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The 10 Best Games Like Ghost of Tsushima
What are the best games like Ghost of Tsushima?
Ghost of Tsushima has set the bar high for samurai games, a corner of the gaming industry that has been infamously lacking.
Between its open-world design, smooth combat, and historical Japanese setting, it’s no wonder this game has enthralled so many players.
However, when you run out of things to do in this game, we’ve found some similar ones that can help fill the void.
The 10 Best Games Like Ghost of Tsushima
While there, unfortunately, aren’t a lot of games revolving around samurai warriors, we’ve been able to find titles with comparable gameplay.
These games have been chosen based on how well they can complement Ghost of Tsushima, as well as their overall popularity and sales.
So, put down your katana for a moment and check out our list of the 10 best games like Ghost of Tsushima:
10. Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
Kicking off our list, we have Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, which is set five years after Episode III: Revenge of the Sith.
Released in 2019, this action-adventure game features all of the lightsaber-wielding fun that you’d expect from one of the best Star Wars games, along with force powers, of course.
This game follows the Jedi Padawan, Cal Kestis, who finds himself a target of the Empire, that is hunting him throughout the galaxy.
As Cal, players must travel to various planets while trying to complete his training and rebuild the Jedi Order.
The melee combat in this game is similar to that in Ghost of Tsushima, though maybe not quite as polished and smooth.
Fallen Order also lacks a fully open world map, instead being built around many large separate maps that players can explore.
However, gameplay will feel familiar enough to Tsushima fans that it will be easy to jump in without a big learning curve.
Plus, its sequel, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, was just recently released, making this a great time to start playing!
9. Nioh 2
Nioh 2, released in 2020, is one of the few games about samurai that can compete with Ghost of Tsushima.
In this game, players get to create their own warriors who are half-yokai, which are supernatural spirits in Japanese folklore.
Set in Japan during the 1500s, this game serves as a prequel to Nioh, and the goal is to stop Kashin Koji, who is linked to a powerful yokai.
Throughout the game, players will meet several historical figures, such as Saito Dosan and Takenaka Hanbei, samurai warriors during the Sengoku period.
If the historical bits of Ghost of Tsushima really interest you, you will definitely love this game.
The combat system here can be tough at times, but it is incredibly rewarding as it challenges you to think strategically.
Although it has more supernatural elements than Tsushima, Nioh 2 isn’t lacking when it comes to a rich and vibrant Japanese aesthetic.
8. Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor
Easily one of the best open-world PS4 games, Shadow of Mordor gives players the opportunity to explore the world of Middle Earth.
In-game, players control Talion, a Gondorian Ranger whose garrison was attacked by Sauron’s Uruk forces, decimating them.
After being sacrificed, along with his wife and son, Talion is resurrected with wraith-like abilities to exact revenge.
Taking place during the 60-year gap between The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings, the Mordor player’s experience here isn’t the barren wasteland you might expect.
However, that doesn’t mean you’ll miss out on familiar faces, such as Gollum, because every game set in this universe needs our favorite sniveling ring snatcher.
To get through the game, players can ride monsters, use parkour, or access Forge Towers that act like fast-travel locations.
Like Ghost of Tsushima, players can use melee, ranged combat, and stealth to take out enemies, with some missions providing better rewards based on which you choose.
There is also the Nemesis system, which allows players to track any Uruk which, when killed, will weaken Sauron’s army.
If you enjoyed Tsushima and love the world-building of J.R.R. Tolkien, you definitely won’t want to miss out on this game!
7. Onimusha Series
Created by Capcom, the Onimusha series has a similar vibe to Resident Evil but all of the aesthetics of Ghost of Tsushima.
Although the protagonist changes in every game, they are all skilled swordsmen living in the final years of the Sengoku period in Japan.
Every game typically involves players being sent on a mission that includes slaying demons that have begun invading the land.
Similar to Nioh 2, there are many historical figures to interact with, and its supernatural themes are much darker than anything in Tsushima.
The combat is very fast-paced, and overall gameplay is a combination of hack-and-slash fighting and puzzle-solving.
While the first game in the series, Warlords, Debuted in 2001, it has since been remastered for the PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.
This remaster features updated graphics, smoother gameplay, and a completely re-recorded soundtrack.
Although it isn’t as grounded in realism as Ghost of Tsushima, the Onimush Series is one to check out for sure.
6. For Honor
Published by Ubisoft in 2017, For Honor allows players to take on the role of various historical warriors, such as samurai, vikings, and knights.
Set in a medieval fantasy world, players can start as a character from one of five different factions with their own unique characters.
Each character comes with their own fighting styles, weapons, and skills, and players must use them to take out opponents.
There are also a number of classes to choose from, including vanguard, assassin, heavy, and hybrid.
In most missions in For Honor, players are accompanied by AI companions that are significantly weaker but can help out in tough situations.
For Honor also uses a tactical combat system called Art of Battle, which allows players to choose the position of their weapon and strength of attack.
Players can also take part in eight different multiplayer modes, including duel, elimination, skirmish, and dominion.
