Ghost of Tsushima has been out less than a week and, from what we've heard, has already made it into many players lists of their favourite games of all time. It's definitely a solid farewell to this console generation and a game thoroughly enjoyed by the Gorilla Gaming team! Here are 5 reasons why we think Ghost of Tsushima is 'favourite game' material.

The Animals

Animals are a large part of the game and are often used to guide you to important locations. You select your companion horse very early in the game, get to name it as well and the bond that forms between you is a genuinely emotional thing to experience. Yellow birds should always be followed and the discovering of fox dens always leads to a special experience and a totally adorable interaction. Bears, dogs and boars are the only aggressive animals you will encounter and are incentivised to kill (for resources), whereas you will find no benefits from attacking or killing birds, deer or foxes and why would you even want to!? Frolicking with deer, patting foxes and admiring the wildlife are some of the most enriching in-game experiences!

The Detail

The attention to detail in the game is very satisfying. You leave behind footprints and a swim through a lake will clean your clothes which inevitably end up covered in mud. You can clean your blade after combat or leave it bloodstained. The way the game mechanics blend into the beauty of the surrounding world is extremely impressive. You are literally guided to quest locations by the wind’s direction and fireflies congregate around the bodies of fallen enemies you have yet to loot. It’s these small details and integrations of common game mechanics into the natural environment that make Ghost of Tsushima such an organic and immersive experience.

The Beauty

The most incredible thing about Ghost of Tsushima is simply the experience of exploring the vast, rich landscapes of medieval Japan, that Sucker Punch have created. Your surroundings feel alive. Everything moves with the wind. We do not have the words in our collective vocabulary to describe the beauty of Tsushima.

The Combat

You eventually get to learn 4 main ‘stances’ by which Jin can gain advantage over various enemy types. You can kill people in SO MANY different ways! You can throw Kunai, snipe with your bow, slice and dice with your sword, engage in standoffs, interact with the combat environment and even utilise some far less savoury methods (which I will not spoil). The technique tree (aka skill tree), mythic techniques in particular, unlocked limb severing and violence beyond your wildest dreams.

Photo Mode

The photo mode in Ghost is almost like a mini game in and of itself. It’s accessible by pushing the right directional button. We tried it exhaustively! You can adjust absolutely everything to create the perfect shot. From weather (including wind strength and direction), time of day and Jin’s facial expression to focal distance, depth of field and colour grading. We're OBSESSED. 

If you haven't already, grab a copy of Ghost of Tsushima!