Ghost of Tsushima was officially released over a week ago on July 17th of this year, and like so many other gamers I was excited to jump on the bandwagon to begin to play this gorgeous new action-adventure released by Sucker Punch Productions. Over a week into playing GoT, I still have yet to complete the first act, because I’m finding so much to do and see as I explore the island of Tsushima, and finding new ways to develop Jin Sakai as I take down the Mongol horde. While not a perfect game (the A.I I think could be a bit stronger for a game of this caliber), I am continuously in awe by the breadth of natural beauty the developers have made Tsushima out to be, and I love seeing how the landscape morphs and changes around me as I travel from one location to another. 

I can see Jin’s personal struggle begin to play out in this first act, as he wants nothing more than to protect and free his homeland from the death and violence the Mongols have brought to his country. To do this, he slowly has to give up what he has been taught all of his life to abide by as a samurai: To look his opponents in the eye when challenging them, and to face each battle with honor instead of deception. Jin realizes abiding by this honorable code would not only result in his death, but his failure to free his homeland. It is apparent that this is a difficult choice for him, and I cannot wait to see how the plot further challenges him both as a samurai and as an individual. If you haven’t yet played Ghost of Tsushima, or even given it a try, you’re missing out on what could be one of the best releases of 2020.