The Cardinal Sins of Ghost of Tsushima Explained

by

The following contains minor spoilers for Ghost of Tsushima.

Ghost of Tsushima, undeniably, ranks among the greatest games in contemporary times and has taken many by surprise. In essence, it seemed to emerge unexpectedly in 2020, even amidst the COVID pandemic. Few may have anticipated that Ghost of Tsushima would achieve such success, but it did so nonetheless, laying the groundwork for the upcoming release of Ghost of Yotei later this year. To this day, it continues to be a rewarding gaming experience, particularly for those who decide to revisit it before the next installment arrives.

In general, the game Ghost of Tsushima provides a spacious and unrestricted gaming experience that doesn’t make players feel confined within its boundaries. Yet, just like any other game, it carries its own inherent flaws or “cardinal sins,” which are essentially guidelines about certain actions the player should avoid during gameplay.

What Players Should Avoid Doing in Ghost of Tsushima

Treating Stealth as Optional

One significant flaw in Ghost of Tsushima is that stealth isn’t always necessary, which goes against its essence. Although not every player enjoys stealth gameplay, it plays a pivotal role in this game’s mechanics and storyline. The protagonist, Jin Sakai, was brought up to adhere to the samurai code, which necessitates facing enemies face-to-face before striking them down. However, when Tsushima Island is overrun by Mongols, leaving little hope for its people, Jin assumes the Ghost persona, a figure who dishonorably strikes from the shadows, in an attempt to free the island.

Mostly, the game Ghost of Tsushima lets players savor the experience without feeling confined within boundaries set by the game itself.

In the story of Ghost of Tsushima, the Mongol invasion serves as a significant conflict, but it’s not just this external battle that matters. A deeper, internal struggle exists between Jin and his uncle, Lord Shimura, which may even be more crucial. While Shimura urges Jin to forsake the Ghost’s principles and revert to traditional samurai honor, Jin believes his role as the Ghost of Tsushima is vital in repelling the Mongol invasion. This disagreement is a recurring theme throughout the game and plays a significant part in shaping Jin’s character growth. Essentially, discarding stealth altogether would weaken the essence and purpose behind the story.

Ignoring the Guiding Wind

Instead of many open-world games that rely on conventional navigation like a compass or mini-map, Ghost of Tsushima offers a more engaging way to guide players to their objectives. The unique feature in this game is the Guiding Wind, which serves as its highlight. This wind-based system frequently blows through the landscape to direct players towards their designated waypoint or quest objective. What makes Guiding Wind particularly effective is that players can activate it on demand if they lose their bearings. It’s worth noting that overreliance on the map screen or fast-traveling too often may detach players from one of Ghost of Tsushima‘s most immersive aspects.

Using the Same Playstyle for the Whole Game

While stealth might be a key aspect of Ghost of Tsushima‘s gameplay and narrative, it doesn’t mean that players should disregard the various playstyles the game presents. Instead of only relying on stealth, players can opt for a more direct approach in combat situations and display chivalry, true to the spirit of a samurai. However, it’s also worth noting that Jin Sakai is proficient with a bow, making long-range attacks an efficient method for thinning enemy ranks before engaging in close combat. In essence, players should keep in mind the diverse playstyles at their disposal and use them based on the given situation.

Ghost of Tsushima remains impressive today due to the skillful integration of its mechanics with its themes. Essentially, the game’s stealth elements are not mandatory, and players can choose to disregard the Guiding Wind or lean too much on a single playstyle, but such approaches may contradict the game’s intentions. These design decisions, though seemingly minor, are actually integral aspects of the narrative. Players who understand this are more likely to fully appreciate the experiences that Ghost of Tsushima continues to provide, especially with the upcoming release of Ghost of Yotei in September.

Read More

2025-06-01 13:37