I tried Ghost of Tsushima again... 

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"I figured out why I love it" he says after making a multipart and multi-hour series explaining why he enjoys it.

I really love, that the more you progress through the game, the more the enemies fear you.

I really appreciated Ghost of Tsushima's use of Progressive Disclosure where the UI only pops up when you press a button. Also the use of wind to guide you was a nice touch too.

My first time playing this game started last week on PS5 with the Directors Cut edition. And I’m STILL blown away. I grew up loving Feudal Japan history and the Bushido. Masterpiece

Ghost of Tsushima is one of the greatest things I’ve ever experienced. Story, gameplay, visuals, characters, development, great open world and combat. All around one of my favourite games of all time

With regards to the UI.. there’s this brilliant mechanic where you’ll encounter yellow birds while exploring the map that lead you to points of interest. They look like a natural part of the environment, but if you follow them you’ll find stuff.

Hands down one of the best games of this generation

I feel like a few very crowded areas with lots of NPCs doing various activities would really add to the game! Something like a few villages or a little town!

This game had such a linear start and suddenly leaves you open. I felt lost because i was used to ubisoft maps. It wasn't untill saving the girl's brother, i understood what this game was meant to be. A classic masterpiece.

Played when directors cut came out. It's a masterpiece. Follow the wind. Genius

This is my comfort game. I have played it through twice, though the second play though was not nearly as impactful, I still go back to play some side missions or just run around killing mongols and enjoying the world. However though, I am fatigued with this genre and style of open world game, even despite the amazing exploration features like the guiding wind. I hope to see over all less open world activities but a lot more variation and more depth to the random encounters (kill 4 or 5 Mongols then rescue the person)

It's a fantastic game, I've played it three times an am very excited for the next replay again.

1 more robust climbing system 2. Access to more weapons( spears, daggers, Etc) 3. Use grappling hook as weapon 4. Crafting arrows and other things on the fly

The yellow circles are not just for healing yourself, throughout the world you'll find Mythic Tales that if you complete you get access to cool abilities, like the heavenly strike and the dance of wrath, this moves use those yellow circles and cut down enemies in a flow like you're the main protagonist of an anime. These moves can be made even more fun by combining them with charms and abilities that cause lightning to strike enemies when you use heavenly strike or leave a fire trail behind you when using dance of wrath

im still so happy this game got the recognition it deserves.

The fact you didn’t like it the first time BAFFLES ME. I really don’t get it, A CHORE? it’s such a masterpiece

Even on the PS4 pro this game has amazing optimisation. I've never seen an open world have load screens that went so quick I didn't have a chance to read the tips. I felt when I purchased this game it upgraded my PS4 pro with an NVME. Ofcourse this became even more amazing on the ps5 but man, sucker punch knows how to optimise.

For me it's the Combat and the Story. They have some of the best sword combat ever, the 4 stances, the quick or heavy attacks, dodges and parries. It really is outstanding

Having recently sunk 60 hours into this, now over 150 hours total, for the sequel my wishlist would be more variety in combat weapons (Naginata, Odachi, dual wield etc), combat mechanics (hookclaw in combat for one) and deeper stealth mechanics than hiding behind cover or in tall grass. Spoilers: Would have loved if there was third or hidden ending in which you could sacrifice yourself for your uncle and that would've really complimented the Legend of the Ghost theme in the game.

I never used the photo mode in a game so much, I have 183 photos taken while I have roughly 1 or 2 in other games. Without spoiling anything, the last duel in the story mode is one of the greatest one on one I have ever played in a game. 👌

When I started playing the director’s cut on the hardest difficulty, right away I went to a Mongol base completely under-leveled, against like 10-15 enemies, and as they ganged up on me I was dodging and parrying EVERYTHING for like a minute and it was the most badass I’ve ever felt in a game, part of that is the combat feels so smooth and the 60 fps makes it feel even smoother. Even though I died it was like the game threw everything it had at me and I almost came out on top lol

I am so glad you are now enjoying this game! I had a great time playing it and frequently go back for casual play its both relaxing and challenging (depending on difficulty) and the views are great throughout

GoT really was one of the most impactful games for me, it’s the only game I preordered and was proud to have done so. It will never leave my hard drive. For me it was just perfectly immersive, and fully explored the grey areas of Samurai culture, I only hope that if they do a sequel, they dive even deeper into both the hood and very bad that happened under Bushido. The combat system is one of the only ones that I’m willing to play on the hardest difficulty, because it’s massively satisfying. The most telling thing in my book is the fact that my main gripe with the game is just that I want so much more OF it, and that speaks to the quality

It's such a fantastic game. Definitely in my top 5 games list. The combat doesn't get old, neither does the colorful and beautiful open world. Additionally I spent so much time in the MP and I love the dark and demonic atmosphere. :)

Let me just say the beginning of this video is exactly why I like to listen to your takes on things. I like how while you may have an opinion on something, you never use that opinion as any sort of fact. You make it clear its your own opinion. In addition you also make it clear that even if you don't enjoy it, that doesn't make it bad, it just means you didn't enjoy your experience. It's something many people do not do anymore, and it's refreshing to see.

