Is Ghost of Tsushima Hard on Easy? A Deep Dive into Difficulty
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The short answer is: no, Ghost of Tsushima is not hard on Easy difficulty, but that doesn’t mean it’s a complete walk in the park. While the game’s Easy setting dramatically reduces enemy aggression and damage, it still requires a degree of skill and strategic thinking. You can’t simply button-mash your way to victory. The Easy mode in Ghost of Tsushima is designed to allow players to enjoy the story and exploration without the frustration of constant deaths, making it a very accessible experience. However, the game maintains enough challenge to keep you engaged and learning, even on the lowest difficulty setting. Let’s break down exactly what this means and answer other related questions that might come up.
What Does “Easy” Mean in Ghost of Tsushima?
Reduced Enemy Aggression
On Easy, enemy attacks are less frequent and their patterns become more predictable, giving you more time to react and counter. They are also less likely to engage in coordinated attacks, focusing more on one-on-one encounters.
Lower Damage Output
The damage that enemies inflict on you is drastically reduced. This provides a greater margin for error and allows you to learn combat mechanics without being punished severely for mistakes. You can take more hits without needing to heal as often.
Still Requires Skill
Despite the reduced difficulty, the combat system in Ghost of Tsushima still requires you to learn enemy patterns, master parrying, and use different stances to break defenses. You can’t just mindlessly swing your sword. You’ll still need to engage with the various systems in the game.
Focus on Story and Exploration
The biggest advantage of playing on Easy is that you can really immerse yourself in the world, the story, and the stunning landscape of Tsushima Island without constant interruption from challenging encounters. This can be a great option for players who prioritize narrative over a punishing combat system.
Does Ghost of Tsushima Get Easier Over Time?
Yes, absolutely. Irrespective of your chosen difficulty setting, Ghost of Tsushima becomes easier as you progress. Early on, you’re a fledgling samurai, struggling with limited health, armor, and skills. However, as you continue your journey:
- Upgrading Equipment: You’ll find and unlock new armor and swords that significantly improve your survivability and offensive capabilities.
- Unlocking Techniques: Learning new stances, skills, and ghost weapons dramatically increases your effectiveness in combat.
- Mastering Combat: Through practice and experience, you’ll become more adept at parrying, dodging, and chaining attacks.
- Collecting Charms: Powerful charms grant various buffs and abilities that can greatly enhance your performance in battle.
By the end game, you’ll find yourself a powerful force, capable of dispatching enemies with relative ease, even on higher difficulty settings. This transition from a struggling samurai to a powerful “ghost” is a core part of the game’s design.
The Balance of “Easy” in Ghost of Tsushima
While Easy difficulty makes the game more accessible, it still manages to maintain a sense of accomplishment. It doesn’t hold your hand too tightly, and you’ll still need to learn the game’s systems. The game’s difficulty progression allows you to grow stronger as you master its mechanics and learn how to best handle each scenario, ensuring the game always feels challenging, even if not overly difficult, while you learn.
FAQs about Ghost of Tsushima’s Difficulty
1. Is Ghost of Tsushima considered a hard game overall?
Generally, Ghost of Tsushima is not considered a brutally hard game, especially on the Normal or Easy difficulty settings. It can be challenging early on, but it becomes more manageable as you improve your gear and techniques.
2. What difficulty should I choose if I want a balanced challenge?
The Medium or Medium+ difficulty is recommended for players looking for a balanced and engaging experience. This setting provides a good challenge without being overwhelmingly punishing.
3. Is Hard difficulty in Ghost of Tsushima similar to “Souls-like” games?
No, Hard difficulty in Ghost of Tsushima does not reach the punishing difficulty of games like Dark Souls or Elden Ring. It’s more challenging than Medium, but it’s still manageable for most players with some perseverance.
4. Does Ghost of Tsushima have a Story Mode?
No, there is no specific Story Mode, but the Easy difficulty is designed to offer a relaxed experience, emphasizing the narrative and exploration. This is as close to a ‘story’ mode as it gets.
5. Is Ghost of Tsushima easy to play on Reddit, as per user opinions?
The general consensus on Reddit is that Ghost of Tsushima is not overly difficult. While some players find it challenging early on, most agree that it is manageable and becomes easier over time.
6. Is Ghost of Tsushima kid friendly?
Ghost of Tsushima is rated for Mature audiences due to violence, but there’s no excessive gore or graphic content. The partial nudity is minimal, and swearing is infrequent. It’s generally considered suitable for players 12+.
7. How long does it take to complete Ghost of Tsushima?
The main story takes around 25 hours to complete. A full 100% completion, including side quests and collectibles, can take up to 60-65 hours.
8. What is the best class to start in Ghost of Tsushima: Legends?
The Samurai class is often recommended for beginners in Ghost of Tsushima: Legends, due to their well-rounded abilities and suitability for both solo and team play.
9. What should I level up first in Ghost of Tsushima?
Focus on upgrading the Strength of Mountains skill early on. This increases stagger damage against sword blocks, making duels much easier.
10. Is stealth required in Ghost of Tsushima?
While stealth is beneficial, it is not strictly required. You can play the game using a combination of stealth and direct combat. Failing stealth will only mean that a fight is more difficult, however.
11. What’s harder: Ghost of Tsushima or Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice?
Sekiro is significantly harder than Ghost of Tsushima. Sekiro is known for its challenging combat, requiring precise timing and reflexes.
12. What are the hardest duels in Ghost of Tsushima?
Some of the hardest duels include Lord Shimura, Khotun Khan, The Eagle, and several other boss encounters throughout the game, often at the end of larger quests and character arcs.
13. Is Ghost of Tsushima open-world?
Yes, Ghost of Tsushima is a free-roam open-world game. It lets you explore the island of Tsushima at your own pace.
14. What is the Lethal difficulty in Ghost of Tsushima?
Lethal difficulty is a higher setting than Hard, where both you and your enemies deal more damage. It’s meant to be a more intense experience, but it’s not necessarily more complicated to handle than Hard.
15. What game is most like Ghost of Tsushima?
Many games share similarities to Ghost of Tsushima. Popular comparisons include Assassin’s Creed Rogue and The Witcher 3, mainly for their open-world exploration and combat mechanics.
Conclusion
Ultimately, Ghost of Tsushima is designed to be an enjoyable experience for players of all skill levels. On Easy difficulty, the game is very approachable, allowing players to experience a compelling story and a beautiful world without getting overwhelmed. While it may not be a “button-mashing” cakewalk, it certainly presents a comfortable challenge that’s perfect for new players or those looking for a more relaxed gaming experience. If you are more experienced and want to dive into a more difficult version, then higher difficulties certainly provide that. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different difficulties to find what suits you best, as the most important thing is that you’re enjoying your time in the world of Tsushima.