Summary
Though the two samurai games will likely be wildly different,Ghost of Tsushima 2ought to take a page out ofRise of the Ronin’s book with regard to traversal. Looking to Team Ninja’s upcoming action-adventure game for inspiration in this area is something that couldgreatly benefitGhost of Tsushima’s sequel, insofar as it could elevate moment-to-moment gameplay and exploration.
Gaming audiences have enjoyed a number of great samurai-centric games over the past few years, withGhost of Tsushimaregularly topping lists of the best of the subgenre. Stunning visuals, seamless exploration, and satisfying, slick combat helped make Sucker Punch’s historical action game a hit, and fans are eagerly awaiting news about a follow-up. That being said, it’s not perfect. One of the most common criticisms of the game has to do with its open-world design, and how it feels too similar to other major franchises likeAssassin’s Creedor theHorizongames. While there are several ways that Sucker Punch could evolve and polish open-world exploration inGhost of Tsushima 2, a more engaging movement system could be a good place to start.
Ghost of Tsushima 2 Should Learn from Rise of the Ronin’s Glider
Team Ninja gave audiences a better glimpse ofRise of the Ronin’s gameplayduring this month’s State of Play, with the developer showcasing not just the game’s flashy combat, but its impressive-looking traversal mechanics. The game will feature a grappling hook, like so many other games, but this mechanic can be combined with a handglider, allowing players to cover more distance while in the air without losing momentum.Ghost of Tsushimashould emulate this feature.
Making Ghost of Tsushima 2’s Movement More Enjoyable
Ghost of Tsushima’s sprawling open-worldis lovingly crafted, with attention to detail and fidelity that makes the most of the PlayStation’s technical capabilities. Still, riding around on horseback and sprinting on foot can get old after a while, no matter how pretty the scenery is. To remedy this,Ghost of Tsushima2should implement some more engaging movement mechanics, and a glider similar to the one inRise of the Roninwould be a great fit.
Rise of the Ronintakes place at a point in history nearly 600 years afterGhost of Tsushima, so differences in technology would have to be addressed ifGhost of Tsushima 2were to include a glider.
It’s likely thatGhost of Tsushima 2will be groundedin its premise, so more supernatural or superhuman movement abilities are probably out of the question. However, Sucker Punch could probably stretch the bounds of realism just a bit to include a glider without it being too distracting or implausible. This sort of mechanic could work wonders for the game’s exploration, allowing players to crank up the speed of their traversal. Combining this with the already-existing grapple hook mechanic from the first game could lead to a skill-based movement system, which would synergize with typical open-world activities.
Exploration wouldn’t have to be the only aspect elevated by the inclusion of the glider. Players could better fill the role of afearsome warrior inGhost of Tsushima 2if the glider were implemented in combat and stealth scenarios; the ability could be used to escape tight spots, survey an area before taking a stealthy approach, or rain death from above with arrows or other ranged tools. If properly balanced, the glider could greatly expand the already-solid combat of the series.
Although there may be somefans that would be happy with more of the same,Ghost of Tsushima 2is in a position to totally overhaul gameplay in a meaningful way.Sucker Punch already broke traditionwith the first game, so the sequel should push the envelope even further.
Ghost of Tsushima
WHERE TO PLAY
A storm is coming. Discover the expanded Ghost of Tsushima experience in this Director’s Cut. Uncover the hidden wonders of Tsushima in this open-world action adventure from Sucker Punch Productions and PlayStation Studios, available for PS5 and PS4. Forge a new path and wage an unconventional war for the freedom of Tsushima. Challenge opponents with your katana, master the bow to eliminate distant threats, develop stealth tactics to ambush enemies and explore a new story on Iki Island.
