Ghost of Tsushima is a masterful combination of historical action, open-world exploration, and deep storytelling designed by Sucker Punch Productions. Set in 1274, during the Mongol invasion of Tsushima Island, it tells the story of Jin Sakai-a samurai forced to save his island home by doubting his values.


The game starts with the ruinous Mongol invasion, which exposes weaknesses of the samurai culture entailed in its rigid code of honor. The protagonist, Jin Sakai, was a classic samurai who had been taught to fight with honor and integrity, to always face his enemies directly and openly. But in response to the Mongols' brutal disposition, Jin soon realizes that he cannot defeat the invaders with honor.

One could recognize moral tension in how Jin changed himself: in order to save his people, he had to give up the adamant traditions instilled in his childhood, embracing the ways of the "Ghost": stealth, sham appearances, and terror practices. Such a change does not come without its consequences: his uncle, Lord Shimura, labels him a treacherous dog that brings dishonor to his family, and Jin struggles with his inner turmoil due to the betrayal of samurai ideals.

The story throws up a host of questions: whether the abandonment of moral ethics can ever be right in order to reach a higher good, whether traditions are to be upheld where those very traditions threaten the people concerned. Deep within the narrative, deeper even within levels of thoughtfulness which a player may give to this game, lie these themes.


This is where the gameplay shows Jin's moral dilemma so aptly. Be honorable as a samurai: openly dueling and fighting head-on, or be the Ghost through stealth, poison, and psychological warfare.

Combat's balanced perfectly between accessibility and depth. Stance-switching adds further layers of strategy, while mastery of parries and dodges becomes hugely rewarding. Of course, equally pleasing is the stealth gameplay; the dismantling of enemy encampments is amazingly precise and strategic.
The world of Tsushima is beautifully crafted, come alive from golden fields and bamboo forests to shrines so serenely calm, with everything beautiful, unique, and a great pleasure to explore with secrets tucked away behind every bend, breathtaking vistas, and engrossing side quests organically integrated into the natural environment.

Presented very well, both visually and audibly, special notice being given to "Kurosawa Mode," a black-and-white filter put in the game as a nod toward classic Japanese samurai movies. An artistic touch that adds to the overall feel, planting the player deep into Feudal Japan.

Ghost of Tsushima isn't an entertainment piece, but rather a discreet quest into a subjectively complex theme. At its core, there is a fight between tradition and innovation, the struggle to save one's face against existential threats. There are no simple answers, though; the transformation of Jin will save Tsushima, but will alienate him from samurai and common folk alike, making him a hero and an outcast.

And this is a universal dilemma; therefore, this is a real struggle of humanity, trying to balance principles with pragmatism in dire times.


Ghost of Tsushima is more of a work of art, with its dramatic storytelling, entertaining gameplay, and an open-world breathtakingly wide. It tells the story about how far one can go in saving his close people and motherland and what the price will be that the people have to pay for such choices.

This game is very suitable for anyone who enjoys deep stories with beautiful worlds and tough moral choices that continue to haunt them well after the credits roll.

Grade: 9/10

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