The climax of Ghost of Tsushima has Jin Sakai face his uncle in battle, Lord Shimura, due to the demands of the Shogun. Whilst Jin has liberated Tsushima from the Mongol invaders, it was only through dishonorable means that it was possible, thus leaving his samurai uncle no choice but to duel his nephew and bring an end to the Sakai name.
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The final fight in Ghost of Tsushima is filled with emotion, as a tragic sense of honor deludes what should be love. If Jin Sakai bests his uncle in the climactic duel, then a decision must be made, and as Lord Shimura remains on his knees awaiting his fate from Jin, the choice is clear between two: spare Lord Shimura, or kill him.
What Happens If You Spare Lord Shimura?
By defying the ways of the samurai, and refusing to fulfill Lord Shimura’s final wish to be killed in battle, Jin Sakai will claim to his uncle that he has no honor, and he will kneel opposite him, and tell Lord Shimura that he will not kill his family. Lord Shimura watches helplessly as Jin is forced to embrace his identity as the Ghost, and players are left to wonder about the fate of Lord Shimura when he reports his failure to the Shogun.
Whilst fans might want a happy ending, it’s more than likely that Lord Shimura was killed for his failure to kill his nephew, and thus his name would be wiped out, left in dishonor just as Jin Sakai’s was. However, it could be expected that this ending is the more ‘canon’ ending, due to the fact it has Jin Sakai leave behind honor to become the Ghost, thus leaving Shimura’s story open for another chapter, showing that Jin is past the point of caring about samurai rules.
By completing the Spare Lord Shimura ending, players will acquire the Vow of Vengeance dye color to be used for the Ghost Armor. They will also find Jin’s new home located at Tradition’s End.
What Happens If You Kill Lord Shimura?
Lord Shimura’s last request was to be honored with a warrior's death, and Jin could fulfill this samurai tradition by killing his uncle. Jin will kneel beside his uncle, place his hand on his shoulder, and tell him that he will be remembered as a great warrior, a wise leader, and a father. His uncle proudly calls Jin his son and asks him to find him in the next life, before Jin plunges his shanto blade into his stomach, crying in the pain of killing his uncle, the man he called father.
This is most certainly the more tear-jerking ending, due to the death of Lord Shimura, but it is also worth mentioning that it is somewhat the good ending, as it shows Lord Shimura that despite the dishonor Jin Sakai succumbed to in order to save Tsushima, there is still a samurai within him, as granting an honorable death redeems both Lord Shimura his honor, and Jin’s arc for what is to come next, as Jin is forced now to become the Ghost, a man without honor, a man without family, and a man without a name.
For completing the Kill Lord Shimura ending, players will receive the Righteous Punishment dye color for the Ghost Armor set, as well as the Dawn Refuge home for Jin Sakai.
Ghost of Tsushima Director's Cut
- Released
- August 20, 2021
- Developer(s)
- Sucker Punch
- Genre(s)
- Action-Adventure , Open-World
