Newsletter
  • Guides
  • Previews
    • Indie Games
    • PS4
    • PC
    • Xbox One
    • Nintendo Switch
    • Nintendo 3DS
    • PS Vita
    • PS3
    • Xbox 360
    • Wii U
  • Site Info
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Staff Directory
    • Join Our Team
    • Privacy Policy
      • Cookies Policy
    • RSS Feeds
    • Social Media
      • Youtube
      • Facebook
      • Twitter
      • Twitch
      • Instagram
      • Tumblr
      • Linkedin
      • Pinterest
      • Discord
  • Discord
  • Store
  • Logitech G
  • green man gaming
  • Affiliates
    • GAMIVO.com
    • Logitech
    • Astro Gaming
    • Nord VPN
    • Best Buy
    • Namecheap Hosting
    • Blue Mic
    • Ultimate Ears
    • Jaybird
Friday, March 31, 2023
BG
  • News
    • All
    • Esports
    • Interviews

    Wanted: Dead Enemies and Bosses Explained Video

    8 Minutes of New Atomic Heart Gameplay

    Chance to make money with valorant?

    Valorant, CS: GO, Dota 2 – Just Online Games or an Opportunity to Make Money on Bets?

    Amazon Luna Games Coming in February

    Wanted: Dead Finishers Explained Video

    Current CS:GO Team Rankings! What’s the Best Team at the Moment?

    Wanted: Dead Shows New Combat Gameplay For A Bloody Valentines Day

    Eminence in Shadow Mobile RPG Gets New Trailer, Available Now

    Crunchyroll Announces 8-Bit Adventure Gam Hime’s Quest

    Trending Tags

    • Top Stories
    • PlayStation
    • Xbox
    • Nintendo
    • Retro Games
    • Mobile Games
    • Indie Games
    • Square Enix
    • Sony
    • Microsoft
    • PAX
    • EGX
    • Gamescom
    • Rockstar Games
    • Electronic Arts
    • Activision Blizzard
    • E3 Expo
  • Reviews
    • All
    • Flash Game Reviews
    • Google Stadia
    • Indie Game Reviews
    • Mobile Game Reviews
    • Nintendo 3DS Reviews
    • Nintendo Switch Reviews
    • PC Reviews
    • PS Vita Reviews
    • PS3 Reviews
    • PS4 Reviews
    • PS5 Reviews
    • Retro Game Reviews
    • Reviews RoundUP
    • Xbox 360 Reviews
    • Xbox One Reviews

    No More Heroes 3 PS4 Review

    Neptunia: Sisters vs Sisters PS4 Review

    Wanted: Dead Review

    The Legend of Heroes Trails From Zero

    The Legend of Heroes: Trails From Zero PC Review

    Amnesia: Memories + Later x Crowd Review

    Dusk Diver 2 PS5 Review

    Yurukill: The Culmination Games

    Yurukill: The Calumniation Games Nintendo Switch Review

    Matchpoint Tennis Championships Live Review

    Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II Nintendo Switch Review

    Trending Tags

    • Resident Evil
    • Call of Duty
    • Final Fantasy
    • Destiny
    • Borderlands
    • Halo
    • The Elder Scrolls
    • Fortnite
    • PUBG
    • Bioshock
    • The Witcher
  • Opinion
    • All
    • Second Opinion

    Manga Review: Summertime Rendering Volumes 2 & 3

    buying, szelling, and trading csgo skins

    What To Expect When Buying, Selling, & Trading CS: GO Skins

    What Are the Best Ways to Gear Up in Retail WOW?

    Chance to make money with valorant?

    Valorant, CS: GO, Dota 2 – Just Online Games or an Opportunity to Make Money on Bets?

    megaways vs regular slot machines

    Are Megaways Better Than Regular Slots?

    Current CS:GO Team Rankings! What’s the Best Team at the Moment?

    game night with friends tips for success

    Top Tips for Games Night Success

    10 benefits of online gaming

    10 Benefits of Online Gaming

    The 5 Most Popular Video Games that Feature Casinos and Gambling to Play

    Trending Tags

    • Is It A Classic?
    • Remember When
    • Do We Even Care Anymore?
    • Humpday Haikus
    • Top Series
    • Thirsty Thursday
    • Aging Gamer
    • On The Way To E3
  • Podcasts
    • All
    • The BagoCast
    • TSR BagoCast

    Bagocast: Interview with Upper Echelon Gamers – The Future of Game Journalism

    Bagocast: Interview with Upper Echelon Gamers – Social Media & Esports

    Bagocast: Interview with Upper Echelon Gamers – Politics in Video Games Games

    Bagocast: Interview with Upper Echelon Gamers – Content Creators vs Game Journalist 2

    Bagocast: Interview with Upper Echelon Gamers – Titan Fall and Apex: Legends Hacked

    Bagocast: Interview with Upper Echelon Gamers – Content Creators vs Game Journalist

    BagoCast EP: 12 – Code Vein and the DLC

    Debate/Discussion: Bad Video Games That We Love

    Discussion/Debate: Is Bioware Gone?

