One of the more useful mobility options in Ghost of Tsushima is the grappling hook, as it aids Jin in scaling walls, swinging across gaps, and more. Since there are some missable items in Ghost of Tsushima, many fans want to make sure they get a hold of the grappling hook before it's too late.
Ghost of Tsushima is split into three acts, and progressing too far into the story makes certain items unobtainable until the end of the game when free roam is enabled. Thankfully, the grappling hook is not one such item, as it is received as part of the main questline, but players need to make sure they pay attention for the quest.
At the end of the first of Ghost of Tsushima's three acts, Jin is given the grappling hook by Yuna's brother at Komatsu forge. From here, there are many times throughout the rest of the game when it comes in handy quite a bit.
A word of caution: though it may be tempting to rush straight for the grappling hook in order to open up more exploration possibilities, skipping past the first act will make it impossible to get Ghost of Tsushima's longbow and other Act 1 items until the player beats the game and starts free roaming. With that in mind, it is in players' best interests to thoroughly explore Act 1 and everything it has to offer before forging on to the next region. For reference, the quest that gives the player the grappling hook is called "The Iron Hook." It is possible to complete this quest and continue Act 1 extras before initiating the final quest of this Act.
The tutorial is pretty clear about how the grappling hook is used, but a rundown wouldn't hurt. Unfortunately, Jin can only attach the grappling hook to areas marked with red and white rope. Jumping towards these areas and pressing R2 will cause the grappling hook to latch onto them. In some cases, this will result in Jin swinging across, at which point the player can release to get across wide gaps. In other cases, Jin can use the hook to scale or rappel sheer cliffs. All of these methods will prove useful throughout the game.
It's a bit disappointing that the grappling hook is limited to designated areas, but it is still incredibly useful nonetheless. Completionists and casual gamers playing Ghost of Tsushima alike can take heart knowing that this is one thing in the game which can't be missed.
Ghost of Tsushima is available now exclusively for PS4.