Go Solo for Once

Asking the younger demographic of gamers what videogames they have been playing, a multitude of answers will be said. But a notable thing about most titles named is that most of them will be multiplayer games.

For those bored of multiplayer games, want diversity in videogaming experiences, or just want to get into gaming without competitiveness. A single player game as a past time is game released in July of 2020 called Ghost of Tsushima.

Ghost of Tsushima is a game that takes place on the real-life island of Tsushima in 1274. The main character is Jin Sakai, a samurai who was part of the front to face the Mongols as they first arrived on the island. He fought under the army of his uncle, Lord Shimura, who ended up getting captured in the aftermath of the battle by the Mongol leader Khotun Kahn or “the Kahn”. He passes out after fighting the Kahn and get saved by a thief named Yuna.

Jin then go through a journey to rescue his uncle and defeat the Kahn. As he fights, he is coerced to use methods that break his samurai code. The game reflects how much he breaks the code through the weather. Stormy and cloudy days reflect he hasn’t followed the code, bright and clear days show he has.

Of the students answering a survey via Microsoft Form, those that said they have played Ghost of Tsushima before the average rating was 3.8 out of 5. 21 of the 27 students that have played the game rated it as 4 or higher.

Tommy Bosco, a senior here at Moeller said, "Loved the visuals and storytelling, but I also like choice-based games, because I felt like the way I played Jin he would not have became the Ghost." The Ghost is what the people of the island call Jin as he defiles the code. The small reflection of choice is why he gave the game 4 out of 5.

But there were also students such as Joseph Allgeyer that gave the game a low rating. Allgeyer said, "I'm a big game guy but for some reason I just couldn't get into it. I didn't like the gameplay and the cutscenes felt like movies." The developers may have leaned into movie-like cutscenes with settings to turn the experience to be like an old movie.

Overall, with most games, there are personal preferences a game will fall into. Ghost of Tsushima is available on PS4, PS5, and PC. Not interested in Ghost of Tsushima? Play a single-player game for something at a self-imposed pace.