    Trending Tags

    • Film Fallout
    • 8Bit Proof
    • Gaming Historia
    • Bago Anime Cast
    • Gamers In Beta
    • Gamers Unscripted
  • Videos
    178614

    So, You Wanna Play Junker Queen?

    178081

    Matchpoint Tennis Championships Live Review

    176052

    Void Slayer – Review

    174993

    The IDEAL Spider-Man VR Game

    174963

    Crunchyroll Panel Full Video @ Anime Frontier

    174259

    BPM: Bullets Per Minute – Shooting to The Beat (Review)

    173523

    She Will Punish Them – Warning: Mature Content (Early Access Review)

    172416

    Bagocast: Interview with Upper Echelon Gamers – The Future of Game Journalism

    172189

    Bagocast: Interview with Upper Echelon Gamers – Social Media & Esports

  • Geek Culture
    • All
    • Anime and Manga
    • Anime/Manga Review
    • Collectibles
    • Comic Books
    • Cosplay
    • Movies
    • Tech
    • TV Shows

    Manga Review: Summertime Rendering Volumes 2 & 3

    Pwnage Releases New Info On Stormbreaker, The Magnesium Alloy Gaming Mouse

    Eminence in Shadow Mobile RPG Gets New Trailer, Available Now

    Crunchyroll Announces Anime Frontier Panels and Premieres

    Crunchyroll Announces Hell’s Paradise, The Ancient Magus’ Bride S2, and More Upcoming Anime

    The Quintessential Quintuplets Movie Gets New Key Visual, Tickets Now on Sale

    Crunchyroll Rich Presence Now Available on Discord

    Udon Entertainment Announces Persona 4 Arena & Ultimax Manga Coming 2023

    Steve Aoki Releases All-New Remix for the “One Piece Film Red” Original Soundtrack

    Trending Tags

    • Movie Reviews
    • Movie News
    • TV News
    • TV Episode Review
    • Episode Guide
    • Competitive Gaming
    • Tech News
    • Tech Review
    • Anime and Manga News
    • Anime and Manga Review
    • Comic Book News
    • Comic Book Review
  • Forum
No Result
View All Result
Social icon element need JNews Essential plugin to be activated.
Social icon element need JNews Essential plugin to be activated.
  • News
    • All
    • Esports
    • Interviews

    Wanted: Dead Enemies and Bosses Explained Video

    8 Minutes of New Atomic Heart Gameplay

    Chance to make money with valorant?

    Valorant, CS: GO, Dota 2 – Just Online Games or an Opportunity to Make Money on Bets?

    Amazon Luna Games Coming in February

    Wanted: Dead Finishers Explained Video

    Current CS:GO Team Rankings! What’s the Best Team at the Moment?

    Wanted: Dead Shows New Combat Gameplay For A Bloody Valentines Day

    Eminence in Shadow Mobile RPG Gets New Trailer, Available Now

    Crunchyroll Announces 8-Bit Adventure Gam Hime’s Quest

    Trending Tags

    • Top Stories
    • PlayStation
    • Xbox
    • Nintendo
    • Retro Games
    • Mobile Games
    • Indie Games
    • Square Enix
    • Sony
    • Microsoft
    • PAX
    • EGX
    • Gamescom
    • Rockstar Games
    • Electronic Arts
    • Activision Blizzard
    • E3 Expo
  • Reviews
    • All
    • Flash Game Reviews
    • Google Stadia
    • Indie Game Reviews
    • Mobile Game Reviews
    • Nintendo 3DS Reviews
    • Nintendo Switch Reviews
    • PC Reviews
    • PS Vita Reviews
    • PS3 Reviews
    • PS4 Reviews
    • PS5 Reviews
    • Retro Game Reviews
    • Reviews RoundUP
    • Xbox 360 Reviews
    • Xbox One Reviews

