Summary
Ghost of Tsushimafollows the adventures of Jin Sakai as he tries to defend his homeland against the incoming Mongol invasion. This forces him to learn new combat tactics that go against the code of honor he was taught growing up. This leaves him with a dilemma of whether to stick to what he knows or become the infamous “ghost of Tsushima.”
Ghost of Tsushimais a violent, bloody game, but it’s also jaw-droppingly beautiful. As players roam the map, they are treated to hyperrealistic environments that never fail to enchant. Though this is appreciated, there are a few problems that come with the art style which the sequel should consider.
The Lifespan of Ghost of Tsushima’s Hyperrealism
There’s no denying thatGhost of Tsushimais a gorgeous game with a variety of environments ranging from pink fields of flowers to desolate, burned-down forests. All of it is rendered so hyperrealistically that the environment even reacts realistically to the blowing wind. The result is beautiful renditions ofTsushima and Iki islandthat are just begging for photo mode to be used obsessively.
There is one problem that arises, however. Hyperrealism has a short lifespan. As technology improves,games get more photorealistic, and what seemed hypperrealistic in the past suddenly looks quite dated. That hasn’t happened yet toGhost of Tsushima, but it is the future the game has to look forward to.
The Inspiration Behind Ghost of Tsushima’s Environments
Developers drew a lot of inspiration from Chanbara films when designing the environments. Hence, there is constant movement, whether it be blowing dust or rising smoke. The team also looked to games likeBreath of the WildandShadow of the Colossusto achieve a minimalist yet photorealistic landscape.
How Ghost of Tsushima’s Sequel Can Switch Up Its Art Style
Photorealism isn’t necessary for a game to have a memorable art style. There are titles likeThe Simsthat opt for a more cartoonish appearance, orgames likeOkamithat look like water-painted artcome to life. All these techniques exhibit creativity and ensure that the game’s visuals do not age too quickly.
Ghost of Tsushimawould look just as amazing, if not more, with a stylized art style that doesn’t obsess over hyperrealism. However, the shift away from photorealism is seldom seen in the AAA scene, where it is the standard. For this reason, it is unlikely that the sequel will drift away from its hyperrealism and instead, it will double down.
The Visual Cues of Ghost of Tsushima’s World
Thehyperrealism ofGhost of Tsushimawasn’t a lazy move, and the design of the landscape is very deliberate. Thanks to the design, players can navigate without an obtrusive HUD or by constantly consulting the map.Ghost of Tsushimafeatures smokestacks that lead players to enemy camps and side activities. Foxes and golden birds lead players to interesting locations, and if players ever get lost, there’s the guiding wind to put them back on track.
Ghost of Tsushimais currently one of the most visually stunning games available on the PS5, and the different biomes each bring their unique beauty to the table. This doesn’t mean that hyperrealism is the only way to go, as it is an art style that ages rather quickly. Nevertheless, it is unlikely that the franchise will back down now, especially when it is competing with other hyperrealistic triple-A games.
Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut
WHERE TO PLAY
In the late 13th century, the Mongol empire has laid waste to entire nations along their campaign to conquer the East. Tsushima Island is all that stands between mainland Japan and a massive Mongol invasion fleet led by the ruthless and cunning general, Khotun Khan.As the island burns in the wake of the first wave of the Mongol assault, courageous samurai warrior Jin Sakai stands resolute. As one of the last surviving members of his clan, Jin is resolved to do whatever it takes, at any cost, to protect his people and reclaim his home. He must set aside the traditions that have shaped him as a warrior to forge a new path, the path of the Ghost, and wage an unconventional war for the freedom of Tsushima.
