying and if anything, no music makes the game more immersive.”
- stability661 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 3 % neutral mentions
- 55 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has received mixed feedback from users. While many players report a smooth experience with high frame rates and minimal bugs, others have encountered significant issues such as frequent crashes, graphical glitches, and freezing during gameplay, particularly in cutscenes and combat. Overall, the game runs well on high-end systems, but players with lower specifications or certain hardware configurations may experience more instability.
“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.”
“Nixxes did a great job with the port, it runs great and I haven't had any issues with bugs so far.”
“Can't get past the opening cutscene without being flashbanged by lightning glitches and crashing.”
“Game freezes during open world play and more frustratingly during combat to the point it is currently unplayable.”
“The game is a buggy mess for the PC version and frequently has issues with cutscenes, which makes progression impossible.”
- emotional501 mentions
- 98 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of "Ghost of Tsushima" is widely praised, with many players noting its deeply engaging narrative that explores themes of honor, sacrifice, and identity. The story, characterized by relatable characters and poignant moments, often evokes strong emotional reactions, including tears, particularly during key scenes and the impactful conclusion. The game's stunning visuals and haunting soundtrack further enhance the emotional experience, making it a memorable journey for players.
“The narrative is rich, emotional, and deeply engaging, with characters that feel real and relatable.”
“The story of Jin Sakai's transformation from honorable samurai to the vengeful ghost is both compelling and emotionally resonant.”
“The emotional weight of Jin's journey, his sacrifices, and the ultimate resolution of his quest provide a poignant and fitting end to this epic tale.”
“It's a boring game with a boring story covered up by good graphics and visuals.”
“Boring story and unskippable dialogs.”
“Art direction/setting is doing a lot of lifting for a boring story, world, and combat system.”
- atmosphere451 mentions
- 68 % positive mentions
- 31 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of "Ghost of Tsushima" is widely praised for its breathtaking visuals, immersive sound design, and dynamic world that beautifully captures the essence of feudal Japan. Players are captivated by the game's stunning graphics, atmospheric soundtrack featuring traditional Japanese instruments, and the meticulous attention to detail in the environment, which together create a deeply engaging and serene experience. While some note that gameplay can become repetitive over time, the overall atmosphere remains a standout feature, making it a compelling choice for those seeking an immersive open-world adventure.
“The way the grass sways in the breeze, the haunting melodies of bamboo flutes, and the distant calls of wild animals all create an atmosphere that is as immersive as it is breathtaking.”
“The game beautifully captures the essence of feudal Japan with stunning visuals and an immersive atmosphere.”
“The atmosphere is so moving that it feels like a character itself.”
“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...because no matter how beautiful the game is, it becomes boring after only 2-3 hours of gameplay, as it happened for me...I really hoped it was something more than that.”
“Though there are a few visual and audio bugs that were really killing the atmosphere for me.”
“Looks a little cartoonish sometimes, would prefer a more darker atmosphere for this type of game, but not immersion breaking at all.”
- grinding267 mentions
- 1 % positive mentions
- 24 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with many players finding certain tasks and side missions to be tedious and repetitive, especially for completionists. While some appreciate the engaging combat and exploration, others feel that the game can become overwhelming and monotonous, particularly in the late stages. Overall, the grinding is seen as manageable but can detract from the enjoyment if players focus too heavily on side content.
“Most of the achievements require little to no grinding -- and the ones that require some form of grind demand incredibly little of it.”
“A bit grindy sometimes.”
“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.”
“There is nothing interesting to do; every activity becomes tedious after the second time you do them, and the fact that pretty much all enemy camps are split just makes them drag out and become even more tedious.”
“The fighting becomes tedious and repetitive - and the quests and side quests are extremely repetitive.”
- character development133 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
Character development in "Ghost of Tsushima" is widely praised for its depth and emotional resonance, particularly through the protagonist Jin Sakai's internal struggles and relationships with supporting characters. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to immerse players in its narrative, with well-crafted arcs that evoke genuine investment in the characters' journeys. The expansion on Iki Island further enriches this development, exploring Jin's past and enhancing the overall storytelling experience.
“The character development, especially Jin’s internal conflict and relationships with other key characters, is compelling and engaging.”
“The character development is profound, offering a rich, emotional journey that is both personal and epic in scale.”
“Jin’s evolution from a traditional samurai to the feared ghost is compelling, driven by well-written dialogue and strong character development.”
“I definitely prefer RDR2's approach to gameplay and character development (flaws and all) compared to Ghost of Tsushima.”
“Edit: The Iki Island DLC is a bad fanfiction that straight up retcons most of the subtle storytelling and character development of the main game. Iki Mongol combat and duels are absolutely terrible and it comes shipped with token Ubisoft hallucinogen trash story with recycled voice lines from the main game as much as possible.”
“The story fell flat immediately for me - a strong, completely unrealistic for the time period female character saves the main character's life literally 5 minutes into the game - not exaggerating that at all - from the middle of a battlefield that was surrounded by the Mongolian army. Then the first character development flashback for the main character (who is Japanese royalty in feudal Japan) is apparently being 'bullied' by the local kids.”
- humor90 mentions
- 98 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is frequently highlighted as a standout feature, with players enjoying its witty dialogue, funny side characters, and amusing moments during gameplay, such as unexpected visual glitches and humorous interactions. Characters like Kenji are particularly noted for their comedic value, adding levity to the otherwise serious narrative of a samurai's struggle. Overall, while the game has serious themes, the humor effectively balances the experience, making it both entertaining and engaging.
“Very funny game, you can assassinate people :)”
“Story also intense and rewarding, and even well-placed witty humor (Kenji has my solid vote for 12th century award-winning stand-up comedian).”
“I wear a funny hat and I kill bad guys with a sword, what's not to like?”
“I am loving the game so far, but playing for 40 minutes and then crashing is not funny.”
- replayability85 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The game is widely praised for its high replayability, with many players noting the extensive content, engaging story, and varied gameplay styles that encourage multiple playthroughs. The addition of cooperative multiplayer modes and new challenges further enhances its replay value, making it a worthwhile investment for players seeking long-term enjoyment. However, some critiques mention limitations in certain modes that may affect overall replayability.
“Definitely worth the 60 dollars for the replayability and overall amazing experience.”
“The director's cut also includes new abilities and challenges on Iki Island, enhancing the game's strategic elements and overall replayability.”
“Well over 100 hours of content and plenty of replayability.”
“The legends mode is good but severely limited in content, and the raids are a nightmare of bad game design with no incentive for replayability if the player is able to complete them.”
“Albeit, legends mode is pretty enjoyable with friends, it doesn't have much replay value once you max out.”
“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.”
- monetization26 mentions
- 12 % positive mentions
- 35 % neutral mentions
- 54 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game is largely praised, with users appreciating the absence of microtransactions, DLC, and other common monetization tactics that often plague modern titles. Players feel that the game offers a complete experience without the pressure to spend more money, allowing for genuine enjoyment of the gameplay and story. However, some critiques suggest that the game may still be perceived as a cash grab by the publisher, particularly in the context of its release timing and marketing strategy.
“No microtransactions, ugly HUDs, battle passes, or any other hallmarks of a modern game of this caliber in sight.”
“I have forgotten that games can be fun, complete, and not bombard the player with microtransactions.”
“Wow, a game that feels like it's meant to be played for fun instead of monetization!”
“For a while now we have been getting more used to Ubisoft and Bethesda pushing these open world games stuffed to the brim with DLC and microtransactions.”
“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.”
“Couldn't ask for more after all, most games nowadays are pure garbage cash grabs.”
