Welcome to our review of Ghost of Sasha- no Ghost of Umam- no, that’s not the right one either. Welcome to our review of Ghost of Tsushima! Sorry, I’ll stop making sushi jokes now and sneak into this review through the shadows. I hadn’t played this title before, so I was very happy to see this port on Steam (and my Steam Deck). So, let’s see how that holds up!
Story:
So the story revolves around Jin Sakai, a samurai who survives a devastating battle and fights to defend his land from the Mongol invasion. As you evolve into the Ghost, your actions shape your journey, though they don’t alter the story’s conclusion. The writing is superb, capturing the essence of the period and its characters. Every decision Jin makes leads to a deeply satisfying ending. I will not spoil more since you need to experience this title yourself.
Directors Cut & Steam Deck
So, let’s do some history before diving into the gameplay aspects of Ghost of Tsushima. Long before Ubisoft decided to take Assassin’s Creed to Japan with Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Sucker Punch delivered a gripping, beautiful, and often unforgettable samurai tale. With its tense sword fights, brutal assassinations, and masterful storytelling, Ghost of Tsushima is a testament to the genre. If you haven’t played it yet, like me, the Director’s Cut includes the Iki Island expansion, which is the perfect opportunity to give this samurai a test ride. If you were looking for the Playstation 5 review, you can check that one out right here, and the original right here.
Like most open-world find-your-way games, the early moments can feel slow and structured. So don’t go in this with the idea that you’ll be fighting waves and waves of enemy samurai. This build-up is slow but so worth it. I read from some PC enthusiasts that Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut is not cutting-edge, but it delivers several improvements over the console edition. With unlocked framerates, support for Nvidia DLSS3, AMD FSR3, and Intel XeSS, and compatibility with Nvidia Reflex and Nvidia DLAA, this version offers a smoother, more visually stunning experience. Since I tested the game on Steam Deck, I couldn’t pull out everything this game graphically offers, but it’s worth noting that the game looks and runs incredibly smooth on the Deck. It does get rather battery-hungry, wolfing down my model’s full charge in 1h and 30m. At worst, though, that’s inconvenient since you can play this title on your TV with a Steam Dock or HDMI cable.
A notable addition is real-time cinematic rendering, enabling Japanese voice language lip sync—a small detail that significantly enhances immersion, especially in Samurai Cinema or Kurosawa mode. If you have a compatible controller, adaptive haptic feedback further deepens the experience by providing physical feedback during combat. Again, I played this title on my Steam Deck, and it felt super smooth cruising through the fields and mountains or sneaking into Mongolian fortresses.
Gameplay
So, as I stated in the beginning, Ghost of Tsushima is an open-world action-adventure game where you step into the shoes of a samurai striving to reclaim his homeland from Mongol invaders. The game offers a rich array of combat styles, from masterful swordplay and precise archery to stealth tactics and the use of grappling hooks. As you progress through the story and assist the inhabitants of Tsushima, you’ll earn cosmetics and gear upgrades that enhance your weapon and armor stats.
Exploration and Navigation
Exploration in Ghost of Tsushima is a seamless experience guided by the wind, which subtly directs you to points of interest. From burning villages and towering buildings to various landmarks, the world is filled with visual cues that invite exploration. You can traverse the island on horseback, on foot, or later in the game by fast-traveling to discovered locations. It also helps that Ghost of Tsushima is a visual masterpiece. The attention to detail is extraordinary, making pausing and capturing screenshots irresistible. The game’s art direction takes a beautifully stylized yet realistic approach to feudal Japan. From the intricately designed clothing to the stunning landscapes, the visual aesthetics are a triumph. Additionally, the game offers various filters to customize your visual experience to your liking.
Length & Difficulty
Ghost of Tsushima is a substantial game. Completing the main story takes around 25 hours, but full completion can stretch to 120 hours at a relaxed pace. The difficulty can be challenging, especially early on, as you learn the intricacies of combat. The Lethal difficulty setting offers a more realistic and rewarding experience, where you and your enemies effectively deal increased damage, balancing the risks and rewards.
Conclusion
Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut on PC is a brilliant adaptation of an outstanding game. It retains its charm and excellence, offering a definitive samurai adventure that’s both visually stunning and deeply immersive. Whether revisiting Tsushima or embarking on this journey for the first time, it’s a must-play experience. So yes, Ghost of Tsushima remains a must-play, and the Director’s Cut is a journey well worth taking, whether it’s your first time on Tsushima or a return visit.
