Japanese Professor Reacts To Ghost Of Tsushima Gameplay Video 

I did some digging, the reason they picked the time period was because the mongol invasion highly out numbered the Japanese and wanted to tell a story of hopelessness and a need to change everything he was tought to win against a enemy who will never stop coming

They probably chose the Mongol invasion because they wanted an environment of insurgency, an independent fighter against an occupying force, justifying the ninja strategies, but they clearly made this because they just love Kurosawa films.

"It's more fun to kill people when they're clearly scared for their lives" - Metatron

We're at the beginning of the first mongol invasion Jin Sakai: "Hol up what do you mean first?"

"gunpowder is dishonorable" Those are bold words for someone out of sword range

Honestly, I kinda like how it’s not necessarily “historically accurate.” They didn’t go for accuracy in the history, but accuracy in the mythos and feel of the samurai, as if you’re placed right within a samurai movie. Historical accuracy is fun and important, don’t get me wrong, but I feel the team deserves praise for setting a /feeling/ of the game and sticking with that feeling in almost every aspect

Yo, a lot of Asian-american "journalist" are criticizing this game. But the actual japanese absolutely love this this game.

About time you gave yourself the true tittle you studied and earned that bro.

"It's so typical of japan, look at the light rays, the God rays" ah yes I remember those from when I went to Japan, nice rays. Totally recommend them

This dude is like the anime protagonist that can tell if someone entered his house by the changing air molekules

"The answer? Is a gun. And if that don't work? Use more gun" - Oda Nobunaga, 1575 (probably)

How any real martial art worked when death was on the line at any time in history... "You stabbed him in the back!?" "Well, yeah, his back was to me." (credit to the 1980 comedy Western movie El Diablo)

Everyone: Not like a samurai Nobunaga: Parry this you casual

Finally got around to watching your review. I love how you aren’t ripping the game to pieces but instead bringing in your expertise and knowledge. Saying what’s right and wrong whilst maintaining a positive neutrality. This is why I love your videos you humble and honest. Keep it up man much love 👌🏻👌🏻

Hey Metatron, regarding the whole "wiping/removing the blood from the blade": I have good news, as there was a scene where Jin actually puts the dull edge of the sword into the crease of his elbow and wipes it in his robes in a slow but firm motion. So in a sense, you DO see something else than just the "flicking the blood away"!

its also fascinating to hear someone talk about something they are really passionate about. your content is as always superb keep up the great work!

Japanese in Ghost of Tsushima: *represents the japanese greatly with detail although there are some exaggerations but it's okay* Mongols in Ghost of Tsushima: *Ouka Clan Bandits but in higher resolution and covers more*

From 1:54 I think that as you're not talking about the game itself you need to make your face full screen and then talk about the history of Japan and the Mongol invasion. After that you should return to the small face screen once you start talking about the game itself again.

This is my opinion but I feel the reason they went with a more Edo aesthetic style is because it's more recognizable to a mainstream audience. One who is not well versed in Feudal Japanese history and culture. I believe they wanted to make it more easily accessible to those who want a more realistic historical drama but also may not be looking for a game to "teach them history" . The Edo period has been used in multiple examples of Samurai cinema from Kurosaki to The Last Samurai and also 47 Ronin. So I think the reason they went for that aesthetic despite the game taking place generations before that is because of its recognizability.

For what I´ve seen so far this game is the perfect union between the romanticization of the samurai and japan with a bit of history

I think they chose tsushima and the mongol invasion because of the legend of the hurricane that defeated the invasion. I think they had a vague idea of a japanese open world they wanted to do with the wind guiding you mechanic and the hurricane legend was a perfect fit, so they went with it. Jin and the wind that guides him is essentially that hurricane embodied.

The grass physics are pretty clever. They're clearly a simplified particle system doing the physics but the animation is offset a couple frames and replicated between different blades of grass. It's really got its own positive aesthetic qualities to it, more than just a resource saving technique. Nice.

Got the collector's edition pre-ordered months ago. Super excited. On a side note, I hope to one day be as good at Japanese as you are. You are truly an inspiration.

