Should You Finish Ghost of Tsushima Before Venturing to Iki Island? A Comprehensive Guide
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The question of when to tackle the Iki Island expansion in Ghost of Tsushima is a common one, and rightfully so. This downloadable content offers a compelling side story, but its difficulty and narrative context raise concerns about optimal timing. The short answer? Yes, it is strongly recommended to finish the main story of Ghost of Tsushima before embarking on your journey to Iki Island. While not a strict requirement, doing so provides a more rewarding, less frustrating, and narratively coherent experience. This article delves into why this is the case, outlining the benefits of completing the main game first and addressing common concerns through a series of frequently asked questions.
Why Finish the Main Story First?
Story and Narrative Flow
The primary reason to postpone your Iki Island adventure is the narrative context. While the Iki Island story is designed to stand somewhat alone, it carries a certain weight and resonance that’s enhanced by the completion of Jin’s main journey. Tackling it after the main story allows you to view Jin’s character development in its entirety. You’ll better understand his motivations, traumas, and his acceptance of the ‘Ghost’ identity. Without this context, many emotional nuances of the Iki Island narrative may be less impactful. Iki Island revisits Jin’s past and confronts him with a new set of challenges while he grapples with his identity and his own demons; experiencing this after his pivotal main story arc will lead to a richer and more satisfying narrative experience.
Combat and Difficulty
Another crucial aspect is the difficulty. Iki Island is noticeably more challenging than the main game, even on the same difficulty setting. The enemies there are tougher, more aggressive, and often utilize different combat tactics. Going in unprepared will likely result in frustration and frequent defeats, potentially hindering your enjoyment of the DLC. By completing the main game first, you will have maximized Jin’s abilities, unlocked all combat stances, acquired powerful gear, and sharpened your skills. This makes navigating Iki Island’s challenges much more manageable and enjoyable. You’ll be equipped with a wider array of abilities, tools, and tactics, including the Ghost Stance, which will be pivotal to success.
Access to All Tools and Abilities
Completing the main game ensures you have access to all of Jin’s tools and abilities. These include fully upgraded combat stances, mythic techniques, charms, and more. These aren’t just helpful; they’re almost essential for tackling the harder fights and varied challenges on Iki. The article mentioned how you should at least wait until Act 3, where you unlock the Ghost Stance but ultimately, completing the whole story is the ideal solution.
Progression and Gear
The game allows players to leave Iki Island to level up and earn more abilities. While technically possible, this breaks the flow of the DLC’s story and is less than ideal. By finishing the main story, you’ll have had sufficient opportunities to upgrade your gear, health, resolve, and other aspects of your character to a high level. Going to Iki Island before completing the main game means you are more likely to hit a combat wall.
Enhanced Enjoyment
The aim of playing games is to enjoy the experience, and going to Iki Island without the above-mentioned things could take away some of that enjoyment. While it’s true that the story is somewhat vague, meaning that the DLC can slot into different areas, the recommendation is to complete it last. You will be in a position to tackle the challenges presented with all of Jin’s knowledge and experience.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Iki Island and Game Progression
Here are some common questions players have regarding Iki Island and when to access it:
1. Can you leave Iki Island before finishing it?
Yes, but only up to a certain point. Once you start the “Journey into the Past” mission and arrive on Iki Island, you can freely roam and explore until you trigger the main quest chain. However, you will be unable to fast travel back to Tsushima once you delve deeper into the Iki Island story and until you have completed all of its main story missions.
2. What should I do before going to Iki Island?
Before you head to Iki Island, prioritize the following:
- Upgrade your deflection and evasion skills.
- Upgrade your standoffs.
- Increase your health bar.
- Complete the Mythic Tales.
- Unlock all combat stances.
- Increase your Resolve.
- Unlock the Ghost Stance.
3. Is Iki Island harder than Tsushima?
Yes, the Iki Island DLC is notably more difficult than the base game. The enemies are stronger, more aggressive, and use different attack patterns, requiring players to be more strategic and skillful in their combat approach.
4. When does Iki Island unlock?
Iki Island unlocks after reaching a certain point in the main game. When it’s available, you will see a notification in the Journal tab of the Pause menu.
5. How do you get to Iki Island?
To begin your Iki Island journey:
- Go to the Journal tab in the Pause Menu.
- Select “Tales of Iki.”
- Track the “Journey into the Past” quest.
- Follow the guiding wind.
6. How long does it take to 100% Iki Island?
The main story of Iki Island takes approximately 5 hours to complete. If you aim for 100% completion, expect to spend around 13 ½ hours.
7. Can you go back to Tsushima from Iki Island?
Yes, you can fast travel back to Tsushima after you finish the main story of Iki Island. During the main story of the DLC, you will not be able to travel back to Tsushima, so bear this in mind before embarking on the “Journey into the Past” quest.
8. Is there any advantage to playing Iki Island before completing the main game?
While you can do this, the only real advantage is getting early access to charms and the horse charge, however, the disadvantages greatly outweigh this advantage.
9. What is the best armor to use on Iki Island?
The Sarugami Armor is a strong contender as it rewards players for perfect parries with powerful combos. Other armor sets such as the Sakai Clan armor can also be useful. Ultimately, choosing the right armor comes down to personal preference and playstyle.
10. Which weapons are best on Iki Island?
Kunai and Smoke Bombs are exceptionally useful for creating openings and managing groups of enemies. As mentioned before, having all of Jin’s weapons at your disposal greatly increases your chances of success.
11. Does your choice of armor in Tsushima matter on Iki Island?
Yes, any armor you’ve unlocked in the main game will be available on Iki Island. The effects of the armor also stay the same. Choosing an armor that compliments your playstyle will greatly help you during your adventure. For instance, the Sakai clan armor will increase your standoff streak.
12. Is Iki Island a one-way trip?
Yes, in a sense. Once you start the main Iki Island quest, you’re essentially locked in until you complete its story. You can’t fast travel back to Tsushima during the Iki Island main questline.
13. Can you do the Iki Island side quests later?
Yes, once you have completed the main quest of Iki Island, you can go back to the island any time you want to finish any side quests or any other aspect of the map.
14. Will starting Iki Island spoil the main story?
Not really. The Iki Island story stands alone but is enriched by the context of the completed main game. Doing Iki Island before the main game will not spoil any events.
15. What is the best sword kit to use on Iki Island?
There are a variety of sword kits to suit various playstyles. A few of the best options include the Gold Koi River, Breath Of Hachiman and Izanami’s Grief for its fire effect. The best one comes down to preference.
Conclusion
While the allure of Iki Island’s mysteries might tempt you to jump in early, the most rewarding experience comes from waiting until after you’ve finished the main story of Ghost of Tsushima. Not only will you be better equipped to handle its increased difficulty, but the story will also resonate much more deeply. By waiting, you’ll avoid frustration and appreciate the nuanced narrative of the Iki Island expansion with a more complete understanding of Jin’s journey. Enjoy your adventure, whenever you choose to begin it!