I got my hands on the Ghost of Tsushima PC version a few days ago, and immediately dove in to compare it with my old PS4/PS5 experiences. The new graphical options and PC performance have taken this fantastic game to a whole new level. Jin Sakai’s adventures are as breathtaking as ever on the screen. In this review, I’ll share why it’s worth rediscovering the island of Tsushima on PC.

For our review of the original PS4 game, make sure to check out our full Ghost of Tsushima PS4 review here. First, let’s see how the PC version differs from the previous PS4 and PS5 versions, and whether it still packs the punch of the strongest wasabi on your sushi.

Tsushima Reloaded: samurai adventures on PC

I’ve been playing the Ghost of Tsushima PC version for a few days, and I must say, the PC port is fantastic. From the first launch, the variety of graphical settings stood out. The 21:9 and 32:9 ultrawide support made the game incredibly immersive, especially with the beautiful landscapes and intense battles.

Performance is flawless. NVIDIA DLSS 3 and AMD FSR 3 technologies not only boosted the frame rate but also enhanced image quality, keeping everything sharp and detailed. Intel XeSS upscaling also improved the visuals, especially on high-resolution monitors.

Controller support on PC is excellent, and with Steam Input, it’s easily customizable for any peripheral. The haptic feedback and adaptive triggers on the PlayStation 5 DualSense controller were particularly impressive, adding a new level to the gameplay experience.

The game’s performance remained stable even on high settings. With the frame rate unlock option, I could maximize my PC’s performance, and the stronger configurations performed brilliantly. Ultrawide monitor support was flawless, and the visuals at 21:9 and 32:9 resolutions were truly spectacular.

Overall, the Ghost of Tsushima PC version excels in every aspect, and the technical improvements have elevated the gameplay experience even further. The developers, Sucker Punch and Nixxes Software, have done an outstanding job with optimization, allowing players to fully utilize their PC’s capabilities. For Steam Deck tips and tricks, you can read more here.

A classic open-world, efficient and improved

The gameplay of this Director’s Cut remains the same as what you knew with Ghost of Tsushima. The game was one of the best open worlds of 2020. If the formula is now well known, exploring an entire continent with its activities, challenges, and stories is still satisfying, especially when it is so beautiful. But Sucker Punch has slipped in some improvements to the overall quality of life of the game.

The fights are even more precise than they were. To facilitate your parries and dodges, it is now possible to lock a target, an option inexplicably missing from the original game. In terms of additions, your horse will now have the ability to charge and knock down your enemies. Other than that, it’s still familiar territory.

The structure of the Director’s Cut remains the same, and the main thread can be followed in just under four hours. Many side quests and legends are to be discovered and add a few more hours of gameplay on Iki, and perfectionists will be able to spend even more time searching every corner of this new island. It is slightly smaller than each of the three Tsushima regions but just as dense in activity.

Shima means island

The new island of Iki is the main attraction of this Director’s Cut. For those who have a Ghost of Tsushima save game lying around on the hard drive, it will be possible to access it provided that you have progressed at least to the second central region of the base game. So you don’t need to have finished the game. A brand new area to explore, that’s all fans of the game could hope for. The landscapes are as beautiful as ever and do not fall into the trap of repetition. We have beautiful and new sceneries, very different from what we could find on Tsushima.

The usual activities are still there, with haikus to compose, training bamboos, hot springs, and new ones spicing up the exploration. This exploration is always done with the same subtlety, and following the birds or the fireflies will always allow you to stumble on a hidden point of interest nearby. Mongols are, of course, omnipresent on Iki, and there will be many camps to liberate, always with side objectives to spice up your fights. This version is an excellent addition: it is now possible to replay any quest or activity already done directly from the world map.

Flute Hero

This Director’s Cut offers a few new side activities, a pretext for littering the map with icons and points of interest. Ghost of Tsushima still rewards exploration. This time, you can find archery challenges in a bamboo forest and animal sanctuaries where you can play the flute, using the gyroscope of your controller to charm the local wildlife.

The fights on the island of Iki offer a new challenge. Two significant new features shake up your habits: the Mongols now have the presence of mind to change their weapon in the middle of a fight, forcing you to adapt your posture constantly to remain effective. The confrontations are even more dynamic and exciting, and you will have to rethink your strategy at every moment. Moreover, a new type of opponent is there to make your life difficult: the shaman, who can strengthen his companions with terrifying chants.

Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut is a classic and unsurprising expansion, and that’s finally what we wanted. We fell in love with Jin Sakai’s Japan last year, and all we wanted to do was to go back to this universe and learn more about its inhabitants. The result is so satisfying that we want more and more, and the adventure on Iki may seem a bit short. Once the island has been explored in all directions, we can only wait for one thing: the next part.

Let the samurai spirit embrace your PC

The Director’s Cut is a fantastic addition to your PC game library, whether you’re a seasoned samurai in Tsushima’s world or just sharpening your first katana! The PC version leverages the latest graphical technologies, offering stunning visuals and smooth gameplay. The customizable controls and DualSense controller support elevate the experience. There’s no need for additional payments like console upgrades – just dive into the perfected adventure. If you’ve been putting off playing Ghost of Tsushima, now is the perfect time to immerse yourself in Jin Sakai’s story.

The PC version showcases Tsushima’s breathtaking world better than ever with ultrawide monitor support and new graphical settings. The new enemy classes and refined combat system bring fresh challenges and enjoyable gameplay. The Iki Island expansion and numerous side quests offer a wealth of content, ensuring hours of engagement. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to step into the shoes of a true samurai, now is the time to experience this marvelous adventure on PC.

-Herpai Gergely (BadSector)-

Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment

Developer: Sucker Punch

Genre: open-world action RPG

Release date: August 19, 2021