Highlights

  • A potential sequel to Ghost of Tsushima is likely considering the success of the first game, and it is important for the developers to focus on improving both the strengths and weaknesses of the original.
  • The stealth mechanics in the first game were lackluster and not as enjoyable as the melee combat. In the sequel, Sucker Punch should aim to make stealth deeper, more expressive, and as fun as the swordplay.
  • The progression system of the game could be more expansive, with meaningful upgrades and abilities that encourage skill-based gameplay and mastery. Adding high-level combos, customization options, and more upgrades could enhance the player's experience in the sequel.

Although neither Sony nor Sucker Punch have confirmed Ghost of Tsushima 2, it seems likely that a sequel will release at some point, given the critical and commercial success of the first game. Assuming that a follow-up game is, or will be, in development, it will be crucial for Sucker Punch to hone in on not only the best features of Ghost of Tsushima, but also its weak points, to make the best experience possible.

2020's Ghost of Tsushima was a pleasant surprise for Sony fans and a swansong for the PS4. The samurai action-adventure game is a smorgasbord of solid design, offering tight combat, a compelling narrative, and stunning visuals. That said, no game is perfect, and there are key areas, such as a derivative open-world structure, shallow stealth mechanics, and a somewhat restrictive progression model, that a sequel should address.

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Ghost of Tsushima 2's Story Needs to Blow the First Game Out of the Water

With Ghost of Tsushima 2, Sucker Punch needs to craft a more exciting and less predictable story than the one featured in the original.

What Ghost of Tsushima 2 Needs

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Ghost of Tsushima 2 Should Flesh Out Its Stealth Mechanics

Despite being treated with gravity in the main story, Ghost of Tsushima's stealth is lackluster in many respects. Sneaking around can have its appeal at times, especially as players unlock new abilities like poison darts and smoke bombs, but it never feels like a viable alternative to the core swordplay systems of the game. More importantly, it's not nearly as enjoyable as melee combat, which is one of Ghost of Tsushima's best features. In the sequel, Sucker Punch should strive to make stealth deeper, more expressive, and more multifaceted; it should be just as fun as its swordplay.

A More Expansive Progression System Could Benefit Ghost of Tsushima 2

Stylish, hard-hitting combat is where Ghost of Tsushima shines. The sword-fighting framework of the game gradually expands through the four unlockable stances and a traditional upgrade tree, but gameplay progression can feel somewhat held back at times, and it's easy to effectively max out Jin's abilities fairly early in the game, leading to an endgame that can feel unfortunately static. A sequel could improve upon this by not only adding more upgrades, abilities, and combos, but by making these upgrades more meaningful, focusing on skill-based gameplay that encourages mastery. Some possible ways that Sucker Punch could achieve this include:

  • More high-level combos that require skill to execute.
  • A quasi-class system, allowing players to craft custom builds by rewarding commitment to an upgrade path.
  • More traversal upgrades.
  • Different weapon types.
  • More upgrades for ranged combat.

Ghost of Tsushima 2 Needs to Evolve Its Open-World Approach

Ghost of Tsushima's open-world design, while avoiding many of the most common pitfalls of the genre, arguably doesn't do enough to set itself apart from other, more inventive games. Collectibles, secrets, and charmingly unique activities like haikus and hot springs are interesting enough, but the sequel needs to push the envelope, giving players intrinsic motivation for exploration. Essentially, Ghost of Tsushima 2 should make the actual process of moving through the world and uncovering its mysteries more interesting, rather than just offering 'pots of gold' as rewards for exploration. Denser environment design, more surprises, random events, and a fleshed-out movement system could all help achieve this end.

Player Choice Should Matter More in Ghost of Tsushima 2

For a game that is so centered on the theme of honor and responsibility, Ghost of Tsushima is a bit noncommittal when it comes to the player's role in the narrative. For instance, the game's characters will condemn Jin for using stealth tactics, but this will happen even if the player regularly rejects stealth options. Additionally, the final choice of the story doesn't have much weight to it, impacting the endgame only superficially. If Ghost of Tsushima 2 wants to maintain player freedom while telling a story about personal choice and responsibility, it should make both scripted decisions and gameplay choices matter more.