If the Japanese Assassin Creed fails it shall be called Hoax of Tsushima. Sucker Punch really did so show that stealth and amazing combat is possible. ghost of Tsushima simply has a flow that feels great. The only complaint I have about is I wish it had another weapon besides a katana, like a kanabō (a studded club)

The opening statements about this game are exactly how I feel about Elden Ring. But this game is the most natural feeling and easily enjoyable new game I have played in years.

The short version of why i love it: (1)- I suck at games where parry timing and the ability to dodge at the right time are key. My reflexes are garbage but there's a build for that. (2)- The side quests aren't so plentiful or so involved that they take you so far off the main story that you forget or lose interest in the main story. (3)- The pathfinding puzzles (which I hate more than anything in a video game- even more than flashbacks and dream sequences) are all simple enough to actually get through them all while still giving you a bit of that accomplishment feel. (4)- The story is about the character; lemee explain. You don't feel like you're a tool for solving other people's problems, getting revenge for them, or collecting silly trinkets for them. Your quest motivations are your own. (5)- It's just the right length to bring the main story to a logical and satisfying conclusion without dragging you through sixty hours of main quest that you lost the thread on days ago. Then we get to the minor but still important stuff like playing in Japanese for that immersive feel, the environments and other graphics stuff, a range of collectibles you actually want, etc.... As close to the perfect game for me as it gets.

Started playing a few days ago. And I am so so deeply immersed in this game. It’s one of very rare games for me that I just get lost in it. This delivers the samurai fantasy much more than I could even imagine.

Ghost of Tsushima is incredible and I think the sequel can be even better through: 1.Improved combat/stealth AI - the combat AI pathing can be a little wonky sometimes (in Legends especially) / stealth AI needs an overhaul for “alert states”. I want the game to punish me for being detected in an enemy encampment. Enemies should remain on alert indefinitely after discovering a body or detecting me making it harder to re-engage in stealth until I clear or leave the encampment 2.Improved parkour mechanics - Let me climb on things more dynamically rather than those super obvious, rusty, odd-looking rock handholds 3.Extra but still immersive activities - Teach me how to play Shogi or create some other cool warfare strategy board game that fleshes out the world. Could insert some cool “Art of War” style lessons when defeating an opponent or cutscenes similar to the Mythic Tales to weave a story while playing this said board game. 4.Dynamic dismemberments à la the Witcher 3 (or even AC Valhalla) like we saw in the E3 trailer when Jin slashed a Mongol’s spear in half. Triggering these dismemberments only through Ghost Stance or Heavenly Strike gets a little old after a while. 5.Improved presentation for side quests/dynamic events. Although they were useful for showing off the beauty of the world, the constant reliance on wide shots got really repetitive and stale. I want to see my customized Jin & the characters I interact with up close and personal in more than just major story cutscenes

Love such honest and diffrent review best of luck and keep going with these videos

Load times? The game has never had long load times

Another awesome vid Luke! The amount of effort and thoughtfulness you put into everything you do is impeccable.. Could listen to you for days (and, I do)! Keep it up!

The all black Travelers Attire was my most worn outfit and truly made me feel like a ninja. All of the armors are great though tbh. I loved the monkey one from the dlc. Also, the stance system is genius.

Things I would add in the sequel 1. More varied boss fights with enemies that use different weapons and tactics. 2. More secret techniques and armors that give you secret techniques like the Saurgami armor. 3. More melee weapons(Spear, Two swords) 4. More legendary tales 5. A little bit more mystical elements to make the world feel more special

I had to borrow a mate's PS4 to play this, I wanted to play it so bad. I'd wake up before everyone in the flat to play it on the group tv for a few hours - one of the best gaming experiences I've ever had. One of, if not my favourite ever game. Alongside Witcher 3, Nier:Automata & RDR2 - So awesome.

this is the first game that brought tears into my eyes literally earlier today, im so glad i started to play it and everyone who hasn’t yet should too!!

So glad you got to appreciate this piece of art, I love it so much, I bought it TWICE - disc and digital. I am actually nervous about the sequel: how do you add something to this masterpiece without messing up the perfect balance?

i dont why i enjoy watching the like box light up when you mention ur last critique but i love it

love your approach to open world reviews. keep it up!

