sp5der Ghost of Tsushima Director's Cut Review

Ghost of Tsushima is a game that can captivate you from the very first minutes: a picturesque world, cinematic style, and mesmerizing, bl00dy battles. It offers everything needed to leave a strong impression. However, beneath its impressive surface lies something that eventually makes the game feel dull, forcing the player to push through it. After all, in a game about samurai, there must be an engaging narrative built around loyalty, honor, and the brutality of that era. To begin with, I ended up abandoning the game for the reasons mentioned above. So my opinion isn’t entirely objective. Still, I can’t help but share my thoughts, because there is a lot to talk about. The aspect that made this game so beloved among players is its realistic and spectacular combat. The game features a relatively modest skill tree that unlocks various stances, each tailored to specific enemy types. Visually, the game is absolutely stunning — landscapes, effects, character models — all at a fantastic level. It also offers a wide range of customization options, allowing players to fine-tune the experience to their liking. Now let’s talk about the story. Personally, I didn’t find it interesting from the very beginning. And after 25 hours of gameplay, I realized just how boring it was to follow. There’s barely anything that draws you in. The side quests might even be worse — in 80% of them, the NPCs briefly mention what they need, and Jin Sakai immediately interrupts with a “I’ll handle it,” which completely blocks any character development, turning him into just an errand boy who fights evil without showing a single original thought. The framing of conversations also deserves criticism. Character faces lack emotion, their bodies stand still with no gestures, and the camera awkwardly floats overhead. On top of that, dialogue can’t be skipped. When such moments clash so starkly with the game’s serious gameplay and atmosphere, this low-budget feel seriously damages the experience. Conclusion: Gameplay-wise, the game is very well-made, but the dull story kills any desire to return. 6.5/10 & Tier: B P.S. Maybe one day I’ll finish the game and change my review.