Ghost of Tsushima Didn’t Need to Be Hyperrealistic, But Walking That Back Now Would Be Difficult

Ghost of Tsushima follows the adventures of Jin Sakai as he tries to defend his homeland against the incoming Mongol invasion. This forces him to learn new combat tactics that go against the code of honor he was taught growing up. This leaves him with a dilemma of whether to stick to what he knows or become the infamous “ghost of Tsushima.”

Ghost of Tsushima is a violent, bloody game, but it’s also jaw-droppingly beautiful. As players roam the map, they are treated to hyperrealistic environments that never fail to enchant. Though this is appreciated, there are a few problems that come with the art style which the sequel should consider.

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The Lifespan of Ghost of Tsushima’s Hyperrealism

There’s no denying that Ghost of Tsushima is a gorgeous game with a variety of environments ranging from pink fields of flowers to desolate, burned-down forests. All of it is rendered so hyperrealistically that the environment even reacts realistically to the blowing wind. The result is beautiful renditions of Tsushima and Iki island that are just begging for photo mode to be used obsessively.

There is one problem that arises, however. Hyperrealism has a short lifespan. As technology improves, games get more photorealistic, and what seemed hypperrealistic in the past suddenly looks quite dated. That hasn’t happened yet to Ghost of Tsushima, but it is the future the game has to look forward to.

The Inspiration Behind Ghost of Tsushima’s Environments

Developers drew a lot of inspiration from Chanbara films when designing the environments. Hence, there is constant movement, whether it be blowing dust or rising smoke. The team also looked to games like Breath of the Wild and Shadow of the Colossus to achieve a minimalist yet photorealistic landscape.

How Ghost of Tsushima’s Sequel Can Switch Up Its Art Style

Photorealism isn’t necessary for a game to have a memorable art style. There are titles like The Sims that opt for a more cartoonish appearance, or games-art-styles-inspired-by-classic-paintings/”>games like Okami that look like water-painted art come to life. All these techniques exhibit creativity and ensure that the game’s visuals do not age too quickly.

Ghost of Tsushima would look just as amazing, if not more, with a stylized art style that doesn’t obsess over hyperrealism. However, the shift away from photorealism is seldom seen in the AAA scene, where it is the standard. For this reason, it is unlikely that the sequel will drift away from its hyperrealism and instead, it will double down.

The Visual Cues of Ghost of Tsushima’s World

The hyperrealism of Ghost of Tsushima wasn’t a lazy move, and the design of the landscape is very deliberate. Thanks to the design, players can navigate without an obtrusive HUD or by constantly consulting the map. Ghost of Tsushima features smokestacks that lead players to enemy camps and side activities. Foxes and golden birds lead players to interesting locations, and if players ever get lost, there’s the guiding wind to put them back on track.

Ghost of Tsushima is currently one of the most visually stunning games available on the PS5, and the different biomes each bring their unique beauty to the table. This doesn’t mean that hyperrealism is the only way to go, as it is an art style that ages rather quickly. Nevertheless, it is unlikely that the franchise will back down now, especially when it is competing with other hyperrealistic triple-A games.

Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut

$30 $70 Save $40

In Ghost of Tsushima, players will roam the vast countryside and expansive terrain to encounter rich characters, discover ancient landmarks, and uncover the hidden beauty of Tsushima. The director’s cut includes the full game and the Iki Island expansion, which has new story missions, enemies, and mini-games.

Released

August 20, 2021

Publisher(s)

Sony Interactive Entertainment

ESRB

M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language, Partial Nudity

How Long To Beat

30 Hours

Metascore

87

PS Plus Availability

Extra & Premium