Summary
WhileGhost of Tsushimais a fantastic game in many respects, there are certain areas that a sequel could improve upon.Ghost of Tsushima’s settingand open-world structure, for example, can be further polished in a follow-up game, and there is one specific aspect of environment design that Sucker Punch may want to hone in on.
Ghost of Tsushimaarrived as a pleasant surprise for PS4 owners in 2020. The all-new IP served as something of a swansong for the console, as it was one of the last PS4-exclusive titles to launch ahead of the PS5. Despite dropping at the end of a console generation,Ghost of Tsushimadoesn’t feel held back by its hardware, as the PS4 version of Sucker Punch’s Tsushima is still one of the most picturesque open worlds in gaming. Although aGhost of Tsushimasequel should retaincertain features of the first game’s open-world and exploration, the game’s handling of its more populated locations leaves a bit to be desired, and its sequel should take steps to improve it.
While aGhost of Tsushimasequel has yet to be officially announced, it seems plausible based on the overwhelming success of the first game.
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The Next Ghost of Tsushima Should Feature Better Buildings and Towns
The vast, scenic landscapes ofGhost of Tsushimaare striking and poetic, but the sparse towns and villages of the game feel a bit lackluster. These areas offer very little variety, with structures and layouts that are very similar to one another. Granted, these issues are partially related to the setting of the game, but there are still ways for the sequel to make civilization more engaging and enjoyable.
How Ghost of Tsushima’s Sequel Can Improve Towns
Ghost of Tsushima’s unique gearand subtly diverse natural landscapes are evidence of its developers' skill for whipping up visually distinct designs; it only makes sense that this skill should be carried into the game’s buildings and towns. While 13th-century rural Japan may not be the most fertile ground for bold architectural designs, the sequel could still implement variety across buildings in a few different ways. The first game mostly only featured basic homes and pagodas, so the sequel could place a greater emphasis on things like Buddhist temples, halls, and palaces.
A more significant change could come in the form of the sequel’s broader approach to towns.Ghost of Tsushimashowcases Japaneseculture, yet its towns are typically small and bereft of unique or interesting content, with little more than a handful of overly similar merchants or side quest suppliers. By implementing more bustling, lively cities and settlements, with distinct NPCs, quests, and in-game events, these areas can be just as interesting, if not more so, than the game’s natural environments.
The Next Ghost of Tsushima’s Setting
Though no information has been revealed regarding a potential sequel toGhost of Tsushima, it could end up having a convenient solution to the issue of town and building variety.Ghost of Tsushimahas already expandedwith its Iki Island DLC, and a full-fledged sequel could go even further by taking players to mainland Japan. If the sequel were to take this route, it could present players with renditions of major cities like Kyoto, Fukuoka, and Nagasaki, which would be larger, more complex, and feature more distinct architectural styles.
While few would callGhost of Tsushima’s approach to towns, villages, and buildings strictly bad, it certainly has room to grow. A sequel to the critically acclaimed game could leverage more advanced technology, and potentially a larger budget, to make this element of the game’s open-world a more worthwhile addition.
Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut
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In the late 13th century, the Mongol empire has laid waste to entire nations along their campaign to conquer the East. Tsushima Island is all that stands between mainland Japan and a massive Mongol invasion fleet led by the ruthless and cunning general, Khotun Khan.As the island burns in the wake of the first wave of the Mongol assault, courageous samurai warrior Jin Sakai stands resolute. As one of the last surviving members of his clan, Jin is resolved to do whatever it takes, at any cost, to protect his people and reclaim his home. He must set aside the traditions that have shaped him as a warrior to forge a new path, the path of the Ghost, and wage an unconventional war for the freedom of Tsushima.
