Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut Review

Ghost of Tsushima was my Game of the Year in 2020, so I was excited about the new Iki Island expansion. However, my experience with this release left me feeling disappointed—not because the expansion or game lacked quality, but due to Sony’s pricing policies. Let’s dive into the content and discuss the pros and cons.

The Iki Island Expansion

The expansion takes place after Act 1 of the main game, during the Mongol invasion of Japan. This time, Jin Sakai travels to Iki Island to confront a new threat led by a mysterious figure called “The Eagle.” Iki Island serves as a lawless haven for criminals and exiles, creating a dangerous and unique setting.

The expansion’s story is nearly as compelling as the main game, filled with emotional moments, exciting action, and well-designed missions. It reminded me of other excellent expansions like *Burial at Sea* in *Bioshock* or *Left Behind* in *The Last of Us.*

Gameplay

Most of the new gameplay follows the “more of the same” model, offering additional missions, upgrades, and challenges similar to the base game. While this approach works if you loved the original game, the new gameplay features are limited. The Iki Island environment, with its wild, untamed landscapes, adds some visual variety, though it offers fewer areas to explore compared to Tsushima.

What’s New in Gameplay?

• New Enemy Types: One enemy type rallies nearby soldiers, making them stronger and harder to kill. Another switches weapons mid-fight, forcing you to adapt your stances. These new challenges make combat more dynamic and engaging.
• New Skills and Reputation System: A fresh skill tree and reputation system give players a sense of progression. Even if you’ve completed the main game, you’ll start fresh on Iki Island, earning points for missions and side activities.
• New Side Activities: Familiar activities like bamboo strikes and hot springs return, alongside new ones like sword duels, archery challenges, and playing melodies to attract wildlife. Some missions include unexpected twists, keeping the gameplay varied.

Graphics and Performance on PS5

The Director’s Cut offers noticeable improvements on PS5, including 4K resolution, 60 FPS, and almost instant loading times. The updated lip-syncing for Japanese audio adds to the cinematic experience. Haptic feedback and adaptive triggers enhance immersion, especially during sword clashes and archery sequences. However, these upgrades come with additional costs, which may feel steep compared to other games offering free updates.

Pricing Concerns

Sony’s pricing model is a major drawback. The original game has been removed from the PlayStation Store, leaving only the Director’s Cut at $70. Upgrading from the base PS4 version to the Director’s Cut costs $20, and transferring to PS5 adds another $20. In contrast, other games like *Metro Exodus* and *Assassin’s Creed Valhalla* provide free next-gen upgrades.

Final Thoughts

*Ghost of Tsushima* and its Iki Island expansion deliver exceptional quality, cementing the game as a masterpiece in storytelling, gameplay, and visuals. However, the high cost of upgrades and the short length of the expansion (around 6.5 hours for all content) detract from the overall value. If you already own the base game on PS4, the Iki Island expansion is worth the $20. If you’re new to the game and own a PS5, the full Director’s Cut is an excellent choice.

Pros:

• More high-quality content from a fantastic game
• Improved graphics and stable performance
• Excellent use of PS5 features
• Engaging new gameplay elements

Cons:

• Overpriced upgrades
• Short expansion length

Final Score: 8.5/10