Ghost of Tsushima DIRECTOR’S CUT is a meticulously crafted action-adventure game that transcends its genre to deliver an evocative and immersive experience. Developed by Sucker Punch Productions and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment, this Director’s Cut edition builds upon the original 2020 release with enhanced visuals, additional content, and various quality-of-life improvements, making it a definitive version for both newcomers and returning players. And on PC, it is the most immersive and incredible experience.
After the Mongols invade the islands of Japan, Jin Sakai has been left for dead, when he’s saved not once but twice to become the hero of Tsushima. In a very short time, he’ll have to deal with the internal conflict of his samurai upbringing and ninja-style way of taking islands back by any means necessary. In terms of narrative, Ghost of Tsushima DIRECTOR’S CUT delivers a poignant and compelling story that explores themes of honor, sacrifice, and the clash between tradition and innovation. Jin’s transformation from a samurai to the titular Ghost is portrayed with depth and nuance, and the additional content on Iki Island only serves to deepen our understanding of his character. The writing is strong, with well-developed supporting characters and a storyline that keeps players engaged from start to finish.
Gameplay in Ghost of Tsushima DIRECTOR’S CUT remains as sharp and responsive as ever. The combat system, which emphasizes precision and timing, continues to be a standout feature. The introduction of new combat techniques and enemy types on Iki Island injects fresh challenges that require players to adapt their strategies. The game balances stealth and direct combat seamlessly, allowing players to approach each situation in a manner that suits their playstyle. The addition of the Sakai Horse Armor, exclusive to the Director’s Cut, is a nice touch that enhances the overall experience. You have resolve which can be used to restore health if you take damage during combat, and resolve fills from kills.
Most of your time in the game will be completing tales. These are the main quests, which are often multi-part story arcs. The side missions also follow a similar pattern. So there are quests that move the story forward, and ones that improve Jin. The side missions can get repetitive, and despite the improvements, the AI can occasionally exhibit erratic behavior. However, these issues are minor in the grand scheme and do little to detract from the overall excellence of the game.
There are various outfits, weapons, and upgrades to obtain. All of which feel meaningful, and improve Jin’s survivability for combat. There are many detours where you can chase foxes to increase the number of charms you can equip or something simply like making a headband out of a haiku you wrote from your surroundings. The activities in Ghost of Tsushima DIRECTOR’S CUT feel meaningful and equally rewarding.
One cannot discuss Ghost of Tsushima without highlighting its exceptional audio design and musical score. The Director’s Cut continues this tradition with an enhanced audio mix that brings the sounds of Tsushima to life. From the rustling of leaves in the wind to the clash of steel during intense battles, every auditory element is meticulously crafted to enhance immersion. The game’s score, composed by Ilan Eshkeri and Shigeru Umebayashi, remains a powerful accompaniment to the emotional and epic journey of Jin Sakai.
For players who appreciate a rich, photo-realistic environment, the game’s Photo Mode has been enhanced with new features, allowing for even greater creativity in capturing the beauty of Tsushima and Iki Island. This mode has been a beloved feature since the original release, and its enhancements in the Director’s Cut further solidify its appeal.
The Director’s Cut also brings several quality-of-life improvements that refine the core gameplay. Notably, the inclusion of a lock-on feature during combat addresses a common critique from the original release, making enemy engagements more manageable and fluid. The enhanced Japanese lip-sync, enabled by the increased processing power of current-gen hardware, enriches the authenticity of the game’s setting and storytelling, ensuring that every dialogue feels more natural and immersive. The game’s also UI has been tweaked for better accessibility, and new difficulty settings cater to a broader range of players, from those seeking a more relaxed experience to hardcore gamers looking for a challenge. Moreover, the Director’s Cut features improvements that enhance the overall user experience. Fast travel loading times are significantly reduced, making exploration more seamless and less time-consuming.
One of the most significant additions in the Director’s Cut is the Iki Island expansion. This new area, brimming with fresh content, invites players to explore a darker and more personal chapter in Jin’s story. Iki Island is not just a side mission; it is a fully realized expansion that delves deeper into Jin’s past, revealing more about his father’s legacy and the struggles that shape him into the Ghost. The island itself offers a stark contrast to Tsushima, with its unique biomes, challenging enemies, and engaging side quests that provide a substantial extension to the main narrative.
Multiplayer enthusiasts will find value in the included Legends mode, an online cooperative experience that expands on the single-player campaign with unique classes and missions. The Director’s Cut enhances this mode with new content and improvements, ensuring it remains a robust and engaging part of the overall package.
While Ghost of Tsushima DIRECTOR’S CUT excels in many areas, it is not without minor flaws. Most of the cutscenes are in-engine, and they look phenomenal. Then there are times that the pre-rendered cutscenes that play in 21:9, and this looks goofy.
At the start, you’re able to connect the game to your PlayStation account and get the PlayStation overlay and unlock trophies. It’s not much, but it is essential for crossplay of its Legends mode, and a nice bonus if you do own a PlayStation 5.
The game supports DLSS Frame Generation and its Super sampling technology, and with everything maxed and the DLSS off, I was able to achieve 120fps without issue. It looks absolutely stunning in 21:9, and supports even super ultrawide monitors on top of that. The game is incredibly well optimized, and I could see many types of PCs being able to play this and enjoy its visual splendor.
My PC Specs:
– Microsoft Windows 11 Pro
– Intel Core i9 13900K @ 5.8GHz
– ASUS ROG RYUJIN II 360 ARGB AIO Liquid CPU Cooler
– G.SKILL TRIDENT Z5 6000MHZ 64GB (32×2) DDR5 RAM
– ASUS ROG Strix GeForce RTX 4080 16GB GDDR6X
– WD_BLACK SN850X M.2 (4 TB)
– LG UltraGear 34GP950B-G (21:9 Ultrawide @ 3440×1440)
Ghost of Tsushima DIRECTOR’S CUT is an open-world you want to spend time in, and doesn’t waste any of it. While there’s no version that precedes it on PC, it’s an incredible game of storytelling, action, drama, and gameplay that’s a cut above the rest. Whether you’re new to the game or revisiting it, there’s so much to love here. Simply put, Ghost of Tsushima DIRECTOR’S CUT is a masterpiece.
A Steam code was provided by the publisher for review purposes