Is Ghost of Tsushima souls-like?

With its recent release on PC, many might wonder if Ghost of Tsushima is a souls-like title. To put it in short, the title is not a souls-like game. While it does feature a combat system that relies on mechanics such as parry, some of the other core mechanics that define the souls-like genre are absent in this title. Jin Sakai's journey is a difficult one, but it does not contain the brutal elements of a soulsborne game.

In this article, we will explain why Ghost of Tsushima is not a souls-like title, and which genre it is better suited to.

Note: This article is subjective and solely reflects the writer's opinions.

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Is Ghost of Tsushima a souls-like game?

The title is not a souls-like game (Image via Sucker Punch)

No, Ghost of Tsushima is not a souls-like game. To understand why, we must first identify the factors which define a souls-like game.

What constitutes a Souls-like game?

Named after FromSoftware's Dark Souls series, a souls-like game is notorious for being a challenging title, often testing a player's patience and limits. To put it simply, the characteristics of a souls-like game can be the following:

• Challenging boss fights, with multiple phases and/or highly telegraphed movements.
• Linear and player-driven progression system.
• The narrative is primarily driven via gameplay, not the other way around.
• Focus on core stats and player skills can make or break your journey in a souls-like title.

The core concept of a souls-like revolves mainly around these points, although they can be extrapolated to include more variations. In these games, patience is key for players to triumph.

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Why is Ghost of Tsushima not a souls-like game?

The title is story-driven, which sets it apart from souls-like games (Image via Sucker Punch)

The main factor which keeps Ghost of Tsushima from embracing the souls-like format is its story. Titles like Elden Ring and Dark Souls have a narrative that is driven by your gameplay.

Yes, a base story exists, but that does not restrict the gameplay in any way. It is you who frames the bigger picture as you progress through the game, finding lore from obscure items and the world, and finally placing the pieces of the puzzle together.

Ghost of Tsushima, on the other hand, is story-driven. The core idea of the game is to regain Jin Sakai's honor while freeing the land of the Mongol invaders. Although the game does offer multiple endings, it boils down to a single choice at the end of the game. The story remains unchanged, and Jin's legacy of the Ghost remains unaltered.

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Some similarities between Ghost of Tsushima and souls-like games

Stance is an interesting mechanic (Image via Sucker Punch)

Despite not being a souls-like title, the game does borrow some inspirations from the genre. Similar to Dark Souls, GoT also features bonfires, which serve as checkpoints where you can rest, restock, and save your game.

Ghost of Tsushima's combat system also shares some similarities with souls-like games. Different stances work well to counter specific enemy types, and the emphasis on parrying and deflection leans more towards titles like Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, rather than the slow and linear approach of traditional souls-like games.

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To sum up, Ghost of Tsushima doesn't qualify as a souls-like title owing to its narrative-driven experience over the cryptic storytelling of souls-like games. While it incorporates elements like parrying and checkpoints, the focus on Jin Sakai's journey and the freedom of choice sets it apart from the genre.