[GreyHorace]

So, downloaded the Director's Cut upgrade for my PS4 (no questions about PS5 upgrades since I don't have them) and began exploring Iki Island. Some initial thoughts:

Mongol Shamans really change the combat -. Like Holy Fuck, they make Mongol hordes a legitimate threat even as a fully leveled up Ghost. Prioritize killing them above any other enemy.
Multi weapon Mongols are annoying as fuck - They can switch weapons on the fly, forcing you to change stances in the middle of combat. And they've got unblockable attacks to boot.
The new Horse Charge is cool - Finally makes horse combat viable in the main game at least.

So far those are my initial impressions. Haven't gotten that far into story but I'll post more thoughts as I playthrough it.

 

[Zefah]

Nice! Looking forward to diving into this probably next week.

 

[Allnamestakenlol]

I would give it a go, but damn it's been a long time since I last touched the game. I feel I'd have to start over. May just wait for the inevitable PC release. Thanks for the impressions, tho - keep 'em coming!

 

[Zeta Dragoon]

Looking forward to this. Ghost of Tushima is one of my games of the last generation.

 

[Thing on a Spring]

GoT was my game of last generation but I don't think I can be arsed turning on the old ps4 again for this. If it gets released for Steam though, I'll play through the entire thing again and then this expansion.

 

[GreyHorace]

Played further and it's been all awesome so far. But there are some annoyances I've encountered that kind of derail the experience a bit. Beware of some SPOILERS:

Negatives
Eagle Drug trips - Early on, Jin is drugged by the Eagle and starts having visions which pop on occasion while you're exploring or sometimes in combat. I wouldn't mind so much if the longer visions didn't halve your fucking ammo like the hot springs did in the main game. It's annoying as fuck.
Flute minigame - I found this game in the animal sanctuaries to be quite annoying and not at all fun.

Positives
Darker more thoughtful storyline - As we learn early on, samurai are not welcome on Iki Island due to Jin's father waging a brutal campaign years before to pacify the island. Along with his still lingering feelings of guilt over his father's death, Jin has to contend with the knowledge that the samurai inflicted untold suffering on the island's inhabitants even before the Mongols arrived. While we saw hints of this morally grey treatment of the samurai in the base game, it's front and center here and informs Jin's interactions with the island's residents who treat him with distrust.
Choice and consequence - No doubt influenced by The Witcher 3, some of the sidequests now have choices you have to make that change the outcome. So far I've encountered a choice of which hostage to save, or whether I negotiate with a known smuggler or duel him. A welcome addition to the game.
Sidequests are longer and more complex - Another welcome influence from The Witcher 3. I've only done 2 so far but they've had more twists and turns than that of the base game.
Spear wielding Brutes - To add to the hilarity that is the combat, we have Brutes who use spears that are incredibly fast and will fuck you up if you're not careful.
New badass charms - From a regular charm that extends your Concentration (quite possibly the best new charm in the game), to golden charms like one that allows you to throw kunai while doing chain assassinations and others. These are welcome new upgrades to the game.

 

[ODST 1337]

Bit the bullet as PS Cloud saves decided to delete my save and I was 20% through, so gonna start again on PS5 version, luckily its only £25 for the upgrade to lets see how good it is

 

[Arkam]

Downloading now. This gun be a fun weekend, I tell ya what.

 

[Grinchy]

Mongol Shamans really change the combat -. Like Holy Fuck, they make Mongol hordes a legitimate threat even as a fully leveled up Ghost. Prioritize killing them above any other enemy.
Multi weapon Mongols are annoying as fuck - They can switch weapons on the fly, forcing you to change stances in the middle of combat. And they've got unblockable attacks to boot.

Sounds cool. I kept hoping the game would get more challenging again. I was kinda breezing through it at a certain point.

 

[Arkam]

The first Shaman I saw lasted exactly 2 seconds. I nuked his ass with an explosives arrow to the face.

 

[JORMBO]

I was getting my ass kicked for 30 minutes since I forgot how the game played. Now that I have the controls down it is smooth sailing. The shaman are a nice addition. I thought they would feel gimmicky since most games tend to over use things when they add something new for DLC, but they haven't been used for every encounter which keeps it a bit more fresh.

 

[Saruhashi]

I completed the game on PS4 but just bought the PS5 upgrade there and will be starting a new game.
Any advice on difficulty? I wish games would just have one difficulty and would balance out the late game and end game content so that it's the toughest in the game but as it turns out with GoT I found myself beating the final parts if the game with ease.

Will it be frustratingly difficult in the beginning if I choose a higher difficulty option?

Is the legends mode worth playing or is it a load of shite like most online multiplayer?

 

[GreyHorace]

I completed the game on PS4 but just bought the PS5 upgrade there and will be starting a new game.
Any advice on difficulty? I wish games would just have one difficulty and would balance out the late game and end game content so that it's the toughest in the game but as it turns out with GoT I found myself beating the final parts if the game with ease.

Will it be frustratingly difficult in the beginning if I choose a higher difficulty option?

