Sucker Punch struck gold withGhost of Tsushima. The thrilling Japan-set action-adventure struck a chord with countless players, who fell in love with its stunning visuals, dramatic storytelling, solid exploration, and satisfying combat. Indeed,Ghost of Tsushimais regarded as one of the best games of the PS4 era, and fans are waiting with bated breath for its sequel.
What’s interesting aboutGhost of Tsushimais that, while it found incredible success as a new IP, it’s actuallyquite similar to other games likeAssassin’s Creed. It’s an open-world sandbox with light parkour elements, a number of valuable items and cosmetics to collect, and enemy camps that can be taken down through a combination of stealth and melee combat. This has led to many gamers describingGhost of Tsushimaas a “better” version of games by the likes of Ubisoft and Guerilla Games, which have a reputation for somewhat bland or paint-by-numbers open world mechanics. ButGhost of Tsushima2has the chance to be more than just a favorable comparison to controversial games; it can be something truly distinct.
Ghost of Tsushima 2 Needs to Carve Out a Unique Identity for Itself
The Ghost of Tsushima Formula Borrows from Other Games
Ghost of Tsushimasticks to typical action-adventure tropes, with a smattering of RPG systems thrown in for good measure. Exploration is something of a blend betweenAssassin’s CreedandBreath of the Wild, in the sense that discovery is often organic, but also cookie-cutter when it comes to what points of interest are available for discovery. Combat is another highlight of the game, but it’s not the most original either. It takes heavy cues from the likes of theBatman: Arkhamgames, focusing on providing a flow state through steady strikes, blocks, and seamless counters.
As previously mentioned, it can be argued thatGhost of Tsushimaimproves on these staples, but nevertheless, it isn’t a trailblazer from a mechanical standpoint. If anyfuture games are similar toGhost of Tsushima, it’s more likely that they will be compared to something likeBreath of the WildorFar Cry, as these are the originators of most of its mechanics, quality aside. The good news is that, now thatGhost of Tsushimahas nailed these basics, its sequel has a strong foundation to build upon.
More Original Gameplay Could Elevate Ghost of Tsushima 2 to Greatness
It’s hard to say exactly howGhost of Tsushima 2could depart from its predecessor mechanically, as so little is known about the game. One obvious route would be the pivot toa more robust stealth system compared to the firstGhost of Tsushima, whose stealth mechanics often boiled down to the classic “press the kill button when behind an enemy” formula, not leaving a lot of room for creativity or experimentation.
Another avenue for growth could beGhost of Tsushima 2’s RPG systems. Various upgrades and gear can either be discovered or unlocked through a skill tree inGhost of Tsushima, but the options for dedicated, diverse build-crafting are limited. There are several ways thatGhost of Tsushimacould offer more varietyand complexity by way of comprehensive progression systems, encouraging players to get creative with sophisticated leveling and gear options.
It’s tough to find games likeGhost of Tsushima: a brand-new IP that takes off and becomes a massive, mainstream success. For that feat alone, Sucker Punch ought to be commended. And whileGhost of Tsushimais certainly a special gamein many ways, it still has room to solidify its identity, making it not just “betterAssassin’s Creed,” but something truly inspired, mechanically deep, and original.
Ghost of Tsushima
WHERE TO PLAY
A storm is coming. Discover the expanded Ghost of Tsushima experience in this Director’s Cut. Uncover the hidden wonders of Tsushima in this open-world action adventure from Sucker Punch Productions and PlayStation Studios, available for PS5 and PS4. Forge a new path and wage an unconventional war for the freedom of Tsushima. Challenge opponents with your katana, master the bow to eliminate distant threats, develop stealth tactics to ambush enemies and explore a new story on Iki Island.