Since its release, For Honor has become one of the best Xbox One games, and we highly recommend giving it a try yourself!
5. Assassin’s Creed Odyssey
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey is one of the best games like The Witcher 3, and it follows a Spartan mercenary during the thick of the Peloponnesian War.
Tossed off a cliff as a child, the player’s character is tasked with stopping a dangerous cult and bringing their family back together.
Of course, along the way, players are free to explore the huge open world as much as they like and take on a variety of side quests.
There is a ton of content in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey outside of the main story, and you can even trigger repeated conquest battles for unique rewards.
During key moments throughout the game, players will also have to make important decisions that will impact the ending.
Like Ghost of Tsushima, players can use melee and ranged attacks against enemies, and stealth is always a viable option.
Players can also unlock a variety of special abilities as they level up, such as Spartan Kick or Poison Strike.
Additionally, there are many historical figures to interact with during the story, as well as some mythological ones.
Overall, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey is the perfect game for Tsushima fans to follow up with once they’ve concluded Jin’s story.
4. Batman: Arkham Knight
Batman: Arkham Knight was released in 2015 as a direct sequel to Batman: Arkham City and the fourth installment in the series.
Set nine months after the previous game, Arkham Knight follows the Bat as he confronts Scarecrow and leans off an insidious plot to unite every criminal against him.
During combat, this game emphasizes Batman’s melee combat abilities, as well as his stealth, detective instincts, and Bat-branded gadgets.
As an open-world game, players can freely explore Gotham City and interact with people to kickstart missions and open up more areas.
This game also provides players with the Batmobile as a useable vehicle, something that was missing from previous titles.
Like Ghost of Tsushima, combat in Arkham Knight focuses heavily on chaining attacks together while avoiding damage.
The fastest-selling game of 2015, Arkham Knight brings together a lot of what makes Ghost of Tsushima great with the noir-flair of DC Comic’s Batman.
3. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt was another hit released in 2015, and it continues the story of Geralt of Rivia.
In this game, players follow Geralt as he searches for his adopted daughter, Ciri, who is on the run from the Wild Hunt.
Players have a lot of freedom in this game to explore the world, take on monsters, and interact with various NPCs.
Wild Hunt also boasts advanced AI and a dynamic environment that can impact how enemies function.
There are 36 possible endings to the game, all of which hinge on decisions that players make that influence the world state.
Thanks to the popularity of the Witcher Netflix series, Wild Hunt was also re-released in 2022 for next-gen consoles.
This re-release comes with improved graphics and new outfits, and a quest based on the Netflix show.
If you loved the sword-wielding in Ghost of Tsushima, Wild Hunt is definitely a game you won’t want to ignore!
2. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
Developed by FromSoftware, the creators of Elden Ring, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is a 201 action-adventure game that closely resembles Ghost of Tsushima.
Set during the Sengoku period, this game follows a shinobi named Wolf who’s out for revenge after a samurai clan kidnaps his lord.
Unlike Elden Ring and Dark Souls, Sekiro has fewer RPG elements, though it does allow players to customize their abilities.
During combat, Wolf’s katana is used to damage the balance and posture of opponents, eventually causing an opening that allows for a single killing blow.
There are also stealth mechanics that can be used to eliminate enemies if players can get into range while remaining undetected.
Along with being one of the best games like Elden Ring, Shadows Die Twice is probably the closest game in theme and mechanics to Ghost of Tsushima.
If you’re looking for a great samurai game to play after Tsushima, you will certainly want to check out Sekiro.
1. Horizon: Zero Dawn
Taking our number one spot is Horizon: Zero Dawn, an action RPG released in 2017 as the first installment of the Horizon series.
While thematically, these games are very different, the open world and combat system will feel very familiar to Tsushima fans.
As one of the best sci-fi RPG games, Zero Dawn follows the story of Aloy, a hunter in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by mechanical beasts.
Players have to use ranged weapons, their spear, traps, or stealth in order to take out enemies, and there’s a skill tree to unlock new abilities.
What really makes this game stand out is its incredible environmental design, which makes it easy to spend hours just taking in different vistas.
In Zero Dawn, there are tons of different biomes to explore, ranging from deserts and forests to dilapidated ancient ruins.
As of 2022, this game had sold over 20 million copies, making it easily one of the best-selling games on the PS4.
We highly recommend checking this game out for yourself once you’ve finished Ghost of Tsushima, because it really is the perfect follow-up.
Summary
We hope you’ve enjoyed our recommendations for games like Ghost of Tsushima and found some new titles you haven’t played yet!
Ghost of Tsushima is a gorgeous game, and it has really set the bar high for all action adventure games coming after it.
However, once Jin’s story ends, we urge you to check out some of these other exceptional games, as they share a lot of what makes Tsushima so great!
Here’s a quick recap of the 10 best games like Ghost of Tsushima:
- Horizon: Zero Dawn
- Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
- The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
- Batman: Arkham Knight
- Assassin’s Creed Odyssey
- For Honor
- Onimusha Series
- Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor
- Nioh 2
- Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order