While there is no official confirmation of a 2020 sequel yet Ghost of Tsushima, the overwhelming success of the first game justifies a sequel that Sucker Punch should not pass up. The game was the swan song of the PlayStation 4, presenting a stunning open world full of fleeting curiosities, beautiful art style and flashes of authentic Japanese culture. Jin Sakai’s desperate defense of his home from the Mongol invasion was such a well-told story, and was further proof that Sony’s first party studios have the ability to create memorable experiences akin to those of other industry titans.
Using the feudal Japanese time period, Ghost of Tsushima was able to provide players with a satisfying layer of escapism in addition to the engaging combat mechanics and endless possibilities for exploration. Japan’s culture has been much supported by a host of other developers lately, and while Sucker Punch’s most recent effort is the most revered by fans, that’s not to say others aren’t of a high quality either. The recently announced Rise of the Ronin is something that looked instantly familiar, and the 2024 release date would put it in the firing line of Ghost of Tsushima‘s (hopeful) sequel, which is a dangerous place to be.
Rise in Ronin .’s potential
Unveiled at September’s State of Play, Rise of the Ronin is the latest outing from Team Ninja, the studio behind Dead or alive and Nioh, among other things. The company has history with Samurai-focused titles, and the latest project will try to leverage its history to make the PS5 exclusive a success. Little is known about the project outside of the trailer that was shown, but with an 1863 Bakumatsu setting and an open world for players to explore, it should stand alongside other franchises that also find narrative potential in history.
unlike Ghost of Tsushima that tells a rather rigid story with enough side missions, Rise of the Ronin will allow for a degree of choice, meaning players can shape the story around their own preferences and beliefs. Like the first, however, it will focus on a character who is under no obligation to anyone and is free to make his own way. It’s a time of civil war, the end of the nearly 300-year Edo period, which means there are more conflicts in the area than ever before. It takes place centuries after the events of Ghost of Tsushimabut will undoubtedly share atmospheric and cultural similarities that can be both against and in his favour.
The scope of Ghost of Tsushima
In 2020, Sucker Punch again showed its ability to create meaningful and content-rich experiences, but on a whole new level. Notorious was a delightful superhero story at a time when comics-inspired games weren’t ubiquitous in the industry, and the sequel was better than the first in so many ways. Unknown second son was a step forward in presentation and mechanics, but Ghost of Tsushima was a big leap in quality. A possible sequel to Jin Sakai’s story would be a logical next step for the company.
unlike Ghost of Tsushima which is already an established name and has a large number of fans, Rise of the Ronin ranks first and must rely on the quality of its promotional materials to stand out. The problem is that there are plenty of similar games that span a handful of genres. From the upcoming and as yet untitled Assassin’s Creed Red to the smaller scale of Head to Yomisamurai protagonists and Japanese institutions are nothing new. Rise of the RoninThe recent trailer immediately drew comparisons to other games, so much so that it risks getting lost in the pack.
Team Ninja is no newcomer to making great games, and if ever there was a developer who would rip the Samurai crown from Sucker Punch’s head, it would be the Tokyo-based outfit. Nioh 3 may be a utopia, but if Rise of the Ronin can deliver on its promises, then this might be for the best. Ghost of Tsushima is a huge IP to contend with though, and if its successor comes out in the same calendar year as Team Ninja’s next game, the competition will be incredibly fierce.
Ghost of Tsushima is available on PS4 and PS5.
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