One of the greatest games ever made.. Not saying it’s top 5 or top 10, but just one of the best.

There was no load times!?! Even when it 1st released! The loading was 1 of the things everybody was quite impressed with!

“How could you just not cream when you see this” Good job on the editor to zoom in when you said that lol. Recently started playing this game and really liked the video, and keep up the great work. :)

New subscriber. I enjoy your delivery and honesty.

I think a cool change would be to have a vast amount of weapons, like it would be cool to have a naginata,and different stances for it. I'd also love to be able to go to Mongol ships and fight,which I can't do, because if I get deep enough in the water, I will drown before I get to go into the ship. There's also a lot more I'd like to see in the sequel and I'm really hyped up

Man that’s crazy, I thought that opening scene was so bad ass, I was hooked and played it Straight through

I like that the guiding wind was more like a suggestion of where to go instead of a glowing trail.

I'm inspired to play this again. I felt exactly how u did in the beginning of the video. Which is strange because I'm a fairly new Assassin's Creed fan (3yrs ago my first AC). People say this is AC in Japan which I was happy about. There was just something about it that didn't pull me in like the AC games did. I'm trying this again and hope I can get the immersion I need.

I can't get over this game I've played it 3 times now and I've never been bored of it

Here’s what I would improve: - camera on fighting and easing into cutscenes (lack of enemy focus I think can be improved) - world density and liveliness, the world is slightly empty although extremely beautiful and refreshing - all acting animations and facial expressions That’s it. I loved the hell of this game and the way it makes it easy for you to complete it and track your completion. Just beautiful. Music and story were also touching. Sword fighting felt very nicely, I would put it almost near Sekiro or Nioh. Luke said it well, it’s a breath of fresh air. But man, I think we were all pissed when this masterpiece didn’t get the rewards it deserved at GOTY 2020.

Shout out to you man. I always love your takes on gaming. You, Jacob Gellar & Jayvee are my favorite gaming content Edit: Also, how could I forget.... *THE ACT MAN*

I'm so glad you found the spark to enjoy this game, but I played on release on a base PS4 and I had none of the problems you initially stated.

Love that lego Hogwarts in the background, I bought the set myself a few weeks back

I’m kind of a heartless bastard especially in video games. But holy shit did this game have me feel feeling my entire first play through. Like every time I’d see a decapitated person or pile of burnt body’s I’d felt like I’m Jin seeing all of this horrific brutality and I sought justice and was pissed that these pixel people where brutalized like Jin. Now this is a good way to draw your fans in

The directors cut was a christmas gift from my MIL. I just started playing now and i love it. The world is stunning, combat is smooth, the cinematic motifs are awesome, everything is perfect. So far i think its one of the best open world games ever made, easy top 10 open world game of all time.

This game is definitely in my top 5. The best combat of any game, great story, great voice acting in English and Japanese, epic moments, quick load times even on the ps4, and a simple menu that works (I'm looking at you AC games). The game also does a great job at making you feel like a samurai.

I've come to understand that sometimes you just won't be in the mood to play a game that you know forsure you will like. I say, play what you feel like playing, you'll come back to the game eventually when the time feels right.

I played through this game about 5 times and the kill uncle ending always pulls at the heartstrings. The game will always have a reserved spot on the SSD. I wouldn't say its a spiritual successor to AssCreed its more of a grounded Onimusha

I remember watching the E3 announcement with some buddies and I saw the first footage, then the sucker punch logo, and immediately knew we were going to get greatness. Sucker Punch does well with open world the Infamous series really kept me going, with its nuances and quirks.

I rly liked this game so much personality I am a bit confused that load times and frame rate changed it for u so much but I'm glad u ended up enjoying the experience it truly is smth special even for a fairly empty world outside of missions and stuff like that

I’d love a more urban setting, opens opportunity for further traversal development as well as diversifying the world. The rural island feel has it’s charm but there’s very little change to that in gameplay aside from a village or two. A mainland game with a bustling Kyoto setting as well as rural areas would create a much more grand atmosphere. The city could be full of corruption, quests, interesting characters, maybe even a reputation system building further on that ghost vs samurai identity that Jin struggled with. This isn’t necessarily a better game structure but it certainly would evolve the formula and force the gameplay to evolve with it in a more natural sense than “oh your samurai can climb way better than Jin for reasons” as a city setting shinobi game would demand a developed free running system. A final improvement that I think would actually be better is giving the player a little more agency than a few key moments, the forced ghost gameplay really irritated me as I assumed based in much hint of conflict in Jin that the player would have to choose between stealth and samurai as was suggested in open world gameplay but in missions it’s much more strict. This could link with the reputation system as being more traditionally samurai could gain you renown but may impact the world, the heavy handed approach of open combat could mean less lives saved or a much harder difficulty. Anyways I’m done, they could probably make anything similar to the first game and I’d enjoy the hell out of it, just a few ideas that would personally make me enjoy the experience marginally more.