Is the legends mode worth playing or is it a load of shite like most online multiplayer?

Can't comment on Legends Mode since I don't do multiplayer modes. But as for the single player campaign, I suggest starting at Hard difficulty since Normal is just way too easy now.

But be warned, Iki Island is pretty tough even for veteran Tsushima players like me. The devs said you can go straight there at the beginning of Chapter 2 but I suggest getting the right techniques and gear before you do. For gear, the blowgun with the poison and hallucinating darts are essential. As for techniques, you definitely need the Ghost Stance and probably the Dance of Wrath as well.

 

[Saruhashi]

Can't comment on Legends Mode since I don't do multiplayer modes. But as for the single player campaign, I suggest starting at Hard difficulty since Normal is just way too easy now.

But be warned, Iki Island is pretty tough even for veteran Tsushima players like me. The devs said you can go straight there at the beginning of Chapter 2 but I suggest getting the right techniques and gear before you do. For gear, the blowgun with the poison and hallucinating darts are essential. As for techniques, you definitely need the Ghost Stance and probably the Dance of Wrath as well.

Nice. Thanks! I'll go with Hard difficulty then.

 

[and 3 others]

The first Shaman I saw lasted exactly 2 seconds. I nuked his ass with an explosives arrow to the face.

 

[Arkam]

A few hours in at this point. This feels like a decent amount of content. Story is fun. Already despise the Mongols that have all the weapons and swap on the fly. They switch really quick. The shaman buff is also a game changer as it practically shields the affected mongols. Horse charge is pretty cool and very useful. It burns up your ability "meter" (what ever its called) but worth it if you can hit the lot of them.

 

[JORMBO]

I cleared the main story in about 2.5 hours. I didn't really find anything more difficult then the main game. The shamans become a bit of a gimmick (despite initial impressions) since they always sit off to the side. You just have to run over and chop them down first and then combat is the same as it was in the main game. I think it would have worked a bit better if some of the enemies put more effort into protecting them.

Overall I enjoyed what I've played so far. I'll do some of the side stories next. Clearing the main story leaves half the island still unexplored.

 

[Arkam]

I cleared the main story in about 2.5 hours. I didn't really find anything more difficult then the main game. The shamans become a bit of a gimmick (despite initial impressions) since they always sit off to the side. You just have to run over and chop them down first and then combat is the same as it was in the main game. I think it would have worked a bit better if some of the enemies put more effort into protecting them.

Overall I enjoyed what I've played so far. I'll do some of the side stories next. Clearing the main story leaves half the island still unexplored.

Damn you sped through that main story. I am like 8 hours deep, explored ~1/3 of the Island and dont think I am very far in the story. You and I must play Open World games VERY different. I try and fully explore areas before moving on and let my eyes/interest drive where I go instead of just sprinting to the next waypoint. Sure I often go to areas before the story wants me to, but its a small price to pay for an organic experience of exploring the terrain. And the terrain on Iki is gorgeous.

 

[GreyHorace]

I've completed the whole of Iki Island in about 10-12 hours. All the main story quests, sidequests and even the various activities such as Archery Challenges, Animal Sanctuaries and collectibles. May be a bit short, but it's time well spent. I'd dare say it's the best expansion DLC I've played since The Witcher 3's Blood and Wine.

 

[JORMBO]

Damn you sped through that main story. I am like 8 hours deep, explored ~1/3 of the Island and dont think I am very far in the story. You and I must play Open World games VERY different. I try and fully explore areas before moving on and let my eyes/interest drive where I go instead of just sprinting to the next waypoint. Sure I often go to areas before the story wants me to, but its a small price to pay for an organic experience of exploring the terrain. And the terrain on Iki is gorgeous.

I thought the main story itself was going to be the bulk of the DLC so I stuck to following the main story. I figured I would wrap up the other stuff after. I think the side stuff is most of the content here though if the DLC really is 15 hours of content.

 

[Mista]

I'm having so much fun in Iki. Loving those new sanctuaries! Just finished the main story and now just cleaning what's left on the island

I also tried Legends for the first time ever yesterday and I have to admit, I'm surprised and enjoying the MP mode of this game.

 

[and 3 others]

Really digging the expansion. I just hope the sequel is a tighter experience. And more 'mini games' like the Bamboo cutting, and add horse racing and grappling hook trials and less Haiku compositions. Oh, and better lighting and less robotic animation and it would be an absolute banger!

 

[GreyHorace]

Really digging the expansion. I just hope the sequel is a tighter experience. And more 'mini games' like the Bamboo cutting, and add horse racing and grappling hook trials and less Haiku compositions. Oh, and better lighting and less robotic animation and it would be an absolute banger!

I'd actually like some urban settings in a sequel. The Japanese countryside is nice but it kinda gets tiring to look at after a while. Have Jin wander through a city to put his newfound skills as the Ghost to the test and open up new gameplay opportunities.

And hell yes to more minigames. How about some gambling, or a minigame involving a tea ceremony?

