Ghost Of Tsushima: Director’s Cut – Review
When Ghost of Tsushima landed on the PS4, it was lauded as the swansong that the console deserved. It was gorgeous, had a great story, memorable characters, and most importantly, it distilled the open world formula in a way that most open world games do not. It also showed how much Sony valued it’s first party output by giving Sucker Punch Studios the resources they needed to make a great single player game. They then went on to add even more to Ghost of Tsushima with the co-op mode, Legends, which was another excellent expansion that players could enjoy for free.
Now with the Director’s Cut. Sucker Punch has added a new location, a new story arc, and PS5 features that elevate the experience to a whole new level. The PS5 upgrade adds new features such as using the Dual Sense controller’s adaptive triggers, and also visual enhancements. Returning players have much to look forward to, and new players are in for an absolute treat. The biggest feature in the Director’s Cut is the Iki Island expansion, a whole new region with it’s own story.
Like the rest of the game, Iki Island is gorgeous. A new section in the menu points you in the direction of Iki Island, and off you go on a new adventure. You’re needed at a village that is under attack, and this time some of the supernatural element introduced in Legends make an appearance. One of the things that the game immediately tells you is that there’s a new progression system in place on the Island. While you do retain your gear and weapons, you will have to re learn some skills. Speaking of skills, there are new skills added, including an immensely satisfying horse charge.
Since you do get to keep most of the upgrades, the Iki Island poses a decent threat. Enemies are tough and the land is dangerous. Some of the fights you get into are massive and require a good amount of skill and patience. While the new content is available anytime after reaching Chapter 2 in the base game, I recommend going there a bit later, when you have more experience with the game.
My only gripe is that there are not as many new weapons and enemy types added on the expansion. Maybe they want to keep the more wilder ideas separated in the Legends Mode, which is available for free to anyone who owns the base game. With that in mind, my complains are a lot less valid.
Overall though, the Director’s Cut offers a good amount of content, and is a worthy purchase.
Pros:
Looks stellar
New region is massive
Fun combat
PS5 features are great
Cons:
N/A
Score – 9/10
About:
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.
Director’s Cut Edition features all additional content released to date, as well as brand new content:
- Full game.
- Iki Island expansion: New story, mini-games, enemy types and more.
- Legends online co-op mode.
- Digital mini art book.
- One Technique Point.
- Charm of Hachiman’s Favor.
- Hero of Tsushima Skin Set: Golden Mask, Sword Kit, Horse, Saddle.
- Director’s commentary: The creative team sits down with a renowned Japanese historian to look at the world of Ghost of Tsushima and how it compares to the real-life events that inspired it.
Venture beyond the battlefield to experience feudal Japan like never before. In this open-world action adventure, you’ll roam vast countrysides and expansive terrain to encounter rich characters, discover ancient landmarks, and uncover the hidden beauty of Tsushima.
Explore meticulously-crafted regions showcasing diversity of life on the sprawling island—from billowing fields and tranquil shrines to ancient forests, villages and stark mountainscapes. Find peace in the quiet moments of natural harmony and solace in the moments you’ll share with the people you help along the way.
Jin was raised and trained in the ways of the samurai. When the Mongols handily defeat the samurai forces, Jin’s world is shattered. He is faced with the most difficult decision of his life: honor the tradition and customs of his samurai upbringing and maintain a fight he cannot win, or deviate from his samurai path to protect the island and its people by any means necessary.
In his quest to reclaim Tsushima, Jin must seek the guidance and support of old friends and new unlikely allies. He must break away from tradition, become a new kind of warrior, and protect what’s left of his home at all costs.
The Mongol enemy is unpredictable and formidable in warfare and weaponry. Get the upper hand by adapting Jin’s skills and learning new tactics to defend the island and protect the people of Tsushima.
Challenge opponents head-on in close quarters with your katana for a unique immersive samurai combat experience. Master the bow to eliminate distant threats with lethal precision. Develop stealth and deception tactics to disorient and ambush enemies with surprise attacks.
An adaptive landscape and organic approach to combat makes Tsushima the perfect playground for mixing and matching skills, weapons, and tactics to find the perfect combat blend for your play style. As Jin’s story unfolds, versatility and creativity will become your greatest weapons.