About "honorable combat", I remember it being said that in Tsushima they tended to favor a very ritualistic form of warfare where even fights between armies were done by 1-on-1 duels (horse archery duels that is, not sword duels) and that that was a distinct disadvantage when the Mongols landed on Tsushima.

A wild guess, but they may have gone like: "Hey, that mongol invasion of japan story is great, let's make a game based (loosely) on it, but let's just use slightly more modern design for samurai, so it would hit the right vibe with most potential gamers, even if it might upset a very small portion of dedicated historians." ..and probably NOT like: "Hey, I really like Edo samurai looks, lets make a game with Edo samurai, and let's just drop them in to some completely random time and place in history." ..or something along the lines, perhaps?

I'm stunned by your culture Metatron. I respect that more than everything.

As I know, Tsutsima was infamous for being a pirate haven. Wako pirates of Tsutsima used to raid and pillage Korean and Chinese shores very often. And that was one of the resons why Korean and Chinese soldiers were so brutal against Tsutsimans, they wanted to retaliate the piracy they've done. In this game's trailers I haven't seen any single aspects of Tsutsima being a pirate haven. It is just represented as a typical Feudal Japan. Am I wrong? Tsutsima was not a pirate haven yet during Kamakura period?

As for the fear mechanic. I hope they thought it through. Because as much as people will try to flee, if they know you will cut them down anyways, most will fight. The saying "always leave your enemy a way out", is sadly rarely used. It's usually just a simple "If fear > x, then flee".

They do have Mongolian armor btw. It just wasn't showed in this trailer I think.

They did mention that they were going after how old samurai films were choreographed and the cinematic style they were done with, that's why it looks and feels like that. I can't really say much about why katana daisho as opposed to tachi but that might be just a design choice as a more relatable weapon set for modern players. It might also relate to the next subject..."That's not how samurai fight. No, that is EXACTLY how samurai fight." As far as I can remember, Ghost of Tsushima is supposed to tell the tale of Jin (the main character) who experiences the horror of the Mongol Invasion of Tsushima, with his (and the local folks') beliefs about how noble warriors like samurai "honorably" fight put into the spotlight of the moral question...Do they fight the "honorable" way they are culturally used to believing? Or will they do everything they can, even becoming the "Ghost of Tsushima" who relies on devious tricks and backstabbing as an unseen enemy, just to survive the invasion? That's the main focus of the whole theme from what I can remember, and I recall them mentioning very early on that Jin's story will lead to what will become the birth of the "true" samurai (a.k.a. the samurai of the more latter periods (which many of us now identify when we say "samurai") succeeding the Kamakura samurai). It might be possible that the choice of weapons Jin uses are more latter-period samurai based because of him adapting his way of thinking versus the Mongols. As for the armors the Mongols use, I can't really say without playing the actual game. They did however mention that Jin's choice of armors or clothing will have "mechanical" advantages. This statement is somewhat different when you consider they specifically used that term as opposed to "different stats". Perhaps this means bulkier armor means less agility and acrobatic capability but more protection from arrows? I can't really say.

It is the game I never knew I always wanted, beautiful. That Akira Kurosawa setting-Mahnificent.

You mentioned "Way of The Samurai" games, but you kinda missed the gameplay also featured a stance system (from the looks of it). Now I wonder if the stance system also will be similar to WoTS games or NioH games with a variation of combo movesets & styles.

Did Samurai ever sandwich their blade on the inside of their elbow (edge outwards of course) then draw it to clean off blood? I've seen that in quite a few movies

They chose the mongol invasions because they needed to capture the “fall from grace” with a historical event. Fall from grace meaning “honorable” samurai to “dishonorable” assassin. That’s my guess.

This is by far one of the most accurate and heartfelt video game authenticity reviews I've ever seen. Thank you.

I loved the Bushido blade reference, good fighting game

This seems like a good way to get new subscribers as well as entertain the noble ones

When you get the game, it would be cool if you did a sort of “Ghost of Tsushima VS Sekiro” from the perspective of historical accuracy. I know Sekiro is more of a fantasy game, but I find it really interesting how differently Sekiro portrays Samurai and Shinobi compared to Ghost of Tsushima.