    No More Heroes 3 PS4 Review

    Neptunia: Sisters vs Sisters PS4 Review

    Wanted: Dead Review

    The Legend of Heroes Trails From Zero

    The Legend of Heroes: Trails From Zero PC Review

    Amnesia: Memories + Later x Crowd Review

    Dusk Diver 2 PS5 Review

    Yurukill: The Culmination Games

    Yurukill: The Calumniation Games Nintendo Switch Review

    Matchpoint Tennis Championships Live Review

    Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II Nintendo Switch Review

    Trending Tags

    • Resident Evil
    • Call of Duty
    • Final Fantasy
    • Destiny
    • Borderlands
    • Halo
    • The Elder Scrolls
    • Fortnite
    • PUBG
    • Bioshock
    • The Witcher
  • Opinion
    • All
    • Second Opinion

    Manga Review: Summertime Rendering Volumes 2 & 3

    buying, szelling, and trading csgo skins

    What To Expect When Buying, Selling, & Trading CS: GO Skins

    What Are the Best Ways to Gear Up in Retail WOW?

    Chance to make money with valorant?

    Valorant, CS: GO, Dota 2 – Just Online Games or an Opportunity to Make Money on Bets?

    megaways vs regular slot machines

    Are Megaways Better Than Regular Slots?

    Current CS:GO Team Rankings! What’s the Best Team at the Moment?

    game night with friends tips for success

    Top Tips for Games Night Success

    10 benefits of online gaming

    10 Benefits of Online Gaming

    The 5 Most Popular Video Games that Feature Casinos and Gambling to Play

    Trending Tags

    • Is It A Classic?
    • Remember When
    • Do We Even Care Anymore?
    • Humpday Haikus
    • Top Series
    • Thirsty Thursday
    • Aging Gamer
    • On The Way To E3
  • Podcasts
    • All
    • The BagoCast
    • TSR BagoCast

    Bagocast: Interview with Upper Echelon Gamers – The Future of Game Journalism

    Bagocast: Interview with Upper Echelon Gamers – Social Media & Esports

    Bagocast: Interview with Upper Echelon Gamers – Politics in Video Games Games

    Bagocast: Interview with Upper Echelon Gamers – Content Creators vs Game Journalist 2

    Bagocast: Interview with Upper Echelon Gamers – Titan Fall and Apex: Legends Hacked

    Bagocast: Interview with Upper Echelon Gamers – Content Creators vs Game Journalist

    BagoCast EP: 12 – Code Vein and the DLC

    Debate/Discussion: Bad Video Games That We Love

    Discussion/Debate: Is Bioware Gone?

    Trending Tags

    • Film Fallout
    • 8Bit Proof
    • Gaming Historia
    • Bago Anime Cast
    • Gamers In Beta
    • Gamers Unscripted
  • Videos
    178614

    So, You Wanna Play Junker Queen?

    178081

    Matchpoint Tennis Championships Live Review

    176052

    Void Slayer – Review

    174993

    The IDEAL Spider-Man VR Game

    174963

    Crunchyroll Panel Full Video @ Anime Frontier

    174259

    BPM: Bullets Per Minute – Shooting to The Beat (Review)

    173523

    She Will Punish Them – Warning: Mature Content (Early Access Review)

    172416

    Bagocast: Interview with Upper Echelon Gamers – The Future of Game Journalism

    172189

    Bagocast: Interview with Upper Echelon Gamers – Social Media & Esports

  • Geek Culture
    • All
    • Anime and Manga
    • Anime/Manga Review
    • Collectibles
    • Comic Books
    • Cosplay
    • Movies
    • Tech
    • TV Shows

    Manga Review: Summertime Rendering Volumes 2 & 3

    Pwnage Releases New Info On Stormbreaker, The Magnesium Alloy Gaming Mouse

    Eminence in Shadow Mobile RPG Gets New Trailer, Available Now

    Crunchyroll Announces Anime Frontier Panels and Premieres

    Crunchyroll Announces Hell’s Paradise, The Ancient Magus’ Bride S2, and More Upcoming Anime

    The Quintessential Quintuplets Movie Gets New Key Visual, Tickets Now on Sale

    Crunchyroll Rich Presence Now Available on Discord

    Udon Entertainment Announces Persona 4 Arena & Ultimax Manga Coming 2023

    Steve Aoki Releases All-New Remix for the “One Piece Film Red” Original Soundtrack

    Trending Tags

    • Movie Reviews
    • Movie News
    • TV News
    • TV Episode Review
    • Episode Guide
    • Competitive Gaming
    • Tech News
    • Tech Review
    • Anime and Manga News
    • Anime and Manga Review
    • Comic Book News
    • Comic Book Review
  • Forum
No Result
View All Result
BagoGames
No Result
View All Result

BagoGames > Articles > Game Reviews > PS4 Reviews > Ghost of Tsushima Review

Ghost of Tsushima Review

An authentic open world you'll never want to leave

Jamie Moorcroft by Jamie Moorcroft
3 years ago
in PS4 Reviews
Reading Time: 6 mins read
0
ghost of tsushima bagogames review
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

