Professional Game Designer Stanislav Costiuc (Watch Dogs Legion, Trials Rising) breaks dow Ghost of Tsushima, a 2020 open-world action adventure for PS4 and PS5 by Sucker Punch. It focuses on a fantasy of a Samurai having to sacrifice his principles to transform into the titular Ghost, so he could save his home. While this game has been well-received, it also is weirdly underappreciated, and in this video we will take a look at all the great things that Ghost of Tsushima does, but also where it falters.
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00:00:00 – Introduction
00:04:18 – Design – The Ghost and the Samurai
00:07:57 – Design – Combat
00:11:49 – Design – Stances
00:14:30 – Design – Resolve, Stand-Offs and Ghost Tools
00:16:61 – Design – Ranged Combat
00:18:01 – Design – Clear Stealth Rules
00:20:37 – Design – Stealth Consistency and Affordances
00:23:44 – Design – Horses and Navigation
00:25:43 – Design – Progression
00:27:28 – Design – Immersive RPG Stats
00:29:47 – Design – Armor and Charms
00:32:33 – Design – The Open-World Foundation
00:35:32 – Design – The Open-World Dichotomy
00:38:53 – Design – Mission Design
00:43:38 – Design – Pacing and the Severity of Flaws
00:46:29 – Design – The Power of Focus
00:48:57 – Context – SPOILERS START – The Samurai Code
00:55:39 – Context – Themes and Character Arcs
01:02:13 – Context – Antagonists
01:07:06 – Context – Character and Player are One
01:14:08 – Aesthetics – SPOILERS END – Visual Style and Music
01:21:12 – Aesthetics – Wonderful Details
01:22:43 – Aesthetics – Not So Wonderful Details
01:26:28 – Cohesion
01:33:05 – Emotions
01:41:18 – Stasocritic Score
#ghostoftsushima #gamedesign #gamereview
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