Highlights

  • Both Ghost of Tsushima and Horizon Forbidden West offer fantastic gameplay experiences with action and adventure.
  • Horizon Forbidden West has superior side quests compared to Ghost of Tsushima , enhancing player immersion.
  • Sucker Punch should consider improving side quests in Ghost of Tsushima 2 by taking inspiration from Horizon Forbidden West .

Ghost of Tsushima and Horizon Forbidden West are two fantastic PlayStation games full of adventure and action. With Ghost of Tsushima, players take on the role of Jin Sakai who has to defend his homeland from the Mongol invasion, while Horizon Forbidden West features Aloy who protects humanity against the red blight and the Far Zeniths. Both games are worth playing, though Horizon Forbidden West does have the better side quests.

Though a Ghost of Tsushima sequel hasn't been announced, after the success of the first game, it seems inevitable that Sucker Punch will work on another game in the franchise. If that's the case, the studio should take some notes from Horizon Forbidden West and include better side quests that immerse players and expand the open world.

Naoe from Assassin's Creed Shadows and Jin Sakai from Ghost of Tsushima
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The Side Quests of Horizon Forbidden West

The main quests of Horizon Forbidden West are full of excitement and typically have Aloy taking on various machines as she helps the tribes she comes across. The side quests don't slow down the excitement, and they provide as much action as the main missions. Consequently, they are not to be missed, as they give players a chance to interact with the various characters and help them with their goals.

One of the standout side quests in Horizon Forbidden West is titled "Lofty Ambitions" and it involves helping Morlund craft a hot-air balloon. To do that, he needs an Old World burner which Aloy acquires from within Dunehollow. As a reward for the mission, Aloy gets to take a hot-air balloon ride that gives her a stunning view of Las Vegas from up high. It's one of the most memorable moments in the game, and it's more than one would expect from a mere side quest.

Even the Errands of Horizon Forbidden West are Fantastic

In addition to side quests, there are also various errands to complete. One of the errands that players won't forget easily is "Nights of Lights." To help Stemmur out, Aloy retrieves a gizmo from the Old World ruins. It takes a little effort, but when the gizmo is found, beautiful lights appear in the sky. Aloy can search the map for more ornaments to change the lights that appear. All the amazing lights are based on different holidays, namely:

  • Christmas
  • New Year's Eve
  • Halloween
  • Bodhi Day
  • Eid al-Fitr
  • Easter
  • St. Patrick's Day
  • Valentines Day
  • Chinese New Year
  • Oktoberfest

The Side Tales of Ghost of Tsushima

Ghost of Tsushima does have a few good side tales, but they pale in comparison to what Horizon Forbidden West offers. Perhaps the most captivating is the Six Blades of Kojiro mission, which has Jin taking on 5 straw hat duelists scattered around the map. Once they are all defeated, Jin travels to the hidden Mirror Of Scared Light where he has an unforgettable showdown with Kojiro. This side tale is not to be missed, and it's a pity that there aren't more side tales that are as exciting.

Ghost of Tsushima is a fantastic game packed with amazing content, but it could stand to improve in some departments. If Sucker Punch takes a few notes from Horizon Forbidden West and improves its side missions, Ghost of Tsushima 2 could end up being a nearly flawless game.