When Sucker Punch released Ghost of Tsushima in 2020, it made a huge impact in the gaming world. Players were stunned by the game's sublimely beautiful world, which serves as a fictionalized version of Japan's Tsushima Island. The picturesque environments are complemented by a lush soundtrack and impactful combat that never seems to get boring. Even going up against other great titles released in the same year, including The Last of Us Part 2, Ghost of Tsushima managed to snag the Player's Voice Award at The Game Awards in 2020.

While many critics will focus on Ghost of Tsushima's gorgeous setting and mature story, there is one aspect that is so effective at what it does that many players may not notice it is there at all — the introduction. For most games, introductions serve to ease players into the gameplay of the game, as well as to present the beginning plot. However, introductions can often end up feeling like laborsome but necessary tutorials that are disjointed from the main game. Through clever game design, Ghost of Tsushima introduces itself while still making players feel like they're jumping straight into the action.

Spoilers for Ghost of Tsushima ahead.

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The Mongols Are Coming

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Ghost of Tsushima opens up with the brave samurais of Tsushima Island watching an incoming wave of Mongols arriving. They are big, they are tough, and they are ready to take over the island. Being noble, virtuous warriors, the samurais of Tsushima Island send forth one of their men to greet the invaders. If war must break out, they plan to do so playing a fair game. However, the Mongols play by different rules and, in a blatant cheap shot, the Tsushima Island warrior is killed.

Jin Sakai, the game's protagonist, heads towards the Mongols with his fellow samurais by his side, and although they fight with everything they have, they are outnumbered and are slaughtered. Jin almost meets his demise, but he is fortunately saved by Yuna, a woman with a talent for stealing. Upon awakening, he discovers that his uncle, Lord Shimura, has been captured by the Mongols. Though Jin tries to rescue him, he is defeated by the large Mongol warrior Khotun, who leaves Jin for dead.

Although Jin's loss is an embarrassing and disheartening one, he does learn something very important — he must change. The Mongols have been studying the samurais of Tsushima Island for ages. They know their customs, their strategies, and their way of life. To resort to the same tactics the samurais have been using for generations will mean certain death for Jin. Hence, Jin must adopt strategies and new combat techniques, even if it means rejecting some of the ideas of nobility and honor that he once held close to his heart.

Through the introduction, Ghost of Tsushima beautifully reveals the plot and the central conflict of the game. Jin's personality and his values are fleshed out, while the nature of the Mongol invasion is also illustrated. In a mere 20 minutes of play, gamers are able to understand what Jin's motivation is, what he is up against, and what he must do to succeed. Most importantly, the culture and traditions of Tsushima Island are also explained. All of this is done without sacrificing action or making players sit through an excessively long cutscene.

Become a Samurai With Jin

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Jin is a complex character who finds himself at crossroads. As much as he values the lessons he has grown up with, he understands that some of them have to be abandoned if he is to stop the incoming Mongol invasion. He has seen that the samurai skills that have served him well his whole life may be insufficient, however, he still values fighting with integrity and nobility, even if his opponents use dirty tricks.

To understand Jin's drive to be the best warrior, and where his values come from, the introduction to Ghost of Tsushima features several flashbacks to Jin's childhood. Players learn that Jin is no stranger to losing and he has been bullied by people far bigger than him. However, Lord Shimura is around to mentor Jin and teach him the way of the samurai.

During these flashbacks, players have a friendly tussle with Lord Shimura and, in doing so, learn the basics of combat in the game. Although it does not feel like it, these flashbacks are tutorials crafted to teach players how deal with opponents. Players then have the opportunity to test their skills against the Mongols when the flashbacks end and Jin attempts to rescue Lord Shimura. After the beautiful shots of Tsushima Island, the intense battles, and the gripping story, Ghost of Tsushima finally begins properly, and players have everything they need to start their quest to end the Mongol invasion.

Tutorials and introductions have the potential to be the most boring part of a game, especially during replays. However, through genius game design, Ghost of Tsushima keeps things interesting and never relents on the action while still teaching players the ropes.

Ghost of Tsushima is available now on PS4 and PS5.

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