Not the greatest story for replayability, a great story nonetheless... but the game really shines in *combat*... it's on a league of it's own. Nothing compares to the flow this game can evoke onto your when you're playing at a high level on Lethal/Lethal+ mode, except for maybe Sifu. Even games like Elden Ring is eh... Sekiro however is a good match in terms of flow gaming. That's why I'm always drawn to this game. For anybody who already mastered the game and finding it difficult to find that 'challenging' factor to it... start a new game on Lethal and don't upgrade your katana for a hardcore challenge, akin to games like Sekiro/Nioh and whatever. I certainly prefer it to either of those games personally. REGARDING SAKE... it's awesome. It's quite sweet and tasteful, but if you have enough cups it does come onto you as gently as a cargo train. It's a wonderful drink :)

I had a tough time getting into this game the first time around. It didn't have anything to do with the quality of the game, but rather my own headspace at the time. This video made me try it again and holy cow am I ever grateful for it. It is a beautiful piece of work, which I was expecting, but never would I have expected the story to grab me like it did. To anyone who is fed up with open world games, I ask you to give this a try. It has a very different pace to it and let's you dive into a world without much distraction. Hard to explain, but ease give it a try.

I had a similar experience with this game and I too couldn't figure out what changed for a bit It started when I first got it on the ps4, through the game catalog and I knew nothing about it. I sat down to play but didn't even make it past the first tutorial I think the reason I couldn't just sit and enjoy it was because I had some issues with things outside and never gave myself a moment to relax and actually get into the game. That was all about 2 months ago and I've only just got into it about a week ago and have been playing nonstop ever since. Looking forward to keep playing and enjoying the game

Man, imagine not being able to get into this masterpiece

This is one of the best games in the past 10 years and easily one of the most visually stunning as well

One of my favorite games of all time. I love the gameplay loop and cleared the entire map.

Crazy, I usually struggle to get into some games, but this caught me immediately

Luke I swear we’re riding the same wavelength. Every time you post a “I tried ____ again” video, I also happen to be replaying that game 😭 the replay value hits us at the same time

I feel you with this in so many ways. I discovered my love for video games again in the opposite way. I was tired of the Ubisoft formula as well. But I had a game witch taught me a need I wasnt even aware I had: deceleration. Since Red Dead Redemption II I am a completly different gamer. Not running behind alle the questmarkers, just shut down all the UI and discover the worlds by myself. I know, Assassins Creed isnt designd for that, but even with Valhallah I hat a hole better experience with that approach. I dont say it was a good game, but with calm, piece and slow paced exploration (I dont run anymore in videogames unless the story has some kind of urgency), I actually had fun with it again. Of course, Ghost of Tsushima was good as well, but my heart belongs to RDRII. Sorry Rockstar-Employees and thanks for that tremendous game!

This made my summer 2020.. I call it the Sho Kosugi game being Jin reminds me so much of him in his prime.. Quite possibly my favorite ps4 exclusive.. And after I got ps5 upgrading was a no brainer

18:23 Assassin's Creed Origins had these cool little detail aswell 👌

Oh wow, it's been a month so we're doing this video again.

I’m confused…. You didn’t like it on PS4 but the exact same game released and all of a sudden it was a beautiful immersive open world lol 🤔🧐

Cheers to your in depth video bro, but you need to try Sake!! 😊Anyway, what I truly love about GOT is the combat system (among other things) to be in control of “The kill” is no small thing!! The hack n slash has been removed, as long as you play by the rules, and really like that aspect. Other games can make you a slave to 1 or 2 fight types… bla.. GOT has found an easy and fun way to fight in a ton of different ways without it being cumbersome. I certainly hope there will be a part 2!! Thanks bruv ❤

Sarugami armor is the best one in my opinion, it teaches you to perfect parry every time, though you can block by holding L1. Plus, give you three additional strikes with huge damage, which combining with other unblockable strikes allows you to kill enemies with ease

This game is a masterpiece.

i played ghost of tsushima on my ps4 pro with an SSD and there were basically no load times

I really loved the way this game had places that visually calles your attention to discover important items instead of just hiding them and in insconpicuous places. If a place looks special it has something special, great game design.