 

[Arkam]

I'd actually like some urban settings in a sequel. The Japanese countryside is nice but it kinda gets tiring to look at after a while. Have Jin wander through a city to put his newfound skills as the Ghost to the test and open up new gameplay opportunities.

And hell yes to more minigames. How about some gambling, or a minigame involving a tea ceremony?

I would take a large city (or two). St Denis was a nice respite from the wilderness. And gambling is a must add minigame. Having a samurai game with out any dice being played? C'mon Man, Zatoichi would be rolling in his grave.

If we to go to the mainland in the sequel, I wouldnt mind if the story was about some rival lords challenging the Shogunate. Jin has to pick which side he fights for, with massive battles with forts being sieged.

But the most important improvement must be on the climbing/collision. If I can stand on a rock with a 40 degree decline, so can the ghost. I say ditch the current climbing system and introduce teh BOTW system. Can climb most anything but it costs stamina (which could be factored into fighting too).

 

[and 3 others]

But the most important improvement must be on the climbing/collision. If I can stand on a rock with a 40 degree decline, so can a the ghost. I stay ditch teh current climbing system and introduce teh BOTW system. Can climb most anything but it costs stamina (which could be factored into fighting too).

100%. The climbing felt brain dead too. Make it more challenging.

 

[GreyHorace]

I would take a large city (or two). St Denis was a nice respite from the wilderness. And gambling is a must add minigame. Having a samurai game with out any dice being played? C'mon Man, Zatoichi would be rolling in his grave.

Well, we have to remember that Ghost of Tsushima is set in 1274 in the Kamakura period. Most illegal gambling in Japan probably happened during the Edo period in the 17th century when there was relative peace that lasted 300 years.

But the game is already plenty inaccurate to real Japanese history, so having a gambling minigame wouldn't be so out of place.

If we to go to the mainland in the sequel, I wouldnt mind if the story was about some rival lords challenging the Shogunate. Jin has to pick which side he fights for, with massive battles with forts being sieged.

Some squabbling between Samurai lords would be cool to see, but the main threat for me always has to be the Mongols. Especially since in real history they came back to invade Japan 7 years later in 1281. Some prime sequel material there if Sucker Punch gets to it.

But the most important improvement must be on the climbing/collision. If I can stand on a rock with a 40 degree decline, so can the ghost. I say ditch the current climbing system and introduce teh BOTW system. Can climb most anything but it costs stamina (which could be factored into fighting too).

I thought the climbing was fine. It's way better at least than the inconsistent parkour shenanigans of the Assassin's Creed games.

 

[and 3 others]

Ok, after a certain mission I must admit, Horsey Charge is OP.

 

[Arkam]

Ok, after a certain mission I must admit, Horsey Charge is OP.

You talking about the Sakai Armor mission? If so I agree, but will add that it was the biggest pain in the ass. Not fun at all, relies on two of the weaker systems in the game (grappling and swimming).

I had to turn to YouTube after wasting enough time trying to figure it out on my own. Was super obvious where the armor was located but required waaaay to much exploration to figure out how to get there.

 

[Cato]

It is ok, but what really felt like a huge letdown is the lack of dark underwater swimming puzzles.

 

[Mista]

It is ok, but what really felt like a huge letdown is the lack of dark underwater swimming puzzles.

Thank god it doesn't exist.

 

[Kamina]

I really enjoyed the expansion.
The map is sufficiently large, there are many side quest, and quite a few new ideas they added to make it different from the main game.

 

[Arkam]

I finished up the main story of the expansion last night. Was a fun ride, albeit more somber in tone. Played on PS5.

Likes:
Story
Shaman
NPC changing weapons
Horse "combat"
The flute mini game in the animal sanctuaries
(some) new/different animals
Island (was more than big enough)
New Armor/sword kits
Raider ambushes

Dislikes:
The Archery challenges
The Sakai Horse Armor mission
The constant "flashbacks"
Still has the inventory item loading issue (slow)

 

[HellforLeather]

Did the new locations for Legends mode unlock yet?

 

[xrnzaaas]

For me the main story of the expansion felt weak. The whole plot with the hallucinations felt like it was stolen from Far Cry games - I always hated similar scenes in those games. The story itself is also quite short. Thankfully the side content was good, I liked the 'perfect parries armor' for its extra challenge and I really enjoyed exploring the island (my total is over 20 hours). So overall a decent value DLC, but nothing spectacular and it's definitely not worth paying extra just for the next-gen upgrade.

 

[and 3 others]

For me the main story of the expansion felt weak. The whole plot with the hallucinations felt like it was stolen from Far Cry games - I always hated similar scenes in those games. The story itself is also quite short. Thankfully the side content was good, I liked the 'perfect parries armor' for its extra challenge and I really enjoyed exploring the island (my total is over 20 hours). So overall a decent value DLC, but nothing spectacular and it's definitely not worth paying extra just for the next-gen upgrade.

Yessir. I didn't mind the flash backs, that much, it should have been an hour or two mission contained by itself, but the hallucination arc became a bore halfway through.