Ghost of Tsushima: Best Mythic Tales, Ranked

As a seasoned samurai who has traversed the winding paths of Tsushima Island, I must say that my personal favorite among the Mythic Tales is undoubtedly The Six Blades of Kojiro. This tale, introduced during Act II, captures the essence of Akira Kurosawa’s epic films and offers a combat experience that is unparalleled in the Ghost of Tsushima universe.

Narrative expression, be it through song or performance by storytellers, has always played a vital role in human society.

In the game Ghost of Tsushima, the musician Yamato weaves tales into being via the creation of Mythic Tales.

In the game, you’ll find a myriad of unique Stories, ranging from Jin Sakai’s individual quest to the requirements of the people in Tsushima Island.

In essence, the stories we call Mythic Tales often stem from legendary accounts. These tales typically culminate in a remarkable prize following an equally extraordinary journey ordeal.

Yamato’s tales are remarkable, skillfully portraying legends in their full splendor to the extent that Jin, finding them fascinating, delves into each one for further exploration.

Nine unique Mythic Stories, clearly denoted by blue markers on the map, can be found. Seven of these stories unfold on the primary island of Tsushima, while the remaining two are situated in the DLC for Iki Island.

Among the many captivating Mythic Tales, there are some that truly stand out, adorned with beautiful traditional sumi-e art depicting each narrative. These tales are so extraordinary that they deserve special recognition.

11 The Legacy of Kazumasa Sakai

A Tale of Cycles and Honor

Prerequisite Journey into the Past
Reward
  • Moderate Legend Increase
  • Sakai Horse Armor

The Story of Kazumasa Sakai is among the two Mythic Tales found on Iki Island, and it features an exclusive element not present in other tales: Jin must not don the Armor associated with the Sakai Clan, before he can start. Given Iki Island’s past connection with the Sakai Clan, this detail seems fitting.

This Tale underscores Jin’s enmity, for unlike in Tsushima, the antipathy here is deeply personal, orchestrated by Kazumasa Sakai, who is none other than Jin’s father. Notably, it’s the people of Iki Island who ultimately bring about Kazumasa’s death, a calculated act of vengeance that chills to the bone.

In this narrative, we find that it primarily delves into the intricacies of Kazumasa’s steed, rather than Kazumasa himself. Particularly, it highlights the unyielding armor that enshrouds his horse. Despite this focus, the underlying themes of inheritance and disrupting the endless chain of needless aggression remain prominent.

Obtaining the Sakai Horse Armor can be quite challenging due to its requirements, such as listening in on vigilant and potentially hostile beings. However, once you have it, Jin will be able to charge headlong into crowds using a powerful attack, knocking back enemies and even outright killing some.

The game is enjoyable to play, but since there isn’t much emphasis on horse battles, it’s primarily used only for starting a fight, and not used extensively for anything else.

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9 The Undying Flame

Spice Up Jin’s Katana … Literally

Prerequisite Honor and Ash
Reward
  • Way of the Flame ability
  • Izanami’s Gift Sword Kit
  • Moderate Legend Increase

The final Mythic Tale commonly tackled by players is usually “The Eternal Flame,” which appears exclusively in Act III (the Kamiagata Region). More precisely, this tale unfolds atop the frosty Mount Jogaku within the Jogaku district.

In a chilly nook at the mountain’s foot, Jin encounters Yamato who is shivering uncontrollably. Once warmed by the blaze lit by Jin, he narrates the tale of the Flame Path talent, mentioning that the last remnants are found in Bettomaru’s dojo on Mount Jogaku’s peak. However, there’s a catch: it’s so frigid that survival is impossible.

Trekking a mountain can be as perilous as actual mountain climbing, with the chill biting deep into your flesh and penetrating your breath. Regrettably, much like true mountaineering, it’s quite simple to get lost and meet an untimely end, particularly if Jin doesn’t manage to warm himself near a fire on time.

As a dedicated fan, I must say that the “Way of the Flame” skill, which enables Jin to ignite his sword, is undeniably an exhilarating addition to the game, even making the hike worthwhile. However, it’s unfortunate that this ability isn’t introduced earlier in the game, as it primarily comes into play during the latter Tales and in New Game+, rather than enhancing my gaming experience throughout the entire story.

Put simply, engaging adversaries with their own tactics can bring a thrill. If Jin has inflammable liquid at hand, a single spark could ignite the pampas grass, potentially affecting everyone nearby.

