Ghost of Tsushima

This beautiful PS4 game takes place in 13th century Japan during the first Mongol Invasion. The graphics do justice to the open countryside and forests that the Last of the Samurai must travel as they seek to rescue their lord and repel the Mongols.

The plot centers around Jin Sakai and his trials trying to stick to the Samurai code of honor while also knowing that to save Japan he must succeed at any cost. Tradition and need to win at any cost fight in his soul as he travels the island protecting the citizens of Tsushima.

The two items that make this game stand out are first the gameplay, which forces the player to take deliberate action during fights. Button mashing will not get the player very far to their goal. The second is the use of the Bushido code to drive elements of the game. There are places throughout the countryside where you can stop and compose Haiku based on the natural world's beauty.

Overall, the game is aesthetically appealing and well-plotted to entertain and drive gameplay. Ghost of Tsushima (2020, rated M) is a must-play for fans of Kurosawa films and the Okami game.