Do You Have to Do Side Quests in Ghost of Tsushima?
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The direct answer is no, you don’t have to do side quests in Ghost of Tsushima to complete the main story. However, bypassing them entirely would be a significant disservice to your overall experience. Side quests, formally known as Tales of Tsushima, are interwoven into the game’s rich tapestry, offering valuable character development, world-building, and mechanical benefits. While not mandatory for reaching the credits, they are highly recommended.
Why You Should Consider Engaging With Side Quests
Ghost of Tsushima’s brilliance lies not just in its compelling main narrative but also in the deeply personal stories of the island’s inhabitants and the challenges Jin Sakai faces as he wrestles with his honor and the realities of war. The Tales of Tsushima enrich this experience exponentially.
Character Development and World-Building
Side quests allow you to delve deeper into Jin’s character and witness his transformation. You encounter memorable individuals with their own struggles, hopes, and fears, all impacted by the Mongol invasion. These interactions paint a vivid picture of Tsushima’s pre-invasion society and the devastation the invaders are wreaking. They add nuance and emotional weight to Jin’s quest to liberate his homeland. Avoiding these quests means missing out on crucial context and a greater understanding of the world and its people.
Gameplay Advantages and Rewards
Beyond enriching the narrative, side quests offer tangible gameplay benefits. Completing them rewards you with:
- Technique Points: These points are essential for unlocking new combat skills and improving existing ones, making Jin a more formidable warrior. A Ghost focused build is nearly impossible without them.
- Charms: Charms provide passive bonuses, enhancing Jin’s abilities in various ways, such as increasing health, damage, or stealth effectiveness. These are powerful tools for customizing your playstyle.
- Resources: Resources like supplies, iron, and bamboo are necessary for upgrading your gear and crafting essential items.
- Increased Legend: Increasing your legend unlocks new armor sets and allows you to wear higher-tier gear. It is crucial to becoming truly powerful.
- Armor Dyes: Customize the look of your favorite armor sets.
Simply put, ignoring side quests will make the main story more challenging and prevent you from maximizing Jin’s potential.
Thematic Resonance
Thematically, the side quests reinforce the central conflict of the game: Jin’s internal struggle between adhering to the rigid samurai code and adopting unconventional “ghost” tactics to defeat the Mongols. Many Tales of Tsushima explore the moral complexities of warfare and the sacrifices required to protect the innocent. By engaging in these quests, you actively participate in Jin’s journey of self-discovery and his ultimate acceptance of the “Ghost” persona.
What Happens If You Skip the Side Quests?
While you can complete the main story without doing side quests, you will likely face the following challenges:
- Increased Difficulty: Without upgraded skills, charms, and gear, combat encounters will be significantly more difficult.
- Limited Customization: You’ll have fewer options for customizing Jin’s playstyle and adapting to different combat situations.
- Missed Content: You’ll miss out on a significant portion of the game’s narrative, world-building, and character development.
- Reduced Enjoyment: The game becomes a much more streamlined, less personal experience.
In essence, skipping side quests diminishes the overall impact and enjoyment of Ghost of Tsushima. You’ll be sacrificing depth and richness for a quicker, but ultimately less satisfying, playthrough.
Conclusion
While not strictly required, Tales of Tsushima are an integral part of the Ghost of Tsushima experience. They offer invaluable character development, world-building, gameplay advantages, and thematic resonance. Engaging with these quests will not only make you a more powerful warrior but also deepen your appreciation for the game’s story and setting. Therefore, while you can skip them, you absolutely shouldn’t. Embrace the Tales of Tsushima and fully immerse yourself in the world of Jin Sakai.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How many side quests are there in Ghost of Tsushima?
There are roughly 61 Tales of Tsushima scattered throughout the island. These are broken down into different categories, including Jin’s Journey, Character Tales, and World Tales.
2. Are there any missable side quests?
While most side quests remain available throughout the game, some character-specific Tales might become unavailable towards the very end of the story. It’s generally recommended to complete all side quests as they become available to avoid missing out.
3. Do side quests affect the ending of Ghost of Tsushima?
No, side quests do not directly influence the ending of the game. The ending is determined by the choices you make during the main story. However, the emotional weight of the ending can be significantly amplified by the relationships you develop through the side quests.
4. How do I find side quests?
Side quests are marked on the map with white icons. You can also discover them by exploring the world and encountering NPCs who need help. Listen to rumors and follow the golden birds to find new quests.
5. Are some side quests better than others?
Yes, the quality of side quests varies. Some are simple fetch quests, while others offer deep emotional narratives and challenging combat encounters. Character-specific Tales tend to be more impactful than World Tales.
6. Can I replay side quests?
No, you cannot replay side quests in Ghost of Tsushima. Once completed, they are permanently marked as done. However, you can start a New Game Plus to experience them again.
7. Do I need to complete all side quests for the platinum trophy?
Yes, completing all Tales of Tsushima is required for the platinum trophy. It’s one of the more time-consuming trophies to acquire, but the reward is well worth the effort.
8. What’s the best order to do side quests in?
There’s no strict “best” order, but it’s generally advisable to complete the Tales as they become available in each region (Izuhara, Toyotama, and Kamiagata) before progressing too far in the main story. This ensures you’re adequately leveled and equipped for the challenges ahead.
9. Do side quests have different difficulty levels?
While the game doesn’t explicitly state difficulty levels for side quests, some are inherently more challenging than others due to enemy types and combat scenarios. Tales that involve Mongol camps or fortresses tend to be more difficult.
10. How do I track my progress on side quests?
You can track your progress on side quests in the “Tales” section of the game’s menu. This section lists all available and completed quests, along with their rewards.
11. Are there any “secret” side quests?
Yes, some side quests are not explicitly marked on the map and require exploration or specific interactions to trigger. These often involve discovering hidden locations or helping villagers in distress.
12. Can I abandon a side quest if I don’t want to do it?
No, you cannot abandon a side quest once you’ve accepted it. You must either complete it or ignore it. However, ignoring a quest will not prevent you from progressing in the main story.
13. Do side quests affect my honor?
No, side quests do not directly impact Jin’s honor. His honor is primarily affected by choices made during the main story and certain key dialogues. However, completing acts of kindness and helping others can be seen as upholding the spirit of the samurai code, even if it bends the rules.
14. Are the side quests in the Iki Island expansion different?
Yes, the side quests in the Iki Island expansion are separate from the main game’s Tales of Tsushima. They offer new stories, characters, and challenges, and contribute to a distinct narrative arc.
15. Are side quests easier to complete in New Game Plus?
Yes, playing in New Game Plus allows you to carry over your unlocked skills, gear, and resources, making side quests significantly easier to complete, especially on higher difficulty settings. You can focus on the narrative and enjoy the stories without struggling as much with combat.