Ghost of Tsushima - my thoughts while I play (open spoilers as I progress)

The Game Room
1

I’m about 9 hours into this game and really enjoying its vibe. I think of it as a “putz around and do stuff on the map” type of game, mixed in of course with some real missions/levels that have been good so far.

No one can beat the past two Zelda games for open world design, but I think GoT is an excellent open world game. It communicates a lot of information to the player without resorting to sticking big arrows on the map pointing.

Let’s see, I am still in the first main area. I’ve leveled up my sword/armor once or twice. I am using the Samurai Armor I got during a mission when I am in battle and the traveler cloak I got somewhere when I wander the map(it expands the fog of war more).

I have encountered a couple “red” cities under Mongol control that I actually can not free. One was totally empty, no good or bad humans in it. Weird.

I did one blue mission that got me a Heavenly Strike attack. Do these use my “resolve” as fuel of sorts? It’s massively powerful.

In terms of equipment, I have throwing knives, sticky bombs, and even got some fire arrows recently.

It’s got a great mood and I really appreciate how modern it is in terms of user-friendliness. I never am clueless about what to do or where to go, though I did have to do the classic “search the circular area on the map” more than once, and one time it was really dark.

Fun game so far. I have yet to progress my gold story-missions much past the first couple of phases. I will, but I’ve been enjoying walking/riding around and finding things to do.

Oh, runs excellent on Steam Deck. I’d say 99% of the time it is at least 30FPS or better, with just an extremely occasional slow moment, sometimes while mounting my horse and taking off fast. Seems like a great PC port.

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2

When it comes to these types of games I’m a bit of a completionist. And as with many of these types of games if you do all the side quests you will be very strong by the end of the game. The one thing I bypassed were the archery challenges which I found to be frustratingly impossible on console. Maybe it’s easier on PC.

3

I won’t be doing 100% of the stuff, but I do tend to stop at any interesting thing along the way.

4

Most of the side quests are interesting in their own way. Some of the challenges can get a bit tedious.

5

Something you can do if you find you’re having trouble with the Bamboo Strike, as I was, is to remove the time limit in the Options menu.

6

I’ve only encountered about three of these despite wandering around. I need to pay better attention.

I have been doing some story missions today and just saved and quit after getting the grappling hook. I’m hoping actually this will help me up cliffs, not just down. Love this game, but I have been going up and down cliffs a lot. It’s slower than needed and I even have the “roll out of your jump” option when I land hard.

Anyway, fun game.

I didn’t realize this would be of the Assassin’s Creed variant. This is a lot better than the AC games I’ve played, though. I played AC 2 and its two sequels, along with Black Flag(game 4).

What I like about Ghost is that when I fail in following someone or in a stealth mission, it has been very generous and only putting me back a little bit instead of, you know, total mission failure and all the way back. Amen!

7

I freed the Uncle today, having done as many side-quests as I found. I did two “blue missions”, which are like legendary stories. Got an attack and an armor.

I would say this feels like a major segment done. I just saved and quit with what looks like some access to the northern region.

16 hours so far.

8

Yes, Act II just appeared on screen.

I kind of really like this game a lot, maybe even love it. It’s the best Assassin’s Creed game I’ve played…and it isn’t one.

9

I finished Act 2 of the game and the final major couple of missions of that were two of the best sequences, action wise, I’ve played in a game in a very long time. Maybe ever.

I had decent expectations for this game, but it has really surpassed them. It’s a high quality game in almost all areas. I could easily see someone getting to 70-100 hours in it, though I doubt I will. I’m at about 30 hours and don’t know how long Act 3 lasts.

Anyway, if you were unsure about this game, get it. It’s great. I paid under $40 and I bet soon it will be even cheaper.

10

Did you do Iki Island, or are you saving it for last like I did?

11

I have not touched it. I’m not sure if I’ll do it or stop after the main game. I’m liking the game, but can’t decide if I want another region, etc.

Definitely not going there now, though.

12

It’s difficult. The enemies are hard to kill before taking out the shamans.

13

Don’t. It’s designed to be done later. If you are a low level it will be difficult to impossible to do.

14

I just finished the main game. 37 hours to the end.

I chose to kill the Uncle as it seem to fit the story best.

I am going to quit, but leave it installed. Might come back to DLC.

Does the DLC have its own main narrative or just sidequests?

15

Iki Island has its own narrative.

16

Thanks. I’ll play one or two other games, then come back. I need a break.

Best looking games I’ve played:

Breath of the Wild & Tears of the Kingdom

Witcher 3

Read Dead 2

Ghost of Tsushima

I wish I could go back to 1985 and show kid me how great games look today.

17

Since it hasn’t been mentioned, the sequel is set to be released later this year. It doesn’t appear to be a direct sequel, there will be new protagonist and it’s set a bit later. There will be guns. It’s call Ghost of Yotei.

18

Yeah, I saw that. Chances of it running on my Steam Deck are 50-50.

Hope it’s great.