Ghost of Tsushima: Unpacking the Game of the Year Loss and Its Lasting Legacy
Ghost of Tsushima, Sucker Punch Productions’ breathtaking samurai epic, was nominated for Game of the Year at the 2020 Game Awards, but it ultimately lost out to The Last of Us Part II. This defeat sparked considerable debate among gamers, with many feeling that Ghost of Tsushima deserved the coveted title. While The Last of Us Part II is undoubtedly a landmark game, the reasons behind Ghost of Tsushima’s loss are complex and warrant a closer look.
The Clash of Titans: Comparing Ghost of Tsushima and The Last of Us Part II
To understand why Ghost of Tsushima didn’t win Game of the Year, it’s essential to compare it with its competitor, The Last of Us Part II. Both games are critically acclaimed masterpieces, but they offer vastly different experiences.
Story and Narrative
Ghost of Tsushima tells the story of Jin Sakai, a samurai warrior who must abandon his traditional code to protect his home, Tsushima Island, from a Mongol invasion. It is, at its heart, a classic revenge story with themes of honor, sacrifice, and the cost of war. Its narrative is relatively straightforward, focusing on Jin’s transformation from a noble samurai to the “Ghost,” a warrior who uses unconventional tactics to defeat his enemies.
The Last of Us Part II, on the other hand, presents a more complex and divisive narrative. It delves into themes of revenge, trauma, and the cyclical nature of violence, but its narrative choices, particularly regarding character deaths and plot twists, polarized audiences. The game’s story is undeniably ambitious and thought-provoking, but it’s also emotionally draining and often challenging to watch.
Gameplay and Mechanics
Ghost of Tsushima features an open-world environment with a satisfying combat system that emphasizes both stealth and direct confrontation. The game’s “Stances” system allows Jin to adapt his fighting style to different enemy types, creating a dynamic and engaging combat experience. Exploration is also a key component, with players discovering hidden shrines, resources, and side quests throughout the island. Legends mode, a cooperative multiplayer mode, added even more value, allowing players to team up and tackle challenging missions.
The Last of Us Part II focuses on a more linear, story-driven experience with a greater emphasis on resource management and stealth. The game’s combat is brutal and realistic, forcing players to be strategic and resourceful. While it lacks the open-world freedom of Ghost of Tsushima, The Last of Us Part II excels at creating a sense of tension and vulnerability.
Critical Reception and Awards
Both games received widespread critical acclaim, but The Last of Us Part II garnered more Game of the Year awards from various publications and organizations. While Ghost of Tsushima won the Player’s Voice Award at The Game Awards, demonstrating its popularity among players, the overall critical consensus favored The Last of Us Part II.
The reasons for this discrepancy are multifaceted. Some critics praised The Last of Us Part II for its groundbreaking storytelling, technical achievements, and unflinching exploration of complex themes. Others were drawn to the more traditional and accessible narrative of Ghost of Tsushima and its engaging gameplay.
Why The Last of Us Part II Won
Ultimately, The Last of Us Part II likely won Game of the Year due to its ambition, innovation, and willingness to take risks. While its narrative choices were divisive, they sparked conversations and challenged players in ways that few games have done before. Its technical achievements, including its stunning visuals, realistic animations, and immersive sound design, were also undeniable. The game is a landmark achievement in video game storytelling, even with its controversy, and cemented the title for many critics.
Ghost of Tsushima’s loss does not diminish its achievements. It is a visually stunning, highly polished, and deeply engaging game that resonated with millions of players. Its success is evident in its impressive sales figures and the enduring popularity of its Legends mode. As of July 2022, the title reached 9.73 million in lifetime sales.
Ghost of Tsushima offers a welcome escape to a beautifully realized world and provides a more accessible and enjoyable experience for many players.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about Ghost of Tsushima, addressing various aspects of the game and its reception:
1. Was Ghost of Tsushima really robbed of Game of the Year?
Whether Ghost of Tsushima was “robbed” is subjective. Both it and The Last of Us Part II were deserving nominees, but The Last of Us Part II ultimately resonated more with the majority of critics due to its innovation and ambitious storytelling.
