Ever since it was first announced during Paris Games Week back in 2017, we have been particularly impatient to play Ghost of Tsushima, a new open world game by Sucker Punch (inFamous, Sly Raccoon) set in feudal Japan. As the last PS4 exclusive to have been developed by a first party studio, we had high hopes concerning the game, but we were also a bit worried. Now that we've had plenty of time to discover the island of Tsushima, it's time to share our verdict with you guys.
Verdict
The few doubts we had at the end of the State of Play which was put up last May didn't stay for long after we started playing Ghost of Tsushima. The last PS4 exclusive of this generation is obviously not perfect as we have a few complaints to make that prevents it from being even more impressive than it is. For example, we wish stealth hadn't been that easy in hard mode. The game could also have used some more charismatic secondary characters or a faster-paced first part, textures could have been a bit sharper at times and climbable rocks should have been better integrated to the cliffs. That being said, after completing the adventure and having seen most of all the island had to offer, it's hard to deny the fact that Ghost of Tsushima is another major PS4 exclusive. Not only does it provide breathtaking vistas and incredibly satisfying combat, but it also features a story that has kept us on tenterhooks as soon as it's second part (out of 3). Exploring the world is great, we never felt overwhelmed by useless content thrown at us for the sole purpose of making the experience longer, we have fully embraced the game's atmosphere and setting, which will please all Japan lovers out there. Ghost of Tsushima is not just the Assassin's Creed in Japan we've always wanted, it's simply a great game.
On the upside
Stealth is very satisfying...
Excellent combat system
Visually gorgeous
Animations are smooth and nicely detailed
The open world is well-built and majestic
Side activities are both pleasant and gratifying
Great longevity
Enemies can be dealt with in many different ways
Solid soundtrack
Fast travel is indeed fast
The horse moves well and is fun to ride
On the downside
... but enemies take so long to react it makes things way too easy
Some secondary characters lack charisma
The swimming animation made Driftwood laugh
Some textures are a bit disappointing considering the rest
I'm glad to hear it's not just an Assassin's Creed re-skin and that it's actually it's own thing. I'm also very interested in the story, since you say it kept you hooked. I don't have time to play it now, very busy with Destiny 2, but will dive in later in the year. I hope it sels very well, we need more Samurai games or just games set in Feudal Japan.
Commented on 2020-07-15 17:12:48 In reply to unknownuser0001
Posted by unknownuser0001
The swimming animation made Driftwood laugh
Funniest negative I've ever read from you guys :D
Should be viewed as a positive. Anything that makes you laugh is.
Anyway, this game is mostly getting really high praise without it being ridiculously lavished upon with such hyperbolic nonsense *cough*"It's the Schindlers List" of Samurai games *cough* Ten out of ten. Best thing ever made! It's even got a few middling reviews, to good ones. That to me is the mark of intrigue and possibly a great game. The fact it's often described as being evocative of Breath of the Wild and a homage to Kurosawa has me sold on it immediately. I don't care for trite rating systems these days.
For anyone that has it, I watched the video review and the one thing that really puts me off is all the arcadey UI stuff, everything from the way enemies are highlighted to the trails on swords and arrows etc. etc. can all that rubbish be turned off? I know the flashing trees in the environment can't unfortunately but I find the other stuff far more annoying :(
Commented on 2020-07-16 17:10:31 In reply to Grimbarian
I doubt you can get rid of the sword effect but the visibility arrow I think you can independently from the rest. It's one of the few options they left to tweak the experience.
Expert HUD seems to remove almost everything you don't like, including the "blinking trees/flowers" you can pick up. The sword effect in slow motion during confrontation remains though but it's pretty discrete I think.
MrWhite
And if you know your history, that spilled over into America too. "Hill Billies" didn't get that name by accident. There's a very specific reasoning for it. (1 Hour ago)
MrWhite
@jmd749: Yeah. Happened in my country too. Only they used religion and fealty to the monarchy of England as the divider instead of skin colour. Property ownership and jobs were the bribe. (1 Hour ago)
jmd749
is not unique to Trump, neither is it new. It's been happening from the days of Jim crow where poor whites were given the illusion of inclusion. The age old divide and conquer play book. (8 Hours ago)
jmd749
Yes, agreed. Had they been anything but white nationals they'd have been slaughtered. Chappelle said it best [url] This manipulation of poor white US nationals... (8 Hours ago)
MrWhite
If you storm a building like that and call it a revolution, you better be prepared to die. They clearly weren't or hadn't any clue of what a revolution entails. (18 Hours ago)
MrWhite
@gigantor21: I found her to be a bit endearing in how naive she was. The police and guards in that building had the power to literally open up and slaughter the lot of them. (18 Hours ago)
gigantor21
@MrWhite: That one lady whining about getting maced even though "it's a revolution" was the patron saint of the insurrectionists: entitled, weak and stupid. (21 Hours ago)
Driftwood
GSY is getting some nice content at 3 pm CEST with our July podcast and some videos of the Deus Ex Mankind Divided preview build. :) (> 3 Months ago)
Driftwood
For once we'll be live at 4:30 pm CEST. Blim should not even be tired! (> 3 Months ago)
Driftwood
More Quantum Break coverage coming in a few hours, 9:00 a.m CEST. (> 3 Months ago)
Driftwood
We'll have a full review up for Firewatch at 7 pm CET. Videos will only be tomorrow though. (> 3 Months ago)
Driftwood
Tonight's livestream will be at 9:15 GMT+1, not GMT+2 as first stated. (> 3 Months ago)
Driftwood
New GSY Live dedicated this time to Just Cause 3 on Tuesday 9:30 GMT+2 (> 3 Months ago)
Driftwood
Join us tomorrow at 10 pm GMT+2 for a new livestream. We'll be playing Rise of the Tomb Raider. (> 3 Months ago)
All comments
I'm glad to hear it's not just an Assassin's Creed re-skin and that it's actually it's own thing. I'm also very interested in the story, since you say it kept you hooked. I don't have time to play it now, very busy with Destiny 2, but will dive in later in the year. I hope it sels very well, we need more Samurai games or just games set in Feudal Japan.
Jesus, this game looks incredible visually. Just a tour de force.
The swimming animation made Driftwood laugh
Thanks for the review !
Thank you so much, that's exactly the kind of compliment we love to hear. :)
Also, haha i said 'undone' in my original message. I meant 'outdone!'
The swimming animation made Driftwood laugh
Anyway, this game is mostly getting really high praise without it being ridiculously lavished upon with such hyperbolic nonsense *cough*"It's the Schindlers List" of Samurai games *cough* Ten out of ten. Best thing ever made! It's even got a few middling reviews, to good ones. That to me is the mark of intrigue and possibly a great game. The fact it's often described as being evocative of Breath of the Wild and a homage to Kurosawa has me sold on it immediately. I don't care for trite rating systems these days.
There's an expert HUD option, maybe that could do the trick.
I'll try to see tonight if I get a chance. I just need to be sure what really bothers you. ^^
I just don't get how you create a beautiful looking world and then ruin it with silly fake arcade effects and hud/UI prompts etc etc!