Ghost of Tsushima: Overview & Critic Reception
Our Ghost of Tsushima gameplay
This is a research-based overview compiled from publisher information, official patch notes and published critic reception. ParryStack assigns no score of its own. We did play this game: see our gameplay videos on this page. How we research and verify · Report an error
Critic reception
Metacritic (critic aggregate): 83 (PS4)
Source: Metacritic, checked 12 Oct 2026. These are third-party critic scores, not ParryStack ratings.
Summary
Ghost of Tsushima was well reviewed (Metacritic 83 on PS4, 87 on PS5, 89 on PC) for its samurai setting, stance-based combat and open world.
Combat: Stances
The stance system gives combat a tactical layer: Stone stance for swordsmen, Water for shielded enemies, Wind for spearmen and Moon for brutes. Ghost stance, unlocked later, makes Jin invincible and allows one-hit kills for a limited time. Standoffs are direct confrontations in which you wait for the opponent to move first and then strike.
World
The guiding wind points you toward objectives, though the world can also be explored without it; USgamer's Williams called the system a “major innovation”. On PlayStation you summon it by swiping up on the controller's touchpad. Haiku spots reward headbands, hot springs raise maximum health, and Inari Shrines unlock charm slots.
Story
Jin's conflict between samurai honour and ghost tactics drives the story. In the Iki Island expansion, Jin confronts the Mongol Eagle Tribe and its leader Ankhsar Khatun, and his father's death is a central part of the story.
Platforms and Reception
Metacritic: PS4 83, PS5 87, PC 89. Sales passed 13 million by September 2024. The PC version arrived on 16 May 2024; Steam delisted the game in 177 territories that month over PlayStation Network availability, and the lockout was lifted on 28 October 2025.
Verdict
A well-reviewed samurai action game with a strong sense of place. Kurosawa Mode is an optional presentation choice.
Pros & Cons
- Stance-based combat with a tactical layer
- Kurosawa Mode is an optional black-and-white presentation
- Iki Island expansion adds a second storyline
- Legends online mode adds multiplayer
- Some reviewers found the open-world structure formulaic
- The PC launch was affected by the regional Steam lockout (lifted in October 2025)
- Legends requires online play
Sources & fact-check
Release facts, mechanics and boss details on this page were checked against these sources on 12 October 2026. Spotted an error? Tell us.
- Wikipedia — Ghost of Tsushima (release, platforms, Metacritic, stances, standoff, guiding wind, Legends, Iki Island, sales)
- GameRevolution — How to use the guiding wind (PlayStation touchpad swipe)
- Fextralife Ghost of Tsushima wiki — Hot Springs
- Fextralife Ghost of Tsushima wiki — Haiku
- Fextralife Ghost of Tsushima wiki — Inari Shrines
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