Ghost of Tsushima

Sucker Punch Productions

PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5; Windowspremium (one-time purchase) + DLC expansion

Health Score

DECENT

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About This Game

Super Review

Ghost of Tsushima delivers a stunning, cinematic samurai adventure with deep combat and a powerful story of war and sacrifice. Its mature themes, graphic violence, and potential for long play sessions mean it's best suited for older teens and requires careful parental consideration despite its artistic merits and engaging gameplay.

Super Review

Parent verdict

Ghost of Tsushima earns a 'Decent' health score due to its exceptional presentation and engaging open-world gameplay, balanced against significant mature content. This is a qualified fit, best for older teens (16+) who appreciate historical fiction and can process heavy narrative themes and graphic violence. Parents should be prepared to discuss the game's depiction of war and moral dilemmas, and manage play time given its sprawling world and narrative depth.

What players actually do

Players engage in challenging sword duels and stealth combat, requiring quick reflexes and strategic thinking to overcome Mongol invaders.
Players explore a vast, beautiful open world on horseback, discovering hidden shrines, completing side quests, and uncovering the island's secrets.
Players make difficult moral choices that influence the protagonist's identity, exploring themes of honor, sacrifice, and the cost of war.

Where it shines

The game boasts a visually breathtaking world and cinematic storytelling that immerses players in a stylized feudal Japan, rich with atmosphere and narrative depth.
Combat offers dynamic versatility, allowing players to master both honorable samurai sword fighting and cunning 'Ghost' tactics, providing diverse approaches to engagements.

Parent watch-outs

The game features frequent graphic violence, including blood and gore, decapitations, and dismemberment, which is consistently intense and realistic.
Themes of war, sacrifice, and brutality are central to the narrative, which can be emotionally heavy and deal with morally complex situations.
The open-world design and extensive narrative can lead to very long play sessions, making it easy for players to lose track of time while exploring and completing objectives.

Family rules worth setting

Set clear time limits for daily play sessions, especially given the open-world nature and potential for extended exploration.
Discuss the historical context and heavy themes presented in the game, emphasizing the realities and consequences of violence and war depicted.

Talk about this

How does the game present the idea of 'honor' versus 'necessity' in times of war, and what are the real-world implications of such choices?
Discuss the graphic nature of the violence in the game and why creators might choose to depict it so realistically, and how it impacts the player's experience.

Play style

Ghost of Tsushima encourages open-world exploration, often leading to extended sessions as players pursue main quests, side stories, and collectibles. Combat can be challenging and skill-based, requiring patience to master parrying and stealth mechanics. It's primarily a solo experience, though an optional co-op 'Legends' mode offers separate supernatural missions, which may require coordination and teamwork.

Score Breakdown

Positive Aspects

Educational Value

3/5

Creativity

3/5

Pro-Social

2/5

Risk Factors

Addictive Monetization

1/5

Time Pressure / FOMO

2/5

Social Risk

2/5

Content Intensity

4/5

Why this rating

Educational Value

3/5

While not a direct historical simulation, the game is rooted in Japanese history and cultural ethics, offering a cinematic exploration of a significant period and themes. This provides a backdrop that can spark interest in history and cultural values.

Addictive Monetization

1/5

The business model is a premium one-time purchase, with additional content sold as DLC and cosmetic items available for purchase in-game. The monetization is low-risk, focusing on optional cosmetic enhancements rather than exploitative mechanics.

Content Intensity

4/5

The game carries an M (Mature 17+) and PEGI 18 rating due to frequent and graphic depictions of violence, blood and gore, partial nudity, and strong language. Players will witness dismemberment, decapitation, and brutal combat encounters throughout the experience.

Creativity

3/5

Players are encouraged to be creative in their approach to combat, choosing between honorable samurai duels or stealthy 'Ghost' tactics, which offers varied gameplay and problem-solving. The game also features a richly designed open world that rewards exploration and discovery.