Ghost of Tsushima takes players across vast regions throughout the entire island of Tsushima that’s teeming with things to do. As with any other open-world game, there are oodles of side-quests to try out. This guide will show players the best ones and where they can be found.
During the late 13th century, there is turmoil unfolding across the fields of Tsushima. There has been a Mongolian invasion sprouting up all over the region led by Khotun Khan that originated from a faraway land. Players take control of a young samurai named Jin, as he follows his seasoned uncle Lord Shimura into battle to repel the invading forces. Of course, things didn’t go as planned and the entire samurai army was slaughtered. Being grievously wounded, Jin tries to rescue his captured uncle from the Mongolian forces, only to be beaten. Players will follow Jin’s journey as he scours the land, recruiting new allies and finding various new fighting techniques to redeem himself and save Lord Shimura from a certain fate.
Ghost of Tsushima borrows elements from certain other IPs such as Shadow of Mordor and even The Witcher as it elegantly weaves their stealth and combat mechanics into this open-world game. There are no waypoints to lead players and it’s solely up to them on how to go about their adventure and where to explore. Looting will be a common occurrence in which players can build new armor as well as even acquiring a grappling hook. Players can choose how to engage their enemies. They can sneakily snake their way into enemy camps and cutthroats, only to disappear into the wind, or they can sword fight head-on. There are several sword techniques that players can switch during combat that gives new move sets and combos. Thus, there are also tools like firecrackers and smoke bombs that can be used to distract enemies and provide a quick escape.
The Best Side Quests In Ghost of Tsushima
The side quests in Ghost of Tsushima aren’t just a one-note venture that’s forgotten the next day. Instead, they tend to be sprawling tales that come with an over-reaching arc that relates to certain NPCs and events. They’re organically connected and they can provide some rich information about the Mongolian invasion as well as some essential loot. It’s worth pointing out that not all side quests give the best loot, instead they provide some thought-provoking yarns that flesh out the entire campaign and enrich the playthrough of the player. In any case, some of these quests are more memorable than others and the following is a list of what’s widely considered the best of the bunch.
- Sensei Ishikawa’s Quests
Players will come across Sensei Ishikawa early in the game. The first segment will be titled “The Tale of Sensei Ishikawa” and it’s about him rescuing his former student that’s forced to teach his legendary archery skills to the Mongol army. This story will take place across all three regions of Tsushima within a 9 mission storyline that’s a rather poignant and powerful tale worth experiencing.
- Fit for the Khan
It’s recommended to poke around the whitened peaks of Kamiagata and try to complete this quest. Doing this successfully will defog the entire region by default. It can be a blinding trek to complete due to the blizzards and dense atmosphere. However, the three optional waypoints this quest forces you reach will at least, clear up the fog and help find some shrines along the way. The story within this quest isn’t anything terribly special, but it will reward players with a combat-focused armor that can turn the tide of the final act down the road.
- Lady Masako’s Quests
This quest will let players explore the aftermath of the Mongol slaughter-fest toward the samurai during the beginning of the game. Therefore, this story will take place back at Komoda Beach. Initially, at the beginning of the story, Jin will try to recruit Lady Masako to help him defeat the Mongolian army. However, she will have other plans as she mentions her entire family was savagely killed by someone. Jinn, in good faith, will aide her on her own tale of revenge. Even though this story sounds parallel to the main campaign, there are quite a few twists and turns that span across all regions of the island with a 9 mission story arc, just like Sensei Ishikawa’s quest. Lady Masako’s quest is probably the most emotional of all the side-quests that shouldn’t be missed.
- The Art of Seeing
Jin will meet Yuriko early in the game shortly after arriving at Toyotama. She’s an elderly lady that cared for Jin during this childhood. Her first mission, “The Proud Do Not Endure”, will actually give players a new toy that can enhance their stealth skills. Alternatively, her secondary quest “The Art of Seeing” is a gut-wrenching story that doesn’t really reward much loot, but it’ll take players on a tour throughout the island as Yuriko reminiscences about her life. There’s no combat to be had here, instead, this quests is recommended to help get a lay of the land and even take some awe-inspiring pictures if that’s desirable.
- Mythic Quests
There are three types of side quests in Ghost of Tsushima that can be found on the map with distinct colors. Gold quests are the main storyline missions, white quests are the side missions and blue quests are known as “Mythic Quests”. These quests, upon completion, will reward players with game-altering armor, moves, weapons, and other goodies. If players see one of these quests lingering around on their map, it’s recommended to take some time and get a few done. Some of the most rewarding Mythic Quests are; The Undying Flame, The Heavenly Strike, The Six Blades of Kojiro, The Curse of Uchitsune, and The Legend of Tadayori.
Ghost of Tsushima is available on PlayStation 4.
