Nuno Recommends Ghost of Tsushima: A Cinematic Samurai Epic

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This year, I wanted to start writing more about games I truly love, and this article might be a bit different than what I usually publish. If you’re mainly interested in strategy and war games, I get it if this doesn’t immediately grab you, but I hope you’ll give it a try – I think we can still find common ground.

What is Ghost of Tsushima?

Ghost of Tsushima is an open-world action-adventure game created by Sucker Punch Productions and Nixxes Software, and released by PlayStation. The game is set in Japan during the first Mongol invasion. Players control Jin Sakai, the leader of the Sakai clan, following the death of his father while growing up on Iki Island. The story starts at Komoda Beach, where the samurai of Tsushima Island face the invading Mongol army, but are quickly defeated.

Jin Sakai is among the few samurai who lived through the initial Mongol invasion, saved by Yuna, who quickly became his trusted ally. Now, Jin must build an army to drive the Mongols out of Tsushima and defeat Khotun Khan, their clever and ruthless leader.

A True Samurai Epic

I don’t want to give away any details, because the story is truly the highlight of Ghost of Tsushima – and that’s saying something, considering I don’t always prioritize stories in games. It’s not that I dislike them, but many games have stories that are either too long or needlessly complicated, and I end up losing focus.

Ghost of Tsushima tells the story of Jin, a samurai lord who evolves into the legendary ‘Ghost’ – a heroic figure known for fighting the Mongol invaders using unconventional methods. Throughout his journey, Jin struggles with difficult moral choices, questioning whether to uphold the strict code of the samurai or prioritize the well-being of the people he’s sworn to protect. The game beautifully portrays Jin’s transformation and his eventual acceptance of his new role. The plot is full of unexpected twists and genuinely moving moments, and I was completely invested in the story; it was so compelling that I felt helpless when tragic events unfolded, demonstrating how immersive the narrative truly is.

Cinematic, High-Stakes Combat

I talked with some friends – all dedicated Souls game players who’ve beaten them multiple times – and most agreed the game’s combat is really well done. You play as a samurai, and your katana is your primary weapon throughout the entire game.

Players also have access to a smaller sword, the wakizashi, for quiet moments. Alongside swords, you’ll find bows and helpful items like throwing stars and smoke bombs. The fighting feels a lot like the Batman games, but with unique additions. Some attacks can’t be blocked – you have to dodge them – and perfectly timed blocks are crucial. You’ll also need to change how you fight depending on the enemy to break their defenses and create openings. It’s an enjoyable system, but most importantly, it really captures the feel of being a samurai in an action movie, which is exactly what I was hoping for.

An Entire Island To Explore

While the main story is strong, the game also offers many side quests, though they don’t quite reach the level of quality seen in games like The Witcher 3. What really stands out is the beautiful scenery – Ghost of Tsushima has incredible art design. I especially enjoyed the quests focused on finding unique gear, each with its own backstory and interesting obstacles.

I finally got around to playing Ghost of Tsushima, and I highly recommend it! It’s been on my list for a while, and it turned out to be one of the most enjoyable gaming experiences I’ve had in a long time.

I really wanted to share my thoughts on Ghost of Tsushima with you all, even though it’s a bit different from the games we usually cover at Firaxis. I hope you enjoyed it! Have you had a chance to play Ghost of Tsushima yourself? I’d love to hear what you think in the comments!

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2026-02-17 17:43