Ghost of Tsushima Director's Cut
Return to Tsushima, Ghost
Sucker Punch’s Ghost of Tsushima was released over a year ago almost close to the exact date of July to critical acclaim that the PlayStation console hadn’t experienced in a very long time. The last game that Sony released which garnered similar acclaim was Marvel’s Spider-Man, which was successful enough on the PS4 that it sold just as well with its remastered release on the PS5, including a bonus story mode based on Miles Morales. Thus, the release of Ghost of Tsushima and its worldwide popularity, especially the surprising reception from the Japanese crowd, was enough to warrant an updated remaster of the title for the PS5.
Japanese Cinematography Excels In Ghost of Tsushima Director's Cut
Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut, much like the remastered version of Marvel’s Spider-Man, features 4K resolution support with a “better framerate mode” specifically running the game in 1800p as opposed to the default “resolution” mode in 4K. Much like SIE's Ratchet and Clank Rift Apart, the Ghost of Tsushima Director's Cut takes advantage of PS5's hardware capabilities. While this is a useful effect, the difference in performance is hardly noticeable if there even was a difference, to begin with.
The game runs at 60 fps in 4K regardless, making the “better frame rate” mode redundant. On the PS4 version, this would be better suited as PS4 Pro is a thing, yet on the PS5 the game is very optimized in its best settings. The 4K resolution turns the already impressive graphics into a cinematic masterpiece. Details including player animation, the detail of dirt, grime, and sweat, and the lush vibrant landscapes of Tsushima Island have all never looked better. The graphics have not been compromised for the same of the gameplay and vice versa, making it more than just a “fresh coat of paint,” although seeing the changes in full detail requires players to be in fairly lit locations with bright sunlight.
Feel Every Footstep, Hear Every Pulse
The most impressive addition to Ghost of Tsushima is the inclusion of the haptic feedback capabilities of the DualSense. Most titles that advertise the vibration capabilities of the DualSense are usually met with lackluster vibrations that players can experience from a PS4 title. With the PS5 version, Sucker Punch had analyzed every detail of the DualSense to tie in the immersion that Ghost of Tsushima provides to the next level.
Almost everything the player does taps into the DualSense’s feedback, which is impressive as it enhances the gameplay experience. Moving between the options menu offers slight taps to the feedback, while the clopping of horses is tied rhythmically to each step. Leaves falling to the ground in a pile reflects the feedback, from the unsheathing and sheathing of the sword mimics the same effects through the controller. Even the glint of the katana pulses through the palm of the player’s hands. Nothing is left untouched and after a while, the feedback experience feels like a part of the game more than it does a feature.
Ghost of Tsushima Plays And Feels Like A Movie
As someone who didn’t play the original gameplay, yet heard through word of mouth from friends how easy the game’s combat is, I defaulted to “Hard” difficulty and was impressed with the flow of combat. The gameplay is easy to get into, with emphasis on deflecting enemy attacks and countering with your own. Attacking recklessly will usually result in a swift death the higher the difficulty as enemies deal more damage to you in response to your mistakes. One mode immediately kills you should an enemy land an attack on you once, meaning that the player will need to pay attention to the combat.
The fluidity of the combat, including times where a “standoff” takes place, compliments the entire classic “Samurai Cinema” theme that the developers were going for. Everything from the acting, the music, the flow of combat, and even the “Akira Kurosawa” filter that gives the game a black and white filter on top of muddled sound effects to mimic the Japanese movies of the ’50s. The attention to detail made this game a hit among Japanese players, praising the authenticity of the history of Japan and its cinema.
Director's Cut Is The Best Value For Your Buck
Everything that was included in the deluxe edition, including skins and exclusive horses, is included in the Director’s Cut, making it the definitive experience. An entire island expansion, Iki Island, is the major draw to replaying Ghost of Tsushima for seasoned veterans. Overall, the Director’s Cut is the entire masterpiece that was released in 2020 with a few add-ons that make the adventure worth coming back to.
For first-time players who missed out on one of 2020’s greatest first-party games for the PS4, the Director’s Cut is the best way to play the title whether it’s on the PS4 or the PS5. The lack of a free PS5 upgrade is a bummer, but one blemish shouldn’t deter curious players from playing this samurai epic.
Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut is now available on PS4 and PS5.