The least we can say is that Ghost of Tsushima will have marked our columns last year, and particularly Stephan, who had tried it on PS4 and already qualified in the middle of July to whoever wanted to hear it that it was the game of the year! For my part, I proclaimed without difficulty that I had in front of me the best collector's edition of the year, but I was a bit more moderate vis-à-vis this Assassin's Creed-like feudal Japan. Knowing that a PS5 version of the title would arrive sooner or later, I had left the game aside after about ten hours, in order to make the most of its final version on the latest from Sony. How good did it take me?
History to recontextualize a little on the "moderate" above, you should know that I had just finished Assassin's Creed Origins et Odyssey when I received the game from Sucker Punch. Suffice to say that I was tired of the Open-World formula with hundreds of icons on a map. This is also why I motivated my choice to wait some time before playing and to take full advantage of Ghost of Tsushima. With hindsight, I maintain my initial point: this is an action-adventure title influenced by the school AC. However, the studio has brilliantly adapted the formula, removing the overflow that causes overdose, and also drawing inspiration from The Witcher, with an in-depth narration, which makes any story (a quest basically, but the term "narrative" is used by the game) interesting to follow, by involving Jin Sakai, and by extension, the player.
GoT plunges us directly into the action, with a battle between the samurai and the Mongolian people. It is enough to see the extent of the Mongolian army to understand that we will take a rouste, but the code of the samurai being what it is, it will be necessary to face and die with honor. Bad luck for our protagonist, despite severe injuries, he is still alive and cared for by a thief who saw him dying. Jin Sakai has only one thing in mind, to free his captive uncle in a fortress held by the Mongols. He will be greeted by Kothun Khan, head of the Mongol army, who will give our samurai a second beating and throw him into the sea, thinking him dead. Of course, Jin is still alive, and he will undertake to liberate the country and rally the people as well as many warriors to his cause in order to liberate the island of Tsushima, even if it means renouncing his samurai code and becoming the Ghost. .
The game takes two approaches: in the first, you can go head-on and play it samurai, with a stylized confrontation that requires you to hold and then release a button to slice the enemy with your katana, and follow up on more classic fights, quite similar to what Batman Arkham was able to offer a decade earlier. Fights based on a rhythm therefore, with different postures to use intelligently to overcome your enemies without struggling too much. Ghost of Tsushima remains quite demanding when you choose the frontal approach, but also turns out to be exhilarating. Overcoming a slew of enemies by correctly using parries, counters, special moves and other kunaïs has its effect throughout! The second approach, Le Fantôme, also appealed to me, more discreet and devious, and totally the opposite of the samurai code, we twirl from one grove to another by opening one or two throats, then we swing a arrow in the head of the enemy who is watching... each approach is enjoyable and everyone should find something for themselves!
The rise in power of our hero is also felt, especially by completing the dedicated stories that allow Jin to learn very classy ancestral techniques. Exploration globally is rewarded, and we are on something at the crossroads between Breath of the Wild et AC once again. Yes, there are points of interest, but there's no need to look at your map every 2 minutes, you can rely on the guiding wind that guides us, or even on the vibrations of the joystick that indicates nearby treasures... as long as you wear the right outfit! However, the balance is present and, even going from one camp to another to liberate a region from the Mongol yoke, we do not feel in an infinite and endless loop that annoys in the long run. The game remains pleasant to browse, and knows how to stop when necessary. Count 35 hours to overcome the main story of the game (in 3 acts) and its extension (which can easily be doubled by adding exploration and additional stories specific to each zone) which introduces a new zone of game - the island of Iki - and allows you to learn more about the past of the Sakai clan.
Technically, the title takes a leap forward as well. We now have constant 60 frames / second and an increased resolution that aims for 4K. The game thus appears much more fluid, for our greatest pleasure. As often with the PS5, loading times are practically non-existent and, although the machine is slowly approaching its first year of life, it is still a positive surprise to see that a fast trip is... fast. Note that the game has already benefited from several welcome patches. On the other hand, at launch, I had 4 crashes when leaving the photo mode, which is still a handicap for a game that invites us so willingly to travel thanks to its sumptuous environments. Because yes, GoT still shines so artistically, especially at dawn and dusk, via gorgeous light. We almost come to regret when the sun is at its zenith... the game becomes almost nondescript at that time!
Ghost of Tsushima : Director's Cut is a must have, especially if you haven't had the opportunity to play it when it was released. It is the quintessence of a successful formula. Yes, we can scream deja vu on the form, but everything is so well done that it becomes futile. Following Jin Sakai's wanderings on the island of Tsushima is a pleasure that I cannot conceal. A unique journey, with a protagonist who has no choice but to get his hands dirty to reach his goal.
- PlayStation 4/5 - 69,99€
