Ghost of Tsushima – Open-world masterpiece

Set during the Mongol invasion of 13th-century Japan, Ghost of Tsushima follows Jin Sakai’s struggle between honor and survival. You play as a samurai, forced to adopt the ways of the ghost. The game’s breathtaking visuals, fluid combat, and deep emotional storytelling make it one of the defining titles of the PS4-PS5 era and one of the most polished open-world experiences ever made.

You’ll enjoy Ghost of Tsushima if you like games built around the following pillars:

✅ Immersive open world : lush environments inspired by classic samurai cinema, dynamic weather and varied landscapes. The game has a very strong and memorable aesthetic identity.
✅ Tight, skill-based combat : swordplay that feels both lethal and elegant, blending traditional standoffs with stealth-based tactics.
✅ Mature storytelling : a grounded, character-driven narrative exploring loyalty, tradition, and sacrifice. 
✅ Refined world design : no cluttered UI or overbearing quest markers, keeping the screen clean, and the environment itself subtly guides exploration.

Areas of improvement or aspects that may deter prospective players are:

📉 Limited RPG depth : while progression and customization exist, they’re more linear than in fully-fledged RPGs.
📉 Repetitive side content : the game’s open-world activities, while beautiful, can feel formulaic over time. By the time you reach the north of the island, you may feel an urge to bee-line the main story.
📉 Predictable narrative beats : despite strong writing, the main story follows familiar patterns of redemption and rebellion, and therefore feels quite “safe” in terms of direction.