Ghost of Tsushima, the historical action-adventure from Sucker Punch Productions, is coming to the PS5 with a Director's Cut on August 20th. As well as a slew of PS5 exclusive features, the Director's Cut will also include an expansion to the original Ghost of Tsushima. A brand new story will take Jin from Tsushima to nearby Iki Island, where he'll find new adventures, techniques, and enemies.

Ghost of Tsushima is set during the first Mongol invasion of Japan in the late 13th century. While crossing the strait that lays between Korea and Japan, the Mongols landed first on the island of Tsushima, and then on Iki. Both islands put up a brave resistance against the invaders but were ultimately overwhelmed by sheer numbers. Although the story of Tsushima is thoroughly explored in Ghost of Tsushima, the new island of Iki isn't mentioned. To get players ready for the Director's Cut, here's everything to know about the real-world Iki Island.

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Iki Island, also known as the Iki Archipelago, is located in the Tsushima Strait. This is the channel of water that passes between the island of Tsushima and Japan's Nagasaki Prefecture. The main island at Iki was originally formed by volcanic activity and is roughly oval in shape. Compared to Tsushima, Iki is a much smaller island, and players can expect the map in Ghost of Tsushima: Director's Cut to be about a sixth of the size.

Iki has been settled since the Paleolithic era, from around 20,000 BC. Like Tsushima, the island has often been seen as a gateway for Chinese and Korean influence to enter Japan. Despite the proximity of Korea however, the culture of Iki Island remained predominately Japanese throughout the early Jomon, Yayoi, and Kofun periods.

The strategic position of Iki Island in the Korea Strait made it a clear target for invaders. Although it was not as large as Tsushima, Iki was still capable of providing safe harbor for a fleet preparing to attack the Japanese mainland.

Iki Island was the second target in Kublai Khan's invasion of Japan, following the successful conquest of Tsushima. Like Tsushima, the island only had a small garrison and was ultimately no match for the vast Mongol fleet. Despite this disadvantage, the governor Taira no Kagetaka mounted a brave defense using his 100 samurai and a volunteer force of local civilians.

Beginning the battle on the beaches, the Iki forces were quickly driven back into Taira no Kagetaka's castle, which the Mongols surrounded. Although a trusted samurai and Kagetaka's daughter managed to escape the island to warn the Japanese mainland, the siege was over quickly. Outnumbered and overwhelmed, Kagetake made a final failed sortie against the encircling Mongol forces before committing suicide along with the rest of his family.

After conquering Iki, the Mongol fleet made their way to Hakata Bay on mainland Japan. Despite the Mongols winning a first battle against the Japanese samurai, they decided to return to their ships to rest. The next morning they were gone, with historical accounts reporting that the fleet was destroyed by a storm, either while waiting in Hakata Bay, or on the way back to Korea. With the Mongols defeated, the liberation of Iki Island likely followed shortly afterwards.

Ghost of Tsushima: Director's Cut launches August 20, 2021 for PS4 and PS5.

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