While there has yet to be an official confirmation of a sequel to 2020's Ghost of Tsushima, the overwhelming success of the first game warrants a follow-up that Sucker Punch shouldn't pass up. The game was the PlayStation 4's swan song, presenting a stunning open world littered with fleeting curiosities, a gorgeous art style, and flashes of authentic Japanese culture. Jin Sakai's desperate defense of his home from the Mongol invasion was a story so well told, and was further proof that Sony's first party studios have the ability to craft memorable experiences that are on a par with other industry titans.
Taking advantage of the Feudal Japanese time period, Ghost of Tsushima was able to deliver players a satisfying layer of escapism alongside the engaging combat mechanics and endless potential for exploration. The culture of Japan has been leaned on a lot in recent times by a myriad of other developers, 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, also. The recently-announced Rise of the Ronin is something that looked instantly familiar, and its 2024 release date could put it in the firing line of Ghost of Tsushima's (hopeful) sequel, which is a dangerous place to be.
Rise of the Ronin's Potential
Unveiled at the September State of Play, Rise of the Ronin is the latest outing from Team Ninja, the studio behind Dead or Alive and Nioh, among others. The company has history with Samurai-centric titles, and its newest project will look to harness its history to make the PS5 exclusive a success. Little is known of the project outside the trailer that was shown, but with a Bakumatsu setting of 1863 and an open-world for players to explore, it should sit alongside other franchises that also find narrative potential in history.
Unlike Ghost of Tsushima that tells a rather rigid story with side quests aplenty, Rise of the Ronin will allow a degree of choice, meaning players can shape the story around their own preferences and beliefs. Like the former, though, it will focus on a character who is beholden to nobody and free to carve their own path. It's a time of civil war, showcasing the end of the nearly 300-year Edo period meaning that there is more conflict in the setting than ever before. It takes place centuries after the events of Ghost of Tsushima, but will undoubtedly share atmospheric and cultural similarities that could be to its detriment as much as its benefit.
The Scope of Ghost of Tsushima
In 2020, Sucker Punch once again showed its capability to craft meaningful and content-packed experiences, but at a whole new level. InFamous was a delightful superhero story at a time when comic-inspired games weren't all over the industry, and its sequel improved upon the first in so many ways. InFamous Second Son was a step-up in presentation and mechanics, but Ghost of Tsushima was a substantial leap in quality. A potential follow-up to Jin Sakai's story would be the natural next step for the company.
Unlike Ghost of Tsushima that is already established and has a large swathe of fans, Rise of the Ronin is at square one, and has to rely on the quality of its promotional material to stand out. The issue is that there are plenty of similar looking games that occupy a handful of genres. From the upcoming and as-yet untitled Assassin's Creed Red to the smaller scale of Trek to Yomi, samurai protagonists and Japanese settings are nothing new. Rise of the Ronin's recent trailer immediately drew comparisons to other games, so much so that it runs the risk of getting lost in the pack.
Team Ninja is no newcomer to crafting great games, and if there was ever a developer to snatch the Samurai crown from Sucker Punch's head, it would be the Tokyo-based outfit. Nioh 3 may be a pipe dream, but if Rise of the Ronin can deliver on its promises then this may very well be for the best. Ghost of Tsushima is a huge IP to contend with, though, and if its successor releases 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.