Open-world games are more plentiful than ever. But even with this over-abundance of games in the genre, Ghost of Tsushima manages to stand out from the pack with its unique setting, visceral combat, and story about the sacrifices one makes in order to save their home.
Exploring the island of Tsushima in the PlayStation 4 exclusive is half the game’s allure, and the map is filled with little secrets. There are tons of cool things most players miss while playing Ghost of Tsushima, from bits about the gameplay to hidden details while moving through the world. Most of these go to show the amount of work Sucker Punch put into this exquisite game.
10 Hidden Altars
While most bonus activities are marked on the map, the 10 hidden altars are not highlighted, making players look for them the old-fashioned way. Each one triggers a reaction from nature upon successfully bowing in front of them, and doing all 10 unlocks a trophy. Even for those disinterested in the trophy system, finding all of them is still a fun diversion.
9 Sly Cooper Reference
Before Sucker Punch even made their own superhero universe with Infamous, they clawed their way into Sony fans’ hearts with Sly Cooper, starring everyone’s favorite anthropomorphic raccoon.
By combining the Crooked Kama Headband, Gosaku’s Armor, Sly Tanuki Sword Kit, and Ocean’s Guardian Armor Dye, the player’s attire will slightly resemble the old mascot. Not only is it a cute reference, but it also unlocks a trophy.
8 Observing Mongol Leaders
Players start out with only one stance and unlock more as they kill Mongol leaders. Stealthy players will notice a way to unlock the stances faster. While hiding in the shadows, it is possible to observe the leaders to gain one point towards unlocking a stance. Players then gain an additional point after killing the leader. With this technique, players can have all the stances unlocked well before the second act starts.
7 Jin Walking Through Tall Grass
One of the game’s major drawing points is its enthralling world. The developers accomplish this by removing a mini map and letting nature guide Jin towards destinations. The protagonist also subtly interacts with the world while traversing. When walking or riding through tall grass, for example, Jin will extend his hand out and feel it as he passes by, reminiscent of the iconic shot from Gladiator.
6 Jin’s House
Jin has a new base of operations after the game ends. Inside are many objects with which the player can interact, but there is an even deeper Easter egg hiding in plain site. On a table near the center are numerous origami objects. They all represent Sony properties, including Ratchet and Clank, Shadow of the Colossus, and The Last of Us, among several others. While it doesn’t make sense in the world, it is a sweet homage to the PlayStation brand.
5 The Differences Between Honorable And Dishonorable Combat
Stealth and honorable combat go beyond just the way someone plays. Those who dabble in both may have noticed the difference in the way bouts end depending on how Jin approaches the situation. If he takes his opponents head on, the samurai will wipe the blood off his sword and honor the dead with a bow after a victory. If he sneakily assassinates them, no such ceremony takes place.
4 Infamous Reference
Despite how different Ghost of Tsushima is from the studio’s Infamous, Sucker Punch did not forget to throw a nod towards their last franchise in the new title.
At the top of the Omi Monastery Pagoda sits the Band of the Second Son, whose color is a nod to Delsin Rowe, the protagonist from Infamous: Second Son.
3 Using Animals In Combat
While the game has drawn comparisons to Assassin’s Creed 2, this trick is straight out of Far Cry’s playbook.
Inside some Mongol camps are bears in cages. Sneaky players can open them from afar and let the beasts run rampant through the area, watching as the bears kill several enemies before being bested. While freeing trapped animals is an honorable thing to do, killing enemies by having a bear maul them to death is a little more ethically questionable.
2 The Face Buttons Stance Mapping
All the stances serve a different purpose in combat, and they are easy to remember if you realize the connection between the face buttons and their respective stances. The X button resembles crossed swords, while O is a shield; the triangle button is a spearhead, while the square represents the brute, most likely due to their body type. This association should better help players memorize the stances’ utility.
1 How Gameplay Affects The Weather
Weather is a large reason why the world looks so gorgeous. While the flute is a more direct way to control what nature does, behavior during combat also impacts whether clear skies or thunderstorms more heavily populate Tsushima. Honorable players will see clear skies more often, while those who indulge in the ways of the ghost will see more thunderstorms and clouds throughout their journey, perhaps showcasing nature’s displeasure with Jin’s dishonorable ways.