guiding wind is the best thing this game brought to the industry and those pinpoints especially the ones like cyberpunk where it has the full name above it taking up screen space drives me nuts

Me: I love this game . It’s incredible and amazing . They crafted a wonderful story, the mechanics are awesome and the characters are great. Luke: I love the game because the frame rate in the directors cut is better and there are no load times Me : ok. As long as you enjoy 😂😂😂😂😂

I would love for the sequel to have more mythic/legendary moves! Those were super fun to execute and fight with, so more of that would be wonderful! Also adding a certain level of acrobatics into the combat system would be ... breathtaking I dare to say :))

18:24 it's ''Maximus walk'' from Gladiator. you can find it also in Assassin's Creed Origins

I was the same it took me a while to get into it. I’ve just got back into it and the game look and now feels amazing to play. Started on a PS4 now i am on my PS5.

One of the greatest games ever made, an absolutely phenomenal experience.

The game is an absolute masterpiece.

The coop stuff was fun too. My buddy and I got a lot more from this game than we thought we would

Man , I LOVED this game. It was so good. Can’t wait to give it more time since finishing to play again.

I really hope that the state of discussing /reviewing games hasnt devolved into simply bashing another game. I recognized and respect that luke produced the three part review (which i watched) but valhalla must have traumatized him.

Ghost of Tsushima is one of those games that is Universally loved by everybody

Thank you. You have made me have another look at this game 🙂

wow the fact that wearing mongol armor makes you almost undetectable to mongols is so cool, reminds me of that one mission in every single Assassin's Creed game where you need to infiltrate a camp and they make you wear enemy armor so you're undetectable, but outside of that mission doing the same thing is impossible because the option just isn't there. Really cool and it also just gives of some sense of realism, and also just making you feel like a bad-ass spy or something. I can't wait 'til this game comes out on PC (which I hope it does)

amazing gameplay, amazing graphics, great story, great content and side quests. Basically what AC should have become.

Found it, boring, empty, and bloated. Cutscenes and dialogue are bad as well as the side missions. The graphics and gameplay were top notch. But too many things ruined it for me including the endless collectibles. I just want raw amazing 8-20 hours solid well made game.

I'm currently playing ghost for the first time after waiting for my chance for over two years, due to other stuff I had to do, other games that had to be played before and me not having a playstation. So now I was able to borrow a ps4, not even pro, not even directors cut, and I'm enjoying this game so much! I played Horizon Zero Dawn for a couple hours before and finished Cyberpunk before that (you might say I'm behind a bit), and I think I totally get why Luke is enjoying it. It really brings a fresh system and relieves youself when leaving you off the leash. Its overwhelming graphics, its minimalistic though setting-fitting music, its diverse world-design, its challenging though fun gameplay mechanics, the love for details (e.g. when paying respect to dead samurai Jin says something). Only things I find it lacking in and I wish for a possible next game to improve at are: 1. the depth of characters and story. I find it hard to really feel with the main characters. I get their ambitions and driving reasons but I'm not feeling them enough. The story is understandable but somehow not that interesting or compelling, while Jin is actually raging to go on with it, me as the player don't feel the urge. 2. sometimes I find the yellow birds to be actually too present, too apparent. I enjoyed a lot more to find interesting places by reacting to their "hint" in the distance (smoke, fog, birds, glow) than being kind of interrupted in my journey by a bird every two minutes. 3. at the version of the game that I'm playing you can't save the selection of charms with your armor, so whenever I switching from exploration to stealth combat to direct combat I have to switch my armor and my charms all one by one so I can get the most benefit of them. That's really annoying. I now completely finished the first part of the island and am now starting with the second and I already realized the difference it appearance and style and even that there are new activities coming like the incredibly challenging ronin fights. And I really like that because I already started to feel like "well now I have two more parts of the island to do the exact same things all over" but no, the game comes up with new, refreshing, although possibly frustrating things to do. Simply one of the best games. 🤍

I am going through my first gameplay of Ghost of Tsushima. Playing it on the PS5. Although I love it and agree with everything you said so far through the game, I feel like the quest/tale system is a bit too fragmented. Some tales have 9 parts that are all distant from each other on the map and that makes me go through a bunch of other quest and exploration near by before I move on to the next part of the tale. Sometimes I even forget what the tale was about. I suspect it may be because of a non-western narrative approach(?). All things considered though, a surprisingly good experience.

you say it like the game is dead or something

I hated the game

Ghost's traversal system is smooth but it also becomes extremely railed at times with the old trope of basically ascending by predetermined climbing points. AC Unity's parkour, brilliant city design and varied sidequests, puzzles and assassinations combined with Ghost of Tsushima's combat and stealth systems would be incredible.