There is one method where he wipes the blood off with his sleeve. He doesn't just do that slash you were talking about.

Cant wait for his take and in depth analysis on this game. Im holding my breath. Cant wait!

"Why Mongolians?" Because the mainstream like to have clear and recognisable hero/villain division. Everyone has heard of Samurai and the "Mongol horde" and allows an alternate noticeable cultural appearance in the game. Just my opinion

Amazing review Metatron. I've always been irked by the romanticed version of samurai, they were, as you said, killing machines with only the orders of their lord in mind, nothing else mattered to them. If their lord demanded a village raided and burned to the ground there was no question of honor because the only honor to a samurai was obeying his lord. Peace changed them but not to the point that is most often represented in media.

There is actually a second animation where Jin uses the sleeve of his robe to clean his sword. Its pretty cool because you only get that animation if you're wearing the right clothes.

You're the only one who is using the correct version of the game for your review (i.e. japanese dub), finally. Also it's so weird to see short hair beardless Metatron.

As someone who loves iaido, I really look forward to this game. I personally hope this becomes a series of standalone games set in different periods of Japan. Of course they would need to rename the game like Ghost of Meiji or Ghost of Edo since other games probably wouldn't be set in Tsushima, unless the sequel takes place during the second invasion. Fun fact: The developers of this game did work alongside an iaido school called "Tenshinryu Hyoho" that was founded by Tokizawa Yahei during the Edo period.

It seems to me that the reason they picked that particular period is so that they make the player face a situation where he's completely outnumbered to make him make a choice between the 2 types of combat approach. At the same time, mongols are an invading force, they do not share your language and seem to be portrayed as a force of evil, akin to some type of bandit or barbarian. They probably wanted to avoid the moral dilemmas of being a samurai or shinobi facing off against other Japanese factions with all the political and moral grayness that entrails.

Yes, he should use Tachi. But it would be even more realistic for the time to ride there with a horse and shoot them from the horse's back, than chopping them up. Armor is very right maybe only the helmet should be different. Otherwise amazing graphics and story. I'm really looking forward to this game.

My take on your question at the end; I think this event was chosen specifically to question the identity, or rather the principles of a samurai in the face of a situation where standard protocol and "honor" won't cut it anymore. As you explained, a samurai's primary role is to serve and accomplish his duty. The method is secondary as long as he meets odd's ends. That's where the shinobi aspect comes from. From that clip of dialogue, I would guess that your conquest strayed too far from what is socially accepted, and your allies will begin to doubt you.

I have never subbed so fast. As a game dev/designer, a game FAN, a fellow Japanese historian, a fan of logical,fair, in-depth breakdowns that are also entertaining, but even more...as 30-something that got immediate nostalgia vibes when you mentioned “Bushido Blade.” Thanks for the video 🙂

Very excited for this. I've always loved Tenchu games or anything to do with Samurai. I agree with you that some realistic things have to be overlooked in order to make things fun. These are things we do in leisure, I don't want them to be a grind like some real life scenarios.

How many languages do you even speak again? You're an actual genius man

Yesssss. I really want this dam game.

Yeah the concept of honor really has changed. I imagine that when they said someone was honorable they meant it in a more " He said he was gonna go do something and then he did it" way

Please do more of this. I would enjoy hearing more about Japanese history and samurai facts. 👹

I like the comments you made about the enemies’ realism in being terrified of your character, it’s a rare thing in video games. I remember in the SOCOM games for PS2 enemies used to actually surrender to you at random and you had to restrain them, it’s something you don’t see in games anymore unless it’s a specific enemy that’s scripted to surrender to you to advance the game

I have huge respect for you man, if you were some kind of leader, i would follow you anywhere you go.

Thanks for the insights. About the choice of period: I think it was more about a choice of place for an open world game. The island is very small (about 70km length) in comparison to Japan's main islands. So it's far easier to represent Tsushima "fully" in contrast to an open world game in Japan where you'd have to focus on a region (as Kingdom Come did). Hitting invisible or visible walls in an open world game feels bad and cuts off some of the immersion, while the sea surrounding Tshushima is a natural border. Maybe the edo period style was chosen for what we westerners without background in history perceive as typical Samurai from popular movies and Mangas/Animes, often playing in that time (e.g. several Kurosawa movies, Okami, Samurai Fiction, Shogun series etc.).

