Liberating Tsushima: What Happens When You Eradicate the Mongol Threat in Ghost of Tsushima?
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The burning villages, the cries of the oppressed – these are the images that haunt Jin Sakai as he embarks on his quest to liberate Tsushima Island from the Mongol invasion in Ghost of Tsushima. But what happens when you finally succeed in clearing every Mongol camp, rescuing every hostage, and pushing the invaders back to the sea? The answer is both satisfying and nuanced. Once you liberate all Mongol-occupied territories, the fog of war lifts entirely from the map, revealing every hidden location, collectible, and point of interest that you may have missed. While the main Mongol presence is eradicated, the island doesn’t become a peaceful paradise. Random encounters with Mongol patrols, as well as bandits and rogue Straw Hats, will still occur. Think of it as cleaning up the major infestation, but still needing to swat the occasional stragglers. Tsushima becomes a safer, but not entirely peaceful, place, allowing Jin to focus on completing side quests, exploring the island’s beauty, and honing his skills.
A World Revealed, But Not Conquered
The Map’s Transformation
One of the most immediate and rewarding effects of liberating all Mongol territories is the complete unveiling of the game map. No more blindly wandering through unexplored areas, hoping to stumble upon a hidden shrine or a valuable resource cache. Every corner of Tsushima becomes visible, inviting you to explore its natural wonders and uncover its secrets. This is especially helpful for completionists aiming to achieve 100% game completion.
The Lingering Threat
While the large-scale Mongol occupation is over, the island is not entirely free of danger. Mongol patrols will still roam the roads, and you’ll continue to encounter bandits and rogue Straw Hats. This ensures that combat remains a relevant part of the gameplay experience, even after liberating all territories. It also reflects the realistic nature of a war-torn land, where peace is hard-won and constantly threatened.
Focusing on the Finer Things
With the Mongol threat diminished, Jin is free to dedicate his time to other pursuits. This includes completing the many side quests and character arcs that enrich the game’s narrative, discovering hidden shrines and collectibles, and mastering his combat skills. You can also fully appreciate the stunning beauty of Tsushima’s landscape without the constant fear of ambush.
The Allure of Completion: Beyond Liberation
Gear and Customization
Liberating the island opens up opportunities for acquiring new gear and customizing Jin’s appearance. With the map fully revealed, you can easily locate merchants selling unique items and discover hidden armor sets that offer powerful stat boosts and special abilities.
Refining Combat Skills
The post-liberation world provides ample opportunities to refine your combat skills. You can challenge yourself by taking on increasingly difficult enemy encounters, mastering new techniques, and experimenting with different combat styles.
A Story That Lingers
Even after completing the main story and liberating Tsushima, the game’s narrative continues to resonate. You can revisit locations associated with key events, reflect on the choices you made, and immerse yourself in the rich lore of the island.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Liberating Tsushima
1. Are there any benefits to liberating territories beyond the map reveal?
Yes, liberating territories provides experience, increases Jin’s Legend, grants supplies, and unlocks fast travel points. Each liberated area also often reveals new side quests and activities.
2. Do liberated territories ever get re-occupied?
No, once a territory is liberated, it remains permanently free from Mongol control. The camps don’t respawn.
3. Can I still find Mongols after liberating all territories?
Yes, you’ll still encounter random Mongol patrols throughout Tsushima. However, these encounters will be less frequent and less organized than the Mongol presence in occupied territories.
4. What happens to the NPCs in liberated areas?
The NPCs in liberated areas will return to their normal lives, rebuilding their homes and resuming their daily routines. You’ll see towns and villages gradually recovering from the devastation of the invasion.
5. Does liberating Tsushima affect the story in any way?
While liberating Tsushima doesn’t change the main story’s ending, it significantly impacts the game world. The liberated regions provide a sense of progress and accomplishment, making the island feel safer and more vibrant.
6. Are there any missable items or quests related to Mongol territories?
No, nothing is permanently missable. You can always return to any area, even after liberating it, to find missed items or complete quests.
7. Does difficulty affect the rewards for liberating territories?
The difficulty setting doesn’t affect the rewards you receive for liberating territories. However, it will impact the challenge of combat encounters.
8. What’s the best way to liberate Mongol territories efficiently?
Prioritize stealth whenever possible to thin out enemy ranks before engaging in open combat. Utilize Jin’s Ghost weapons and techniques to quickly eliminate high-value targets.
9. Can I liberate territories out of order?
Yes, you can liberate territories in any order you choose. The game doesn’t impose any restrictions on your progress.
10. What happens if I ignore Mongol territories completely?
If you ignore Mongol territories, the game world will remain dangerous and oppressive. You’ll miss out on valuable rewards, side quests, and the satisfaction of liberating Tsushima.
11. How does liberating Tsushima impact the “Legends” multiplayer mode?
Liberating Tsushima in the single-player campaign doesn’t directly affect the “Legends” multiplayer mode, which features its own separate progression and challenges.
12. Is it possible to achieve 100% completion after liberating all territories?
Yes, liberating all territories is a significant step towards achieving 100% completion. However, you’ll still need to complete all side quests, find all collectibles, and upgrade all your gear.
13. Does liberating Tsushima make the game too easy?
While liberating Tsushima makes the island safer, the game still presents plenty of challenges. The remaining enemy encounters can still be difficult, especially on higher difficulty settings.
14. Does liberating Tsushima affect the day/night cycle?
No, the day/night cycle is not affected by liberating territories.
15. What are the best activities to do after liberating Tsushima?
After liberating Tsushima, focus on completing side quests, exploring hidden locations, mastering combat skills, and customizing Jin’s appearance. You can also revisit your favorite areas and reflect on your journey. The narrative power of games continues to be examined by scholars today, like those working with the Games Learning Society.
Liberating Tsushima in Ghost of Tsushima is a rewarding and transformative experience. While it doesn’t create a completely peaceful world, it does provide a sense of accomplishment, unlocks new opportunities, and allows you to fully explore the game’s rich and immersive world. It is the capstone on an experience that allows for a player to shape the world of Tsushima.