2. What game did Ghost of Tsushima lose GOTY to?
Ghost of Tsushima lost the Game of the Year award at the 2020 Game Awards to The Last of Us Part II.
3. Is Ghost of Tsushima a flop?
Absolutely not. Ghost of Tsushima is a massive success, having sold over 10 million copies worldwide as of 2022.
4. Was Ghost of Tsushima a successful game?
Yes, Ghost of Tsushima is one of Sony’s most successful first-party titles in recent years.
5. Will there be a Ghost of Tsushima 2?
While Sucker Punch Productions hasn’t officially announced Ghost of Tsushima 2, given the game’s success, a sequel is highly likely. Speculation points to a potential release between 2023 and 2024, but this is unconfirmed.
6. Is Ghost of Tsushima story accurate?
While inspired by historical events, Ghost of Tsushima takes liberties with historical accuracy to create a more compelling narrative. Events are dramatized, and timelines are altered. However, the game attempts to capture the spirit of the Mongol invasion of Tsushima.
7. Is Ghost of Tsushima really hard?
Ghost of Tsushima offers a challenging but fair combat system. While it requires skill and strategy, it’s not as brutally difficult as games like Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice or Dark Souls.
8. How long is 100% Ghost of Tsushima?
Completing Ghost of Tsushima to 100%, including finding all collectibles and earning the platinum trophy, typically takes around 50-60 hours.
9. What is the hardest enemy in Ghost of Tsushima?
Many consider Lord Shimura, the final boss of the epilogue, to be one of the most challenging enemies in Ghost of Tsushima. Other difficult bosses include Khotun Khan and The Eagle from the Iki Island DLC.
10. What happens if you beat Khotun Khan in the beginning?
Players cannot beat Khotun Khan during the first encounter. The game forces players into a cutscene regardless of how well they perform, progressing the story.
11. Which armour is best Ghost of Tsushima?
The best armor depends on your playstyle. However, the Sarugami Armor is often considered one of the strongest, offering significant advantages for players skilled at perfect parries.
12. Which is the longest act in Ghost of Tsushima?
Most players find Act 2 to be the longest act in Ghost of Tsushima, primarily due to the number of story missions and the size of the explorable area.
13. What percentage of Ghost of Tsushima is complete?
Ghost of Tsushima has a high completion rate, with around 50% of players completing the main story, making it one of the most completed open-world games on the PS4.
14. Should I use the hero of Tsushima armor?
The Hero of Tsushima armor looks impressive but cannot be upgraded. It quickly becomes less effective compared to other armors that can be enhanced, so most players opt for other options early in the game.
15. What happens if you get rid of all the Mongols in Ghost of Tsushima?
Clearing out all Mongol camps removes the fog of war from the map, revealing all areas and points of interest. It also provides experience, legend status, and supplies.
The Enduring Appeal of Ghost of Tsushima
Despite not winning Game of the Year, Ghost of Tsushima has left a lasting impact on the gaming world. Its stunning visuals, engaging gameplay, and compelling story have made it a fan favorite. The game’s success has also led to increased interest in Japanese history and culture, further solidifying its legacy.
Ghost of Tsushima is a testament to the power of video games to transport us to different worlds and tell meaningful stories. The efforts of game directors Nate Fox and creative director Jason Connell have been recognized as they were named tourism ambassadors of the city of Tsushima by island officials. While it may not have won the top prize, Ghost of Tsushima will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the defining games of its generation.
Studying the successes and innovative mechanics of games such as Ghost of Tsushima and The Last of Us Part II is of particular interest to researchers and educators involved with the Games Learning Society, seeking to understand how games can be leveraged for educational purposes. This type of research provides the foundations on how to design more engaging and effective learning environments. You can find more information about the organization at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.