8 The Unbreakable Gosaku

Introducing the Farmsteads

Prerequisite A New Horizon
Reward
  • Moderate Legend Increase
  • Gosaku’s Armor

As Act II (Toyotama Region) commences, the Izuhara Region experiences a surge in Mongol aggression. Their focus shifts to farmlands, breweries, and coastal villages, causing the epic tale known as The Indomitable Gosaku to become accessible.

In an exhilarating narrative, I share the tale of a valiant farmer named Gosaku who daringly confronted a ruthless gang of bandits while wearing armor he hadn’t rightfully claimed – the armor of a samurai.

Overwhelmed by his bravery, the indomitable spirit of a samurai propelled him forward, leading him to triumph. In the years that followed, after his passing, the farming communities safeguarded his armor, each homestead possessing a key until the appropriate moment arrived.

After that, Jin needs to gather six keys from six different locations: Aoi Village, Iijima Farmstead, Yuta Farmstead, Koshimizu Farmstead, Omaha Fishing Village, and Yagata Farmstead. As he frees each area, the family will provide him with a key. Once he has all six, he can then pursue and take possession of the armor.

Later on, Jin successfully acquires Gosaku’s Armor, an exceptional set in the game that specializes in stunning opponents and confronting them directly. This engaging adventure offers a reward that matches its entertainment value, but requires players to invest a reasonable amount of time to complete it.

7 The Legend of Tadayori

An Archer’s Ideal Tale

Prerequisite
  • The Tale of Lady Masako
  • The Tale of Ryuzo
  • The Tale of Sensei Ishikawa
Reward
  • Moderate Legend Increase
  • Tadayori’s Armor

Among the initial Mythic Stories presented once you embark on the main plot (and those involving multiple characters), The Legend of Tadayori stands out as a thrilling journey for archers. It centers around the quest to discover Tadayori’s Armor, an exceptional collection specifically designed for archery contests.

In this storyline, players journey to discover Tadayori’s Rest, a breathtaking location within the game. Following a trail of lavender blossoms on an awe-inspiring mountain range, they eventually stumble upon the grave site of Tadayori and other notable figures from the Nagao Clan. Following this, Jin must engage in a battle with the last surviving member of the clan, Kaede, before she discloses the location of Tadayori’s Armor.

Although archery may not be the main aspect of the game, it offers extensive utility and is particularly useful for silent takedowns at a distance. Moreover, as Jin’s abilities progress, so does his potential mastery of archery.

It’s an enjoyable and uncomplicated introduction to the game, perfect for beginners who are learning both the rules and their archery skills.

6 The Spirit of Yarikawa’s Vengeance

The Ghost vs The Spirit

Prerequisite A New Horizon
Reward
  • Dance of Wrath ability
  • Omukade’s Revenge sword kit

Occasionally, Mythic Tales may not grant Jin new armor or weapon upgrades. Instead, they can enhance his swordsmanship, making him nearly indistinguishable from a supernatural warrior in battle.

For The Spirit of Yarikawa’s Vengeance, it bestows the Dance of Wrath skill, a deadly strike that can wipe out any unfortunate individual in its path. Furthermore, this Tale coincides with Jin’s Journey in Yarikawa, making everything feel brand new and exciting.

As I, the gamer, embarked on this journey, I found myself following the rumored spirit of Yarikawa and its chosen targets. A cloud of white smoke at the altar pointed me to my next objective. Little did I know, I’d soon become a target myself, facing off against this powerful spirit in a fateful duel. The entire town of Yarikawa held their breath as they watched, their eyes glued to the outcome. In the end, with grit and determination, I managed to emerge victorious from that intense battle.

This Story seamlessly complements Jin’s tale within Yarikawa. Reading it prior to Jin’s journey in Yarikawa provides exclusive dialogue that makes it a must-read.

5 The Heavenly Strike

The First Mythic Tale

Prerequisite Prologue
Reward
  • Moderate Legend Increase
  • Heavenly Strike ability
  • Heavenly Falcon sword kit

The first ever Mythic Tale that became available to players is the Tale of the Heavenly Strike, which is still one of the most useful abilities in the entire game. The Tale revolves around searching for a former samurai-now-murderer, Yasuhira Koga, and learning his deadly Heavenly Strike ability.

