Almost 4 years after its launch on PS4, Sucker Punch lastly introduced what appeared inevitable – Ghost of Tsushima is coming to PC. The Director’s Lower is launching on Could sixteenth and consists of the bottom sport, the Iki Island growth and a bunch of goodies for individuals who pre-purchase. The announcement was rumored only a few days prior from a now-suspended Twitter profile – which we’ll get again to later – however it’s been a very long time coming.
When Ghost of Tsushima launched, it bought over 2.4 million copies within the first three days, finally crossing 5 million bought within the first month. It grew to become the fastest-selling first-party IP debut for the PlayStation 4 and bought a whopping 9.7 million models as of July 2022. Not content material with being among the finest open-world video games ever made (which nonetheless holds to today), Sucker Punch additionally launched an outstanding co-op multiplayer mode in the identical 12 months – Ghost of Tsushima: Legends. It obtained in depth assist, finally spinning off right into a standalone title.
Given its crucial and business success and the way well-regarded it stays, you need to ask at this level: The place is Ghost of Tsushima 2? No, actually, the place is it?
Once you suppose again to PlayStation’s different massive hits – like Marvel’s Spider-Man and God of Warfare – each titles would obtain sequels practically 5 years later. Sport growth differs from studio to studio, however bulletins for follow-ups to each titles arrived about three to 4 years later. Ghost of Tsushima took roughly six years to develop, however we’ve identified about Sucker Punch Productions hiring new builders since October 2020. A job itemizing for a Narrative Author requested for an “wonderful understanding of how you can inform impactful, character-driven tales inside a AAA open-world sport.”
It was adopted by one other job itemizing for a Fight Designer in January 2021, with the requirement stating, “Should have performed Ghost of Tsushima and perceive its core fight programs” You would say that each had been for Ghost of Tsushima Legends and even the Iki Island growth that arrived in August 2021 alongside the Director’s Lower. It’s a stretch, however we’ll go together with it for now.
There’s nonetheless the odd actuality that PlayStation Studios has introduced no follow-up, a lot much less hinted at one, for a multi-million-selling first-party title. Nonetheless, it feels all of the more odd for Ghost of Tsushima as a result of it’s a brand new IP with tons of untapped potential.
It’s straightforward to overlook how good the sport is, particularly in spite of everything these years. The story of Jin Sakai, a samurai combating to guard the island of Tsushima from a Mongol invasion, resonates strongly. Bested by a superior pressure that isn’t afraid to make use of dishonorable ways, Jin drifts away from his samurai code, using extra stealth and assassination strategies to take down targets. It’s an inner battle that bites at him, alongside the lack of his father throughout his childhood.
In fact, Jin is just one a part of the narrative. There are a number of supporting characters, every with narrative quest chains including way more taste to the world and setting. Yuna, a thief who saved Jin’s life and seeks to depart Tsushima; Masako, the only survivor of the Adachi clan on a quest for vengeance; Sadanobu Ishikawa, a well-known archer who will not be as honorable as he appears – the checklist goes on, and it’s a trip from begin to end.
Even for those who ignore the unimaginable story and characters, Ghost of Tsushima is only a well-made, well-rounded open-world expertise. The island of Tsushima provided a number of large areas to discover, and whereas it featured just a few cliches like enemy-occupied areas to liberate, the general exploration is extra natural. You would observe foxes and birds to find factors of curiosity. Liberating settlements would open up new facet quests with their very own distinctive tales. Rumors may crop up throughout your journey, permitting you to pursue new armor units and strategies.
Bamboo Strikes are a intelligent “Simon Says” type mini-game for rising your max Resolve. Torii Gates led to distinctive platforming challenges for unlocking charms to specialize your construct. You would even idle at a location and compose haikus, inscribing them on headbands that Jin can put on. There are even sizzling springs to extend your most well being that additionally function a degree of introspection for Jin’s previous and current.
Each motion all through contributes to rising your legend, turning Jin from a famend samurai lord to a fearsome entity that seemingly defies the confines of the actual world. All of it sounds so easy, but the way in which it’s woven collectively is unimaginable.
On high of all that is the fight. There was some concern, particularly after its E3 2018 exhibiting. Nonetheless, using Stances – with every being advantageous in opposition to completely different enemy sorts – and the seamless integration of Ghost Instruments made for an addictive expertise. Plus, you might name out enemies and face them head-on reasonably than sneaking round – the final word show of energy. The duels are maybe the largest spotlight, testing your fortitude and abilities in dodging and parrying (or how shortly you’ll be able to finish the combat along with your strongest Resolve strategies).
Gross sales apart, Ghost of Tsushima additionally had a very good crucial response with an 83 Metascore for the PS4 model and an 87 Metascore for the Director’s Lower on PS5. If nothing else, it’s additionally been a optimistic for different samurai-related titles. Like a Dragon: Ishin! developer affirmed that the sport’s success gave the RGG Studio the arrogance to deliver its title to the USA after solely being accessible in Japan for PS3 and PS4.
Sony hasn’t given any indication {that a} sequel is within the works. It’s targeted on the upcoming Ghost of Tsushima live-action movie, which isn’t a nasty factor (particularly because it’s directed by Chad Stahelski of John Wick fame). With the writer stating that it wouldn’t launch any main video games in present PlayStation franchises earlier than April 2025, there’s seemingly little hope in a sequel coming any time quickly.
Nonetheless, that is the place the rumors are available in. The identical one that alleged that Ghost of Tsushima is coming to PC additionally claimed that the sequel can be introduced at an upcoming PlayStation Showcase in Could or June. It could have appeared farfetched, to start with, however with the PC model confirmed, this rumor is trying all of the extra credible.
In any case, what higher strategy to drum up hype for a sequel than to introduce it to a complete new participant base, by no means thoughts reminding followers why it’s so good within the first place? If introduced this 12 months, it’s all of the extra believable that it might arrive in late Summer time or early Fall of 2025.
Regardless of the case, Sony have to be effectively conscious of how a lot of a breakout hit the primary sport is. With its live-service method slowly being pared down, it in all probability is aware of the significance of single-player narrative titles greater than ever. Because the PS5 enters the latter half of its life cycle and rumors of a PS5 Professional run rampant, many titles will serve to showcase the console’s energy. Right here’s hoping that Ghost of Tsushima 2 is one in every of them.
