Four years after hitting the PS4, Ghost of Tsushima has finally arrived on PC as part of Sony's recent push into the market and it has not disappointed. Fresh off of popular TV series like Shogun, players can again engross themselves in the fantastic world of the samurai in one of the best open-world games. Although there really is not much new in the PC version, this adventure is still well worth jumping into in 2024.
With the release of this PC port, Ghost of Tsushima has now been re-released three different times over the past few years. First released on PS4 to rave reviews, it was then updated for the PS5 via the Director's Cut, which was met with even stronger reviews. And now, the PC version has updated that same adventure with numerous graphical options, making this iteration feel like the definitive version to play. So, as long as players have the right machine to back it up, they won't want to miss this one.
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Ghost of Tsushima is a Fantastic Samurai Experience
It would be hard not to know what Ghost of Tsushima is at this point, as it was a headlining game for the PS4 when it first came out, and since then, it seems to have cemented itself as a major player in the open-world genre. The combat alone has made the title stand out, as it truly makes players feel like they are a samurai. They must master different stances, time their strikes perfectly, and remain mobile while in conflict. Additionally, the multitude of tools at their disposal gives them a ton of freedom to approach these encounters however they see fit.
The combat is great, but it would be nothing without a quality story to back it up. Sucker Punch has written a pretty intriguing story following samurai warrior Jin Sakai as he struggles to fight back against the Mongol Empire in the late 13th century. Players will watch as he grapples with what it means to be honorable while he tries to do whatever he can to free his people. He must not only utilize unconventional tactics to win, but must also embrace the path of the ghost to strike fear into his enemies. Luckily, he does not have to do it alone, as the island is filled with interesting characters waiting to lend their aid.
Speaking of the island, the world that Sucker Punch created here is a sight to behold, especially on PC. Nothing beats the sounds of the forest as the wind guides players to their objectives. The entire island explodes with color, and the destruction that the Mongols are causing looks like a scar among the beauty. If players are not careful, they may get lost exploring its numerous locales for hours on end.
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The only major downside to the core Ghost of Tsushima experience is that it does not really do much to break away from the standard open-world tropes the genre has been using for years. The world is filled with collectibles to find, numerous bases are waiting to be cleared out, and players have to spend their time filling a pretty standard talent tree with points. There is nothing inherently wrong with any of this, and it does work well, but for anyone who may be tired of these concepts, it does not do enough to change that.
The Director's Cut Takes the Adventure to the Next Level
The PC version of Ghost of Tsushima is much more than that acclaimed core adventure, as this version also includes all the Director's Cut content. Specifically, it includes numerous graphical updates, the Iki Island expansion, the Legends co-op mode, and many different cosmetics. While the cosmetics are not that exciting, the expansion and Legends mode are nice ways to further expand this adventure past its conclusion.
True to its name, the Iki island expansion gives players a whole new island to liberate from the Mongols. The island is another beautiful addition to Ghost of Tsushima, but the true selling point is the story. This adventure sees Jin Sakai come face-to-face with The Eagle, the leader of a cult-like tribe of Mongol invaders. She uses powerful Shaman and sorcery to bend the island to her will, and it is up to Jin to take her down. But as he pushes his way through the island, he also discovers more about the dark history of his clan.
The core gameplay of the expansion is not that different from the main game, but there is nothing wrong with that. The core game was a fantastic experience, so getting more of that just seemed like an easy win. And the addition of enemies like the Shaman helps mix up the encounters a tiny bit. Plus, the actual island is far more haunting than Tsushima, which makes exploring it a treat.
Alongside the Iki Island expansion, the Legends game mode is also a major part of the Director's Cut. Although it is not the most advanced co-op mode in the world, it does offer players a nice way to experience Ghost of Tsushima's combat and storytelling with friends. Through this mode, players can take on the role of one of four different warriors and either embark on a brand-new mythological story or fight back against waves of enemies in survival mode. Whatever mode they choose, it can be a lot of fun with the right people. However, if players do want to jump in, they must make a PSN account first.
The PC Edition Runs as Smooth as Butter
Of course, the main focus of this re-release is that it is now on PC. Players have seen everything the Ghost of Tsushima Director's Cut offers before, but they have never gotten to play it outside the PlayStation ecosystem. And even though recent ports often seem to be a bit of a mixed bag, this version of the game truly shines. So much so that some may even consider it the definitive way to experience Jin Sakai's story.
The PC port's new additions are primarily focused on graphical updates, which include an unlocked framerate, new graphics options, and ultrawide support. Through these additions, the world of Tsushima shines even brighter. There were seldom any graphical hiccups, the game ran extremely smoothly, and everything about it just worked. While players' experiences may differ depending upon the machine they have, so far, it seems like this may be one of the best ports to come out recently.
The game may run smoothly, but at some points, the controls need a bit of work. The game was originally designed for controllers, and it can really feel like that. Oftentimes, it can be a struggle to perform actions like changing stances, as keyboard and mouse require quite a different type of playstyle. And without a controller, it also loses a bit of its ambiance as players will not be able to experience things like wind blowing through their DualSense speakers. So, although PC controls allow for greater precision, the game may still be played best using a controller.
Overall, Ghost of Tsushima Director's Cut feels like a fantastic port. The game was already an amazing open-world adventure, and the PC has made that even better. While the controls may be cumbersome at times, this is still probably the best way to play this game. Whether players are playing it for the first time or jumping in again, Jin Sakai's journey is definitely worth the price of admission.
Ghost of Tsushima Director's Cut (PC)
In Ghost of Tsushima, players will roam the vast countryside and expansive terrain to encounter rich characters, discover ancient landmarks, and uncover the hidden beauty of Tsushima. The director's cut includes the full game and the Iki Island expansion, which has new story missions, enemies, and mini-games.
- A fantastic open-world adventure
- The island of Tsushima is a sight to behold
- The PC's graphical updates make the title truly shine
- Controls can be cumbersome at times
Ghost of Tsushima Director's Cut is available now on PC. Game ZXC was provided a code for this review.
