Summary
The following contains MAJOR spoilers forGhost of Tsushima.
After four years of waiting, there is still no official news of aGhost of Tsushimasequel. Apart from the odd rumor here and there,Ghost of Tsushima’s successor still hangs in the balance, as does the continuation of the first game’s story.Ghost of Tsushimasees players exploring a breathtaking open-world feudal Japan in the shoes of Jin Sakai, a Samurai who eventually foregoes tradition to do what is necessary to save Tsushima and those he loves from the heartless Mongols. At the end of the game, players are faced with a tough choice — one that ultimately defines Jin’s path, although the game’s epilogue remains mostly the same.
Ghost of Tsushimadoesn’t give players any meaningful choices leading up to its conclusion. There are plenty of different dialogue decisions to be made throughout the story, but nothing that impacts the narrative like the choice made at the end. Once players reach the final confrontation with Lord Shimura, they are given two choices: take the honorable path by killing him or the dishonorable path by sparing him. Unfortunately, since there is no buildup to this moment, and it doesn’t change anything but a bit of dialogue in the end, making the choice can feel very unfulfilling from a narrative standpoint. This is somethingGhost of Tsushima 2could improve upon to give players an even more dynamic story experience.
How Ghost of Tsushima 2 Can Improve Upon the First Game’s Approach to Multiple Endings
Ghost of Tsushima 2 Should Build Up Its Endings More With Branching Choices During the Story
One reasonGhost of Tsushima’s multiple endingsultimately fall flat is that there are no major choices offered prior to that moment.Ghost of Tsushima 2could improve the first game’s approach to multiple endings by giving players branching choices throughout the story that could lead them to one ending or another. This way, each ending would hold much more weight and mean more to players as they navigate the main story.
AsGhost of Tsushimawas split into three acts, a sequel could follow the same pattern. However, this time, perhaps transitioning to the next act would require players to make a significant choice that would come into play once the overarching narrative reaches its grand finale. These moments would be great indicators that players should heavily weigh their options before making a decision, as they would understand the story’s ending depends on it.
Ghost of Tsushima 2 Can Afford to Make Its Endings Mean More for Its Epilogue
Regardless of the choice players make at the end ofGhost of Tsushima, it’s essentially all the same.If Shimura is killed, Jin is on the run; if Shimura survives, he is brushed off with a simple comment that he will not come after Jin, but Jin is still on the run. As such, perhapsGhost of Tsushima 2could make its epilogue an endgame of sorts that hinges on the ending players choose.
Dragon’s Dogma 2approached its endings in this way, allowing players to either end the game immediately or head to itsUnmoored Worldendgame area to continue the story. Something like this would makeGhost of Tsushima 2’s final choices mean more for the story’s conclusion while simultaneously increasing the game’s replay value.
There are plenty of otherchoice-driven gamesout there thatGhost of Tsushima 2could draw inspiration from when it comes to developing its multiple endings, but as long as it starts thinking about the end of the story before it actually gets there, and as long as its ending means something for the epilogue, it should be in good shape.Ghost of Tsushima 2has a chance to do something its predecessor fell short in, so it would do well to examine where things can be improved.
Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut
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In the late 13th century, the Mongol empire has laid waste to entire nations along their campaign to conquer the East. Tsushima Island is all that stands between mainland Japan and a massive Mongol invasion fleet led by the ruthless and cunning general, Khotun Khan.As the island burns in the wake of the first wave of the Mongol assault, courageous samurai warrior Jin Sakai stands resolute. As one of the last surviving members of his clan, Jin is resolved to do whatever it takes, at any cost, to protect his people and reclaim his home. He must set aside the traditions that have shaped him as a warrior to forge a new path, the path of the Ghost, and wage an unconventional war for the freedom of Tsushima.
