Ghost of Tsushima is finally here, and it’s been getting a ton of kudos from critics and gamers alike for its amazing visuals, interactive open world, and excellent stealth/action mechanics.
Fans of Japanese history will enjoy what the game has to offer, but there’s a ton of other games out there with a similar feel. After finishing Ghost of Tsushima, there are 10 games waiting in the wings for their own slice at the pie. Here they are, in no particular order.
10 Onimusha: Warlords
Capcom applied its survival horror fixed camera formula that was first made popular in Resident Evil to another, unrelated franchise known as Onimusha. It was the first game in the series hit the PlayStation 2 in 2001, and it did so to much fanfare.
The story focuses on a master samurai named Samanosuke who battles the demonic forces of Nobunaga Oda during Japan’s Sengoku period. It went on to become a major hit on the PS2 before it was re-released in 2019 in remastered form for the Switch, PS4, Xbox One, and PC.
9 Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance
Konami’s Metal Gear games are renowned for their impressive focus on stealth tactics and gameplay, as well as killer action sequences and deep, complex storylines. Most of that would go out the window in favor of straight-up, insanely high octane action in Metal Gear Rising.
The game was originally supposed to feature highly complex swordfighting mechanics and cutting physics, but most of it was jettisoned in favor of a more streamlined and simplistic system. Still, it works.
8 Samurai Shodown
They may be worlds apart in terms of gameplay styles, but Samurai Shodown is one Neo Geo hit that is sure to satisfy everyone’s desire for more samurai action. This arcade franchise spawned a number of sequels based on SNK’s excellent fighting engine.
Whilst a 2D fighter, there are enough nods to Japanese culture and style to allow gamers to make an easy transition from the immersive world of Tsushima to the far more colorful vision of Samurai Shodown.
7 Tenchu: Wrath of Heaven
Ghost of Tsushima arguably steals elements from Activision’s Tenchu franchise, and that’s not a bad thing. Ninja-based stealth mechanics are a core foundation of both titles, with Tsushima feeling like a spiritual successor to Tenchu in every way.
The PS2 release of Wrath of Heaven is arguably the best entry in the Tenchu series. It refines the gameplay mechanics and stealth-action gameplay of the PS1 original, while still retaining that unbeatable feel.
6 Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
If Ghost of Tsushima has any sort of immediate competition, it’s coming from Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. Similar in appearance and tone, they are actually two very different games.
Sekiro is focused far more on fast action and white-knuckle samurai combat, whereas Tsushima wants the player to adopt a more stealthy approach. Still, it’s perhaps the easiest title to transition to after beating Tsushima.
5 Shogun: Total War
The deep and immersive setting and visuals in Ghost of Tsushima are enough to get anyone in the spirit of ancient Japanese culture, making it easy to transition to games with a similar spirit, even if they’re quite different in gameplay.
Shogun: Total War is a classic turn-based strategy game which is also set in the Senjoku era, and has been lauded for its attention to detail and historical accuracy. It may lack the hands-on action gameplay of Tsushima, but it’s sure to keep the Japanese spirit going.
4 Nobunaga’s Ambition
Another turn-based strategy title that has received many accolades is Nobunaga’s Ambition, released in 1986 before being ported to almost every classic gaming platform imaginable.
Deceptively simplistic in appearance, the game would go on to inspire a ton of historical strategy titles with its immersive gameplay and story. By today’s standards, it’s practically stone-age, but fans of Tsushima might enjoy going back in time to experience the kinds of games that would inspire it.
3 Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun
Fans of the original Fallout and Shadowrun titles will find a lot to like about Shadow Tactics, thanks to its isometric overhead gameplay and RTS game mechanics. It’s a beautifully drawn game with a strong emphasis on immersion.
The inclusion of stealth mechanics effectively turns Shadow Tactics into an RTS equivalent of Tsushima, which makes it easy for players to get into. The secret agent-style mission objectives round out the package.
2 Bushido Blade
The PlayStation sported a ton of 3D fighting games which were making huge headway in the late 1990s, but Bushido Blade was a cut above the rest (no pun intended). The focus was purely on realism thanks to a body damage system which allowed players to maim or cripple their opponents, or kill them with a single strike.
This necessitated a high degree of practice and skill with a weapon while adhering to the Bushido code of honor. Fighting dirty would cost the player, forcing them to stay honorable throughout the game’s prolonged tactical fights.
1 Soul Calibur
Unrealistic as they come, Soul Calibur won’t win any awards for its adherence to historical accuracy, but it is a ton of fun, nonetheless. One of the first 3D fighting games to really nail the fluidity of true motion, Soul Calibur made a huge splash, especially on the ill-fated Sega Dreamcast.
Like Onimusha,Soul Calibur is heavy on mystical elements, with a storyline revolving around a group of fighters trying to get their hands on an evil sword, for various reasons. The ultra-realistic and smooth combat is a highlight of the game, with a heavy focus on tactics, counterattacks, and parrying.
NEXT: 10 Things We Wish We Knew Before Starting Ghost of Tsushima
