Ghost of Tsushima garnered immense praise when it launched in 2020 as a PlayStation exclusive, offering up a lush open world to explore along with tight swordplay and stealth mechanics. Developer Sucker Punch has now released Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut, the definitive version of the game packing a brand new expansion alongside a host of upgrades for PS5 owners.
Let’s explore everything the Director’s Cut brings to the table across visual improvements, gameplay additions, and supplemental content. We provide you with all information you need to know about the upgraded version of the game through this Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut Review.
Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut Release Date
Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut launched on August 20th, 2021, for both PS5 and PS4. This marked the one year anniversary of the original game’s debut. The new expansion called Iki Island headlines the offerings here, providing an entirely new zone to journey through with roughly 10-15 hours of fresh story content and side quests. The PS5 edition also ushers in a bevy of technical enhancements only possible on new hardware.
What is the Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut Difference?
PS5 owners gain the most upgrades through the Director’s Cut thanks to deep integration with DualSense controller haptics and the console’s ultra-fast SSD:
- 4K Resolution Target at 60 FPS: Buttery smooth combat animations and environment traversal benefit greatly from doubled framerates over the base PS4 edition while resolution sits at a crisp 4K during less intensive scenes.
- DualSense Haptic Feedback: Custom vibrations through the controller’s advanced haptics simulate tangible sensations like the crack of thunder, galloping horseback rides, and clash of swords adding to immersion.
- 3D Spatial Audio Support: Sounds emanate directionally from offscreen activity positioning players deeper inside the soundscape filled with rustling leaves, wildlife, and enemy chatter enhanced through headphones.
- Faster Load Times: Lightning fast travel across the expansive world measuring under 1-2 seconds thanks to the PS5’s solid state drive that reduces waiting compared to mechanical hard drives.
Plentiful Visual Enhancements: Beyond heightened pixels and smoother framerates, expect further view distances, denser foliage, enhanced shadows, and lighting, plus boosted ambient effects like smoke and weather.
Iki Island Storyline and Gameplay
The major meat of the Director’s Cut comes in the form of the all-new Iki Island zone touching down as the largest expansion in Ghost of Tsushima since launch. Iki Island brings an entirely self-contained storyline and geography to navigate that enriches the core experience:
· New Threats: Jin Sakai confronts a new Mongolian contingent led by the Shaman inner-circle Ankhsar Khatun who exerts mystical influence over tribesmen with connections to Tsushima’s past.
· Personal History Revealed: Traveling to Iki also unveils more of Jin’s family lineage and relationship to the island itself in his quest to stop this new imposing mystical force he faces.
· Another Island to Explore: Iki Island feels wholly distinct from Tsushima featuring sprawling golden fields, tranquil hot springs, enigmatic caves, abandoned temples, withstood Mongol fortresses, and eerie spectral anomalies.
· Additional Side Content: Beyond core missions progressing Iki’s narrative, expect plenty of new tales filling out backstories of compelling characters met along the journey.
· Fun Gameplay Expansions: Director’s Cut injects fresh mechanics like horseback charging into enemies plus intense mounted archery challenges testing precision aim while racing across varied terrain.
What is the Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut (Upgrade Cost)?
Players who already own Ghost of Tsushima on PS4 can upgrade affordably by purchasing the Director’s Cut Digital Deluxe version which includes the base game remastered for PS5 and the Iki Island expansion bundled together. The Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut PS5 upgrade path ensures you immediately carry over all progression and trophy data:
· PS4 to PS5 Upgrade – $19.99 USD
· PS4 Director’s Cut to PS5 Director’s Cut Upgrade – $9.99 USD
So existing fans on PS4 need only pay $30 total to jump to the full PS5 Director’s Cut experience. Considering the visual overhaul and loading time improvements, plus a meaty 10-hour DLC with fun new mechanics, that proves great value keeping Jin’s journey going strong on next-gen hardware. We can help you with getting the Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut Steam version at a cheaper price.
Director’s Cut Review Scores
In terms of critical reception, Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut impresses as a comprehensive content package elevating an already stellar samurai adventure:
- IGN – 8/10 – “Iki Island’s story gives welcome depth to the Ghost of Tsushima formula.”
