Sony and Sucker Punch's upcoming Ghost of Tsushima is one of the final PS4 exclusives of this console era, and it's one of the most hotly anticipated titles of the year. In a special State of Play broadcast tonight, we got to see some more of the game's features, including gameplay, photo mode, and customisation options.
You can watch the whole broadcast below:
The first thing that strikes you about the game is its visual fidelity. In short, it looks stunning. It brings the aesthetic of a Kurosawa film and marries it with a sumptuous orchestral sountrack that really captures the mood of old samurai movies — with Sucker Punch's Jason Connell openly admitting that this genre has been a heavy influence.
This is especially obvious when you apply the game's black-and-white filter, wich comes with wind and other effects to match the atmosphere of the Japanese auteur's filmography. This will be available from the very start, and not as an unlockable for completing the game as is typical with other titles. You'll also have the option to play with a Japanese voice track for added authenticity.
In terms of what you see on-screen, Ghost of Tsushima has a minimal UI that doesn't get in the way of your exploration of this stunning world. There aren't waypoints as such, but in a clever move certain world elements will guide you on your journey — including gusts of wind and animals such as birds or foxes. Fast travel will also be a thing, allowing you to revisit locations you've previously passed through.
Combat in Ghost of Tsushima comes in two forms — samurai, and the ninja-like Ghost. The samurai plays quite like you'd expect, and has many shades of Onimusha about it. You'll battle cautiously, parrying just-in-time to create openings for one-hit counter-kills on some enemies, and you'll be able to change stance in accordance with the foes you face. A longbow helps with ranged attacks.
In the Ghost mode, which is akin to playing as a ninja with serious Tenchu or Assassin's Creed vibes, you'll have an arsenal to help you sneak your way to victory. Your standard weapons are the katana and the dagger, while kunai and firecrackers help with subterfuge and distraction. In this form stealth is the way forward, and by linking assassinations (very Assassin's Creed) you'll frighten foes into fleeing or surrendering with a whimper.
The game has considerable options for customisation, from your outfit to your range of abilities. Charms can be unlocked at various shrines to augment your build, with all this allowing you to lean towards being more effective in one style over the other should you choose.
It's clear that Ghost of Tsushima is focusing on authenticity over fantasy, as befits it's real historical setting. Tasked with protecting the island of Tsushima from a Mongol invasion, this game really is a Kurosawa movie for the twenty-first century.
Ghost of Tsushima comes to PlayStation 4 on July 17, 2020, and is a Sony-console exclusive.
The highly anticipated samurai game Ghost of Tsushima will be showcased in a dedicated edition of Sony's State of Play stream, this Thursday at 1 PM PT / 4 PM ET.