Cashing in on that sweet sweet '[Expert] reacts to X' algorithm kick. Well played. Also great video as always.

You’re accent is very very good , I took 3 years of Japanese in college (2 semesters a year) and was always praised by my professor for my natural Japanese accent , you’re the first westerner I can say has a better one than me. Exceptional

Happy birthday Metatron!

Weeb: "NOOOO samurai didn't use guns it's dishonorable" Portuguese, 1600: boom powder make ball go fast Nobunaga: Cool. I'm taking your entire stock

My guess for why they picked the mongol invasion is for story reasons. A samurai defending his homeland and adapting as needed to fight them off. I’m definitely buying this game when it comes out unless there’s a serious issue I hear about in reviews

I think they wanted to make the Mongols look more savage/primitive to make them look more like "bad guys" which is why they went with that aesthetic for them unfortunately

Just wanted to give you a compliment on the awesome way you review the game. Uncolored opinion with awesome facts. We need more people who review games like this. Big big big compliment. Love this

oh man I always love your commentaries on everything japan and medieval armors and weapons and stuffs.

Are you a professor Metatron? I’m not sure how the academic titles work in Italy.

Sorry, the yellow leaves at the start are ginkgo trees.

Could you please one day do a "Last Samurai" historical evaluation, it's one of my favorite movie of all time, but Im afraid to say that there might be alot of things that are pure western fantasy, and I think many other would be glad as well to hear the opinion of a Professor of Japanese history and culture like you Metatron ;)

This was really enjoying and informative to watch. People who can talk about history in an entertaining way always fascinate me. Metatron did not disappoint. You, my friend, are one of the few youtubers who preserve the true spirit of the platform in my opinion. Please never change.

Gosh, thanks for sharing this video. Truly appreciate the details you shared here with us. Now we get to learn something new because of that.

maybe they wanted to treat this historical event in the eye of samurai movie so with those element of honor ect.., aslo it seem to show that jin will go to the romantice figure of the samurai to the samurai as they fought in this period, since the game talk about the "loss of honor" as we know it today to be a shinobi warrior that use every trick and exploit his ennemies fear to win.

I didn't realize that you were a college professor?

13:35 In the shadow of mordor games, some of the orcs can try to flee in terror.

Definitely bring your sensei to analyse combat, awesome video - as a new enthusiast in Japanese history this was great to learn from.

I think they went with the Mongol Invasion setting because they wanted to to do guerilla warfare rather than a straight out battle, like Sekigahara or other famous samurai battles. Giving the player the choice to either face the enemies as an outnumbered samurai, or a ninja slowly picking off his enemies one by one.

Now I imagine a Isekai anime of Metatron in feudal Japan with his equipment.

The style, the combat, the atmosphere... all looks fantastic - a feeling I'm looking for a while now What I don't like about this game play trailer and so the game itself: As you mentioned if the devs put so much effort to depict the samurai armor - why are then the mongols look like armed peasants - while you would think when you set up a war camp while invading a foreign country you would have at least the patrols and guards wearing armor all the time. Also what is that piece of metal the mongols use? Those are NOT sabers any mounted warrior would use - and mongols were mainly horsemen - those are just far too short so they look more like early 18th century cutlasses for me. For comparison: the cavalry saber used by Hungarians in the 9th century had a blade lenght of 75 cm or even a bit longer - and that is exactly the blade lenght I would use in combat - rather than that scimitar like something with a blade lenght of seemingly 60 cm The symbols in the mongol war camp - those are like a variant of a Triskelion - but the Triskelion is a European symbol. Did the mongols used a symbol like that? Also the bow the protagonist is using... What kind of bow is that? Most certainly not a yumi, also not a recurve - did they even use in Japan bows like that? All and all I think you are completely right about that the setup for this game should be about 160 years later - where a samurai loyal to the newly established bakufu would go after ronins who turned bandits after Sekigahara So I wonder what the actual plot of the game will be...