- GameInformer – 8.8/10 – “An impressive expansion that enriches the experience.”
- GameSpot – 8/10 – “Iki Island gives you more of what you love against the backdrop of a beautifully realized open world.”
- Push Square – 8/10 – “A gorgeous new playground that offers some welcome gameplay tweaks.”
The additional island and injected gameplay diversity garner particular praise across reviews for keeping the experience fresh. Critics unanimously recommend the upgrade path for PS4 owners still invested while citing Iki Island’s narrative depth expanding Jin’s backstory meaningfully.
Playing Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut PC Version
As a PlayStation console exclusive since launch, Ghost of Tsushima has not been released officially on PC platforms for the time being. However, that PC gamers want to experience this highly regarded open world title certainly shows through on platforms like Steam where the game has been wish listed over 212,000 times hoping for any porting possibility.
While concrete details on Ghost of Tsushima ever releasing natively for PC buyers stays unannounced at this stage, developer Sucker Punch belongs to Sony Interactive Entertainment suggesting optimism around ports eventually materializing as part of Sony’s expedition toward publishing more first-party exclusives on PC like Days Gone and the Horizon games did recently.
But speculation suggests Director’s Cut or standalone Ghost of Tsushima only likely arrives on platforms like Steam or Epic Games Store further into 2022 at earliest given typical delays between console exclusivity windows closing and proper programming adaptations needed for desktop playability. Until then, PC players might investigate PlayStation Now game streaming subscriptions granting remote access from internet browsers.
What is the Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut System Requirements?
Currently no defined system requirements or PC port exists for Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut or the base game. But by evaluating how the title pushes PlayStation 5 hardware and judging minimum/recommended specs of recent Sony to PC ports like Horizon Zero Dawn and Days Gone, we can logically assume what desktop configuration might prove necessary once Ghost releases for Windows gamers to match modern console performance:
· Minimum GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 or AMD Radeon RX 580 w/ 6GB VRAM
· Recommended GPU: Nvidia RTX 2070 Super or AMD Radeon 5700 XT
· Minimum CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K or AMD Ryzen 5 1500X
· Recommended CPU: Intel Core i7-8700K or AMD Ryzen 7 3700X
· Storage Space: 80GB SSD (likely higher for max settings)
· RAM: 16GB
Again, no certain PC edition exists yet to confirm specs against. But by studying the PS5’s RDNA 2 integrated GPU throughput and installing comparable Zen 2 octa-core CPUs as minimum targets for fluid gameplay, we get an idea of potential PC configuration demands if Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut showed up for gaming rigs. Budget GPUs likely handle lower settings while high-spec hardware will push graphics further.
Embrace Your Inner Samurai Fantasy
Ghost of Tsushima taps into the inner samurai fantasy and Bushido code allure that intrigues gamers and cinema fans worldwide when envisioning fierce yet noble 13th century Japanese warriors valiantly upholding honor above all else. This story transports you directly into resonating armor embarking across sprawling country sides while forging a disciplined path toward freeing Tsushima from oppressive Mongol rule.
Whether stealthily raining arrows down on unsuspecting invaders from the mists or calling out formidable rivals for dramatic showdowns swinging katanas to the death, Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut fully actualizes the grand samurai legends we revere. Ride proudly on horseback between golden forest groves and tranquil shrines while defending the innocent from harm. You feel every bit the storied masterless samurai your bladework proves you to be while exploring this meditative warrior’s journey.
From Kurosawa-inspired standoffs surrounding enemies to meticulously crafted katana slashes enhanced by controller vibrations, this PS5 upgrade heightens the sights, sounds and sensations defining what samurai cinema made legendary. Strap on gleaming armor and prepare for the warring honor and redemption that awaits in this definitive director’s cut. Your legend continues in Tsushima. Reclaim destiny today.
Vivid Special FX and Cinematography
Beyond unmatched melee systems emulating samurai combat, Ghost of Tsushima also impresses technically through stunning special effects and deliberate cinematography amped further in this PS5 remaster. HDR lighting blossoms across sweeping landscapes haunted by dense foggy passages before thunderstorms rage mirroring internal turmoil. Billowing golden fields contrast woodlands ablaze surrounding bloody battlegrounds emphasized by weighty slow motion kills. environments feel persistently alive channeling atmospheric tones.
