Highlights
- The decision to spare or kill Lord Shimura sets the stage for a complex sequel with potential future conflicts.
- Jin faces consequences for his choices, becoming a fugitive and traitor, setting up a new journey in a sequel.
- With a power vacuum in Tsushima, new clans and characters could emerge, hinting at future storylines in mainland Japan.
Ghost of Tsushima released in 2020 to massive success, putting players in the shoes of Jin Sakai, one of the last remaining Samurai on his island of Tsushima, fighting to reclaim his home from an expanding Mongolian Empire. Though raised under a strict code of honor by his uncle, Lord Shimura, he would resort to stealth, assassination, and guerrilla warfare to defeat the Mongol army.
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The game's conclusion is open-ended, implying that Jin's story is only just beginning, and rumors that Sucker Punch is already hard at work on a sequel have persisted since. The Mongol invasion was successfully pushed back, but for how long? And what of the many people that Jin met on his journey? Many unanswered questions remain, and should be addressed in a follow-up game.
This article contains spoilers for Ghost of Tsushima
Lord Shimura's Fate
The Consequences Of Jin's Choice
The final choice in the game's story is a difficult one. Jin must decide whether to spare his uncle and guardian's life, or grant him the warrior's death he asks for. Many would likely choose to spare Lord Shimura, but since the decision is up to the players, a sequel would need to consider this.
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Even if he is spared, the two are unlikely to see eye to eye again. Jin broke Lord Shimura's heart when he took the path of the Ghost, rejecting the offer to become Jin Shimura, heir to Tsushima. Their opposing ideologies would likely cause further conflict between them.
Jin Is A Fugitive
A Traitor To The Shogunate
No matter what Jin chooses in the end, and despite being the driving force behind the Mongol defeat, he is considered a traitor to the Shogunate of Japan. His clan, Clan Sakai, is officially dissolved, and his status as a Samurai is no longer recognized. He had no choice but to embrace his role as the Ghost.
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What is next for Jin Sakai? Remnants of the Mongol army still roam the island. In his last breath, the Khan promises another invasion of Tsushima and Japan. It is clear that the Ghost still has work to do, but as an enemy of both Samurai and Mongols, he will need all the allies he can get.
Tomoe
What's Next For The Archer?
Jin accompanied Sensei Ishikawa on his hunt for a rogue student named Tomoe. This prodigy of the bow would betray her teacher and join the Mongols. She would teach them Ishikawa's Way of the Bow, and raid many Japanese villages with them.
It is revealed later that she had little choice in joining the Mongols, and Ishekawa's abrasive personality and teaching methods pushed her away, claiming that she only killed her fellow islanders as an act of mercy. Tomoe would escape Tsushima to start a new life on the Japanese mainland.
Tsushima's Power Vacuum
The Clans Are No More
Before the battle of Komoda Beach, Tsushima was run by five Samurai clans; Shimura, Sakai, Adachi, Nagao, and Kikuchi. The Mongol invasion was devastating to all the clans, almost wiping them out completely. Various forces could potentially step in as major powers after this loss.
The Oga Clan migrated from mainland Japan to help fight the Mongols. They are said to be fierce in battle and loyal to the Shogunate. The Yarikawa Clan, a clan that, despite being made illegitimate after a failed rebellion, still held power in their home region while maintaining their reputation as elite sword fighters, could step in and exert control.
Mainland Japan
The Full Mongol Plan
Tsushima was only meant to be one stop in the Mongol conquest of Japan, and from what Khotun Khan suggests, many players predict a second invasion of the entire country. With Jin labeled a traitor and outlaw at home, it may be safer for him to leave for the mainland himself, where he could encounter the Mongols again.
Ghost of Tsushima 2 Moving to Mainland Japan Could Lead to One Big Problem
If Ghost of Tsushima 2 sees Jin traveling to mainland Japan, it may need to keep its open world in check or risk a common open-world problem.
Jin is not the only character who could end up in Japan. Tomoe was already heading in that direction when she was last seen. Yuna also expressed her wishes to leave for the mainland several times, only staying to help Jin and avenge her brother. Many fans speculate about this change of scenery in a follow-up game.
Ghost of Tsushima Director's Cut
- Released
- August 20, 2021
- Developer(s)
- Sucker Punch
- Publisher(s)
- Sony Interactive Entertainment
- Genre(s)
- Action-Adventure , Open-World
