After weeks of rumors, Sucker Punch finally revealed the Director's Cut version of Ghost of Tsushima. The rerelease brings a ton of new content to the popular open world game including an all new expansion set on the nearby Iki Island. Originally thought to be a standalone add-on, the expansion is instead bundled inside of the Director's Cut and adds a new story set in a different location with all-new content to unlock as well.
For many, the biggest part of the Director's Cut package is the numerous enhancements it provides for PlayStation 5 users. Similar to The Last of Us 2, fans have been patiently waiting for news regarding a true PS5 version of Ghost of Tsushima. While the game already benefits from the additional technology and hardware capabilities of the next-gen console, fans have been eager to experience the game with 4k 60FPS visuals, haptic feedback, and more.
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Thankfully, the Director's Cut now makes that a reality, though unlike most cross generational games, Sucker Punch has opted for a different approach with upgrading players from the PlayStation 4 to PlayStation 5 version of Ghost of Tsushima. For those willing to purchase the upgrade, along with all of the other included content, they'll be getting a wealth of enhancements when it arrives on August 20. Here are all of the known upgrades for PlayStation 5 users.
While all PlayStation users get access to the Iki Island expansion, those who are on the PS5 will gain exclusive access to a number of specific features. Ironically enough, Sucker Punch admitted to seeing plenty of fan feedback regarding the lack of lip-synching for those who opt to experience the game through Japanese voice over. The Director's Cut addresses this issue thanks to the PlayStation 5's ability to render cinematics in real time, which has given the studio an opportunity to allow for full lip syncing with Japanese voice over during cutscenes for the base game as well as the new Iki Island expansion.
One feature that received a lot of praise during the game's release were the already reduced load times when first loading into a saved game or after a death. While the world itself is largely seamless, Sucker Punch actually opted to make the already limited load times a bit longer in order to display tip screens intended to help the player. However, with the Director's Cut, Sucker Punch has confirmed that the load times are somehow going to be drastically improved even further.
For those who want the best visual fidelity, new settings will present players with dynamic 4K resolution options and framerates targeting 60FPS. Naturally, these require players to be playing on a television that is 4K ready. Finally, Ghost of Tsushima Director's Cut also brings with it further enhancements to 3D audio for users with stereo headphones, bringing the game in line with other first party Sony games like recent releases Returnal and Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart.
The DualSense controller has proven to be a fan favorite accessory to the PlayStation 5, thanks in large part to how developers have been able to take advantage of features like haptic feedback, and improved audio speaker, and adaptive triggers. Sucker Punch has confirmed that the Director's Cut fully utilizes both haptic feedback and the adaptive triggers to help further immerse the player inside of the game. Unfortunately, no examples of how these work were given, though it's not hard to imagine that players would be able to feel the string of Jin's bow tightening before letting the arrow fly or the controller rumbling when swords clash during a tense duel. These features are being brought to all aspects of Ghost of Tsushima, from the main campaign, expansion, and the multiplayer focused Legends mode.
Interested players can upgrade directly from the original PS4 version to the PS5 Director's Cut for $29.99 something which has left many in the community less than enthused about considering all of the free version upgrades. Still, the Director's Cut experience isn't just PS5 improvements, bringing with it other enhancements like target lock-on as well as new content that includes a full fledged expansion. Ghost of Tsushima Director's Cut pre-order bonuses are available which include a mini digital soundtrack with a handful of tracks from the original game as well as two new songs from the Iki expansion. In addition, players can get a digital art book with concept art from the original Tsushima Island campaign and 10 new pieces from the expansion area.
Ghost of Tsushima Director's Cut launches on August 20 for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5.