These deliberate directorial touches persist into transitional wipes between gameplay scenarios inspired by vintage Japanese cinema. Weather evolves dynamically cycling through blinding blizzards to hazy overcast mornings with rays piercing through cloud breaks naturally without feeling repetitive exploring Tsushima’s countryside. Particle density appears filmic between smoke plumes, fire propagation and turbulent rains stirred by storm winds, with PS5 effects pushed further sans past generation technical constraints.
The culminating artwork successfully grounds hopeless scenarios against untamed environments where redemption continues to grow possible through the emerging Ghost. Visuals manifest samurai film essence through color palettes to framing alike. Sucker Punch transfers iconic atmosphere into interactive form best experienced firsthand wielding the DualSense guiding destiny.
Roleplaying Jin Sakai’s Relatable Struggles
Unlike stoic blank slate protagonists typifying open world conventions, Jin Sakai brims with richer emotional vulnerability and complexity throughout his journey from naïve samurai servant toward renowned resistance leader or feared lone wolf depending on player inclinations. Early fingers point accusing Jin as dishonorable straying from noble samurai tenets before recognizing such flexible adaptation proves necessary sometimes given the Mongols’ merciless tactics.
Jin repeatedly grapples with strategic questions on social change — whether absolute honor must outweigh resolving unyielding oppression through radical means. His more humanizing hesitations amid larger than life scenarios captivate in relatable ways. Audiences understand Jin’s grappling between duty and defiance, fear and bravery, purity and darkness reflected through players’ actions. Villagers celebrate bright salvations yet recoil against Jin’s imposing mythos.
Iki Island expansion furthers humanizing angles as well between hallucinatory hauntings, introspective flashbacks, and reasoning with enemies against blind allegiance contrasting simplistic good versus evil binaries. Thematically, Ghost examines redemption beyond straight righteousness. Compelling characters color Tsushima’s stunning landscape enriched by their hopeful turmoil. Conflict drives Jin while uplifting those he gradually empowers to reclaim homeland.
Exciting Mythic Tales Side Quests
Beyond lengthy main storylines with stranger character encounters sprinkled across the major islands, Ghost’s 2 dozen emotive Mythic Tales deliver deep samurai fables where Jin directly channels Japanese lore facing haunting spirits, liberating cursed villages and relics from dark pasts. These Tales often adopt divergent gameplay structures as well.
Mythic quests send our stalwart hero through ethereal dreamscapes, defending lost caverns against formidable demons alongside magical foxes and other spiritual aids in surreal settings distinguished from core gameplay. One embarks Jin on mesmerizing messenger adventures across picturesque country sides while subtly teaching compassion and humility. Players uncover buried shrines granting visions from legendary mentors or liberate villages from ominous storms.
These self-contained narrative gems tie into broader overarching themes on redemption, honor and devotion while showcasing the studio’s range introducing more fantastical elements paired with environmental puzzle diversity amidst the bigger open world backdrop. Mythic Tales should captivate with their concentrated scope honing gameplay styles and emotive resonance. They reveal what’s possible expanding Ghost’s universe deeper.
The Definitive Samurai Gaming Experience
Ghost of Tsushima garnered immense critical and community acclaim when it first launched in 2020 for masterfully translating iconic samurai film tones into one of the generation’s best open world titles exclusive to PlayStation. Now with the Director’s Cut, Sucker Punch elevates this defining adventure even higher through a meaty Iki Island expansion complemented by a Ps5 remaster bolstering visuals and performance.
Whether you journeyed across Tsushima’s scenic landscapes and liberating settlements before or have yet to take up the katana as honorable Jin Sakai defending his people from ruthless Mongol invaders, Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut beckons your blade with its unrivaled feudal Japanese atmosphere immersing players across a gorgeous countryside primed for stealthy showdowns and clashes with dramatic sword fights straight out of classic Kurosawa epics come alive. This PS5 upgrade cements itself as the quintessential samurai gaming epic no player should miss.
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