Well my lord, as the old saying goes "Never let the facts get in the way of a good story." I would say that the developers were more looking to tell a dramatic fictional story centered around the Kamakura Mongol invasion rather than trying to do a historical reenactment. Kind of like how Hollywood portrays King Arthur (if he actually did exist) in medieval castles and shinning plate armor when he is supposedly from the Dark ages well before that time. That's probably what this game is aiming more to be, a romanticized version of old Kamakura period Japan.

Thank you very much, Great review! Looking forward for the game and your next video about it

I love how you give both perspectives; an appreciation for the cinematic style of the game Vs The authenticy for history!

06:10 it cut my eye as i used to train with katana in Ninjutsu several years ago but couldn't recall the name, Thanks dude 07:35 actually correct me if I'm wrong but the groove far end back of the Katana is designed for Shibori. 14:15 The only catch as a former shinobi (lol I just practiced like a year broke my nose and I'm out) is that when you fall from a height you should do Ukemi or Hijutsu but this character doesn't seem to performed it at-least from my perspective of view and his landing seems like noisy which all Shinobies avoid at all cost. 16:00 the answer is that I think they wanted to create a enemy with different style of fighting maybe they didn't want to show typical Samurai Vs Shinobi or Samurai Vs. Samurai we already has those games and also wanted to include a feeling that you are alone, your country invaded and you are the last hope of your ppl. I'll definitely buy this game although It's really expensive and hard to afford to buy games in My country but this game is what I was dreamed of as I was a child playing Ninja Gaiden on Nintendo NES and time passed GTA came I experienced open world and from that moment I wanted to Create a open world game full of Ninjas and Samurais, you get the idea. xD

Samurai didn’t use guns! The actual samurai who were shooting each other for centuries since the 16th century: *say sike right now*

I didn't know about this game until this video. I'll definetely buy it. Thanks for your good deed, Metatron!

Fascinating, excellent video! Makes me even more excited for the game, Thanks!

I think the fight is TOO cinematic, a little bit more chaotic will be good.

Will you ever review Nioh 2? i loved your review of the first one :)

I feel like the period its "set in" at this point is just to have a different setting than is usual or expected in "Samurai" settings. Typically the other two you mention are referenced or subconsciously chosen it seems because of the amount of it in popular media. Perhaps this is a subtle yet not all encompassing way of letting the developer differentiate its game in a small yet large enough way to make it stand out from the others should any of its other details fail at that.

This is so well explained, awesome job. I'm familiar with japanese history, culture and martial arts (i practiced Katori Shinto Ryu too), but i learned something new also, thank you!

I loved this video! I truly hope you buy this game and even doing more videos on it, I finished it and fell in love with almost everything the game had to offer.

"I'm very happy it's not another souls game" D:

Japanese gamers love this game Purely interesting as a game It’s true that the Mongolia attack Japan is different from China or South Korea like Britain is different from France 武士道（Bushido）samurai spirits ! Bushido is one of the spiritual pillars of Japan

As a multilingual, I affirm this video to be pretty accurate. Kinda refreshing, to be honest. The slices were one of the most flashy/extravagant moves, but expected from a game that makes you feel like a badass. PS. The Kenjyutsu portrayed in the game is a mix of 古武術 and 長拳系剣術(footwork and body twist). NOT pure Japanese based.

Excellent analysis. It went over my head and that of the game developers.

I can't wait for the game stream of you geeking out for a few hours when this launches. I have zero interest in samurai games, but you have such a passion for this time period that your enthusiasm transfers to me, and it's a really enjoyable experience.

I'm guessing they wanted a villainous horde, so they chose the Mongols as the enemy

I bet that they'll give full Mongol armor to boss characters to make them stand out more.

I usually like playing stealthy, but the open combat looks so good. I do hope that the open world activities aren’t like the typical Ubisoft game. I’m not a fan of mindless busywork.

Hey! I really enjoyed this video, I love the bits of information and context you provide throughout.

Can't wait to see your full review of the game ! and i look forward to playing the game too.

"Why choose the Mongol Invasion period for this game?" Maybe the developers felt it would create a more interesting story, and one that's not been old a million times before.