RelatedStories

No More Heroes 3 PS4 Review

3 weeks ago

Neptunia: Sisters vs Sisters PS4 Review

3 weeks ago

Ghost of Tsushima starts out as a linear game with an open world that’s teasing you from the edges of your peripherals. Once I got into the game though, I realized those opening linear sections were nothing compared to the sprawling and beautiful open world just waiting to be explored. The game traps you with a great story and hooks you into uncovering every single secret it hides. If that sounds like something you’re interested in, then let’s get into this Ghost of Tsushima Review

Well-framed

ghost of tsushima review 1

The story of Ghost of Tsushima begins with a Mongol invasion of the prefecture of Tsushima. It’s a brutal, bloody battle, that sees protagonist Jin almost killed. From there it’s a classic tale of a Samurai questioning everything they know. Which leads to an end they may not want to live to see. Along the way, you’ll meet a cast of incredible companions, all of whom you could spend hours longer with if the game allowed.

I don’t want to spoil anything about the story, so I’ll stick to the key points. Jin is forced into a battle with himself. He’s a samurai and wants to fight the Mongol invaders head-on, with honor. However, they’re just too strong for him to do this. Jin has to resort to sneaking around, using the same tactics as thieves, and it doesn’t sit easily with him. The journey of Ghost of Tsushima is seeing Jin come to terms with becoming a ghost, a secret weapon that strikes before you see it. It’s a wonderful tale straight out of a samurai movie, and one that I think everyone needs to experience.

What a world

ghost of tsushima review 2

As I’ve already mentioned, Tsushima is the real draw of the game. The world is massive, taking what feels like half an hour to get from one side to another. You’ll be doing this mostly on horseback, though you can explore on foot, climbing walls and sneaking into caves. There’s never a dull moment while you’re riding around Tsushima. Sucker Punch has done a fantastic job of making everything feel very spaced out but packing the gaps between those spaces with more content than you can keep track of.

On top of the main quests, side missions, mythic tales, and collectibles, there are smaller locations to visit. Each of these are linked with something else you’ll be doing in the game. The way that all of these areas are linked is also probably the best innovation in open-world exploration that I’ve come across. Players are guided by the wind, which blows in the direction of your waypoint on the map, or the next objective. Following the wind feels intuitive, and I never lost my immersion because I barely had to open the main menu.

The wind isn’t the only thing guiding you though. Once you discover a location, say a fox den or hot spring, you’ll start to notice the telltale signs of them in the distance. This means that you can look around and just pick where you want to go. It’s a much more natural form of progression that makes every discovery feel meaningful. You’re never just ticking another box on a list, you’re finding somewhere that you’ve never seen before, and admiring it.

Birds and foxes will also guide you to key locations. Following the wind from one to the next can be very rewarding, and gives the game a sense of oneness with nature. At a time when we’re actually destroying the planet, it’s incredible to be able to play through such a lush world that’s based on a real place. I can’t help but wonder how much the developers hope it will impact some people to be more eco-friendly.

Satisfying mechanics

ghost-of-tsushima review 3

Ghost of Tsushima wouldn’t be a samurai game without combat, and there’s a lot to be had. Since Jin loves to give his enemies a chance at honor, you can standoff against any enemies you manage to sneak up on, if you don’t want to go the stealthy route. These standoffs are great, and never get boring, even if you do then with every enemy you encounter on the road.

Jin is a capable swordsman, but he learns as you progress through the game. This feels a little awkward, but I understand that Sucker Punch needed to work in new techniques over time, so it does work in one way. Still, I think that more could have been done with combat tutorials, taking progression in a different direction. This isn’t a criticism of the swordplay that’s there. It may take a while to master, but once you do, you feel like a true samurai.

There are different techniques that work better against specific types of enemies. As you unlock more techniques, you’ll be able to lay waste to groups of enemies that would have punished you in the early game. Items also help, such as the Kunai, because they allow you to tackle harder enemies without those later techniques.

Be the Ghost

ghost of tsushima review 6

The true Ghost of Tsushima experience has to be in the stealth though. You can sneak into almost every area, and take down every Mongol in sight without anyone knowing you were there. I did come across a few annoying systems. For example, archers noticing me from around a corner, or guards being drawn to my location when I’d done nothing to provoke them. All in all, though, I’d say the stealth is pretty competent.

