As the next generation of console gaming looms ever closer, more and more people are looking to see how the games themselves will evolve. Sucker Punch’s upcoming Ghost of Tsushima is probably set to be the last huge game for the current-generation PlayStation 4, but it’s already adapting to forward-thinking play styles.
It’s been revealed that, unlike most exploration-heavy titles, Ghost of Tsushima will be ditching map waypoints in order to free the player. The title will instead treat maps similar to that of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Instead of being pointed to a mark on the map, players will be expected to test their boundaries and explore the world unguided.
In an old developer diary [via VG247], Sucker Punch Art Director Jason Connell explained the idea in more detail, saying: “We really want you to have that choice of, ‘Hey, that cool bamboo forest over there, I really wanna check it out. I wanna head in that direction and see what it is,’
“There’s no waypoint. There’s nothing that says: ‘Go here and look at this bamboo forest.'”
Connell went on to add: “Hopefully, we’re presenting something that’s beautiful and exotic, that’s different than the current place that you might be in – and that will come at a world choice. That’s your adventure choice.”
This coming from an old development diary means we have to hope the team didn’t ditch this decision along the road!
Ghost Of Tsushima is due to release exclusively on PlayStation 4 in summer 2020. In case you missed it, check out the latest trailer for the game, revealed at The Game Awards 2019.
Over on the PlayStation blog, Sony writes: “[At TGA], we debuted a brand-new trailer that delves deeper into the identity our hero is forced to adopt in order to save his home: The Ghost. While Jin starts our game as a samurai, he’ll learn skills and adopt tactics that are decidedly not samurai-like, and you can get a small taste in the footage we revealed today. In the months ahead, we’ll share more about Jin, the threats he faces, the allies that help him along his journey, and what he’ll have to give up to become this new kind of warrior.
“As I mentioned, Ghost of Tsushima is huge – the biggest game Sucker Punch has ever made by a wide margin. Our trailer includes some quick glimpses of the vibrant, diverse open world you’ll get to explore, but we’ve barely scratched the surface.”
Despite rumours that it might be getting pushed back to the PlayStation 5, the game has been revealed to be launching this generation: on June 26th, 2020.
Featured Image Credit: Sony