As the initial Mythic Tale, it may not be overly complex, but it certainly presents an engaging quest involving locating the elusive white blooms to track and capture him. Fortunately, the locations are nearby, making it relatively straightforward for players to grasp the general flow of these stories.

In a confrontation against Koga, Jin manages to acquire his unique skill during their fight, enabling him to adjust his fighting style and exhibit impressive sword techniques. As a result, Koga can no longer take lives, thereby delaying the Mongol advancement further.

In simpler terms, this Legendary Story is truly unforgettable, and the Celestial Blow is an exceptional skill that requires just one point of Power to activate. It’s absolutely worth acquiring for players as quickly as possible.

4 The Curse of Uchitsune

Implementing Yokai is Intriguing

Prerequisite
  • The Tale of Lady Masako
  • The Tale of Ryuzo
  • The Tale of Sensei Ishikawa
Reward
  • Moderate Legend Increase
  • Explosive Arrows
  • Longbow

The last remaining Mythic Tale in the Izuhara region is also one of the most visually unique and stunning: The Curse of Uchitsune. To put it bluntly, this Tale is just outright cool, especially with the reoccurring Tengu yokai motifs.

In this storyline, we follow Jin’s quest to uncover Uchitsune’s Enchanted Longbow, rumored to be under a curse. A figure wearing a Tengu mask, known as a demon within the game, persistently interferes with Jin’s search, yet his efforts prove futile, ultimately leading to a confrontation in the form of a Duel.

In this duel, you’ll find one of the most thrilling scenes in the entire game, featuring swarms of birds surrounding the combatants, trapping them within a ring that appears tinged with blood-red. With the exception of legendary encounters, this battle is the closest approximation to fighting a yokai the game offers, adding an extra layer of memorability to the experience.

Furthermore, the Longbow is exceptionally potent when wielded by archers, boasting explosive and armored-piercing arrows. It’s little surprise then, by the game’s conclusion, Jin has earned a reputation as being more than human, akin to a mythical entity.

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2 The Legend of Black Hand Riku

Pure Monkey Business

Prerequisite Journey into the Past
Reward
  • Moderate Legend Increase
  • Sarugami Armor

The Legend of Black Hand Riku is the best Mythic Tale for the Iki Island DLC. It’s available after finding Fune’s Refuge, when Jin is able to overhear Kashira telling one of his legendary stories.

The swashbuckling adventure, Legend of Black Hand Riku, abounds with action, laughter, and a significant focus on piracy. It offers an exceptional reward – the powerful Sarugami Armor – one of the top armor sets within the game. This armor enhancement significantly expands Jin’s Perfect Parry and Perfect Dodge opportunities, ensuring he will no longer be vulnerable to any more attacks.

Delving into the depths of a mysterious, shadowy cavern offers its own unique thrill, as you navigate twisting passages and listen to the dripping of water resonate around you. In many ways, it’s akin to embarking on a treasure hunt, with the promise of hidden riches waiting at your destination.

Absolutely, seizing the armor doesn’t conclude the quest; instead, it provokes Kashira and his minions to attempt to pilfer it, thus providing an excellent chance to put these intriguing new skills to the test. It’s worth noting that they weren’t anticipating the katana’s arrival.

1 The Six Blades of Kojiro

Stunning Duels and Kurosawa Combat

Prerequisite A New Horizon
Reward
  • Moderate Legend Increase
  • Kensei Armor

Among all the captivating myths found in Ghost of Tsushima, undeniably the most thrilling and gratifying one is the tale of The Six Blades of Kojiro, which appears in Act II. This story revolves around a wandering swordsman named Kojiro, who has vowed to slay Jin Sakai.

For this task, he enlists five additional masterless samurai to engage in combat with him, requiring Jin to eliminate each one before facing Kojiro. In other words, the entire journey is composed of duels, each one being an exciting spectacle.

Each duel offers epic battles and scenic backdrops akin to legendary Akira Kurosawa movies, with stories and performances that recall timeless classics. Every location stands out, offering a unique and unforgettable experience, making players savor the journey so much that they barely notice the final prize because they’re having such a blast.

The prize, incidentally, is the exceptional Kensei Armor, primarily boosting Ghost Weapons. Yet, the real treasure lies in completing the game, as it grants the opportunity for repeated Duel challenges.

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2024-12-03 18:39