I can only compare the stealth to that of Horizon: Zero Dawn. It’s there and is extremely useful while it works. But when an enemy sees you, they all pretty much know where you are. At this point the game becomes a bloodbath, meaning you’ll either need to let Jin die, or fight and kill 20 Mongols. Either way is fun, it would just be nice if the stealth, a key mechanic to the story and game, was a little more refined.

A treat for the ears

ghost-of-tsushima-review-4

The soundtrack of Ghost of Tsushima is second to none. Not only is it as authentic as soundtracks get, but it’s also been implemented in such a way that you enjoy it in every moment you play. Whether you’re knee-deep in Mongol bodies and fighting more, or standing on the edge of a cliff admiring the scenery as a storm rolls in. You always notice the music, and it’s always fantastic.

This even extends to the sounds in the game. From people walking on different surfaces to the way your sword clangs against others or smashes into surfaces you break. It’s a great combination of over the top samurai movie noises, as well as something that feels close to what it would sound like in the real world.

Verdict

ghost of tsushima review 5

There is a lot to Ghost of Tsushima. Not only what’s in the game, but the new difficulty mode, and even the newly announced Ghost of Tsushima: Legends. Make no mistake though, this is a game that you could be playing for months, as long as you’re willing to totally immerse yourself. The world is full of stories to explore, some of which aren’t even told through gameplay. If you don’t have the perseverance to find everything on offer, then this might not be the game for you.

I also can’t ignore the fact that the game felt unfair when the stealth just didn’t seem to be working. On the surface it’s fine. There were a lot of moments however, that I felt I shouldn’t have been discovered in, and it’s those that let the game down.

The world of Tsushima has kept me gong though. I can’t think of another game world that compares to it. Or one that comes close to the level of beauty and depth found here. This game explores every facet of Japanese culture. Best of all, it doesn’t do it in a way that feels fake or cringe-worthy. The game is respectful of its source material, even when it has fun with it.

What Sucker Punch has made here is a game that will stand the test of time. A PlayStation 5 release wouldn’t be surprising. I also certainly wouldn’t be surprised if a sequel comes along in a few years. This is a huge leap forward from the Infamous games, but its one that I’m happy to say does the PlayStation 4 justice, right at the end of its life cycle.

Just as you’d light a stick of incense in memory of someone who has been lost. This game is a burning reminder of what the PlayStation 4 has been about. It’s an incredible journey and experience that goes way beyond the core story. It attaches itself to your heart. Finally, it makes you ache for a world that may well never exist outside of games ever again.

Tags: Ghost of TsushimaSucker Punch
ShareTweetShare
Previous Post

Avengers Beta Impressions

Next Post

PS5 Debate/Discussion: Is it Worth the Time?

Subscribe
Connect with
Login
I allow to create an account
When you login first time using a Social Login button, we collect your account public profile information shared by Social Login provider, based on your privacy settings. We also get your email address to automatically create an account for you in our website. Once your account is created, you'll be logged-in to this account.
DisagreeAgree
Notify of
guest
The comment form collects your name, email and content to allow us to keep track of the comments placed on the website. Please read and accept our website Terms and Privacy Policy to post a comment.
Save my name, email, and website in this browser cookies for the next time I comment.

I allow to create an account
When you login first time using a Social Login button, we collect your account public profile information shared by Social Login provider, based on your privacy settings. We also get your email address to automatically create an account for you in our website. Once your account is created, you'll be logged-in to this account.
DisagreeAgree
guest
The comment form collects your name, email and content to allow us to keep track of the comments placed on the website. Please read and accept our website Terms and Privacy Policy to post a comment.
Save my name, email, and website in this browser cookies for the next time I comment.

0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

BAGOGAMES WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

Get this week's top news, reviews, guides, videos and opinion for your favorite games, movies, TV and tech in your email every Friday.

Don't worry, we don't spam.

BagoGames

BagoGames.com © 2020 BagoGames LLC. All rights reserved.

Navigate Site

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Staff Directory
  • Join Our Team
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertise
  • Newsletter
  • RSS Feeds
  • Discord Server
  • BG Store
  • OpenCritic
  • green man gaming
  • Logitech G
  • GAMIVO.com
  • ASTRO Gaming
  • Logitech
  • Namecheap Hosting
  • Nord VPN
  • Best Buy
  • Blue Mic
  • Reviews
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Guides

Follow Us

Social icon element need JNews Essential plugin to be activated.
  • Login
  • Sign Up
No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Opinion
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Geek Culture
  • Previews
  • Guides
  • Short Videos
  • Forum
  • Site Info
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Join Our Team
    • Staff Directory
    • Privacy Policy
    • Newsletter
    • RSS Feeds

BagoGames.com © 2020 BagoGames LLC. All rights reserved.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
wpDiscuz