- Ghost of Tsushima features an open-world, but it’s not going to be loaded with mind-numbing bloat.
- Developer Sucker Punch knows some gamers actually want to focus on the story.
- This is that rare open-world title that won’t eat your life.
Ghost of Tsushima, the other PlayStation 4 exclusive coming this summer, is steadily accumulating hype ahead of its July 17 release date.
I must confess, I was a little bummed when I first learned it would be an open-world title. I know open-world is all the rage, but my schedule is pretty tight these days.
After all, most open-world games are full of fluff. There are so many boring side quests and pointless extra content just so the marketing team can boast “100 hours!” – as if it were a good thing.
Ghost of Tsushima Won’t Force You to Choose Between the Real World and a Virtual One
With upcoming games like Assassin’s Creed Valhalla looking to be bigger than the 80-hour epic that is Odyssey, I can’t be the only one exhausted by the “open-world” trope.
Fortunately, developer Sucker Punch respects a player’s time. They’ve revealed that Ghost of Tsushima is only 40-50 hours with all of the side content. Those who just want to play the core story can do so in a shorter time frame.
Of course, the game’s director, Nate Fox, hopes players will branch out. Speaking to Voxel, he states:
But I would highly recommend that everyone get off the main route and get lost on the island of Tsushima, since there is a lot to discover there.
When It Comes to Playtime, Bigger Is Not Always Better
The crucial thing is that the game gives players a choice.
I can’t be the only one who shied away from Ghost Recon: Wildlands and Red Dead Redemption 2 because their scope was just too daunting.
No matter the approach, those titles require massive time investments. That’s great for gamers with time to spare – but what if I just want a good story?
It’s time to quash the tired narrative that bigger is always better. Games that respect our time absolutely earn our hard-earned dollars.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of CCN.com.
This article was edited by Josiah Wilmoth.
Blockchain, cryptocurrency, and gaming journalist. Feels most at home with a controller and something to learn about. Likes emerging things, music, motion graphics, video editing, photography, and YouTube. Contact Max: [email protected]