There’s no argument that Sucker Punch’s Ghost of Tsushima is a beautiful game, with plenty of opportunities for some incredible uses of the photo mode. However, one aesthetic mode available in the game adds multiple layers onto how players can experience the game and even bridge gaps to a completely different series.
The Kurosawa mode in Ghost of Tsushima is an incredible addition to a game that has already been lauded since release for its authentic depictions of ancient Japan. Even the Kurosawa Estate has come out in support of this black and white, cinematic mode.
With every way that Kurosawa mode transforms Ghost of Tsushima into an Akira Kurosawa epic movie, it also feeds into a popular series that is based on those films. Specifically, the original Star Wars trilogy was heavily influenced by this era of cinema, from costume and music designs, even to basic storytelling elements. Later films within the series have strayed from this initial influence, but the effects that Kurosawa’s works have had on modern cinema are still visible to this day.
Kurosawa Mode in Ghost of Tsushima
So, to look at exactly what the Kurosawa mode is in Ghost of Tsushima, it seems to be little more than a filter that goes over the top of the game. The mode removes all of the colors from the game, leaving everything black and white, and applying a film grain on top of the screen. Sucker Punch clearly went through considerable effort for authenticity, even focusing on the historically accurate Mongol invasion of Japan for the story of the game.
However, Kurosawa’s influence can even be seen in the full-color, or standard, version of Ghost of Tsushima. Specifically in how Jin’s Journey and the Tales of Tsushima quests reflect the filmmaker’s themes of honor and family, especially among the noble samurai class of warriors. Combine this with the camera work, sound design, and duel scenarios in the game and Kurosawa mode becomes the definitive experience, as it highlights every tiny detail taken from the cinematic genius.
Kurosawa’s influence on Star Wars
Speaking of the visual design of Ghost of Tsushima’s Kurosawa mode and how it draws from its namesake’s style of cinematography, Star Wars’ best visuals can also be attributed to the filmmaker. It’s no secret to many fans that designs like Darth Vader’s helmet and armor are based off of samurai armor. However, the ties run deep, even delving into the origins of the iconic Lightsaber and the Jedi duels that have become a staple of the series.
From the original duel between Darth Vader and Obi Wan, all the way to modern Star Wars films pitting Kylo Ren and Rey against each other, this type of battle is synonymous with these movies. This is again drawn directly from Kurosawa’s epics, which would often involve a lone samurai, or more often a ronin, bringing down a number of enemies or dueling with an equally skilled opponent. Homages to these iconic climaxes, which have become the modern interpretation of samurai combat, are what fuels nearly every movie, series, and comic book in the Star Wars franchise.
Bridging Ghost of Tsushima with Star Wars
In a more direct connection between these two homages to classic filmmaking, looking at the visuals that are exemplified in Kurosawa mode are a great place to start. However, it actually continues to dig deeper than this as well, leading into the music from Ghost of Tsushima and how it bears a number of similarities with John Williams’ scores for Star Wars. While the music for Star Wars is actually more associated with classics like King’s Row, the instrumentation has a similar feel to the woodwind filled ambience of Kurosawa’s works.
This is all ignoring one of the most prominent elements of Ghost of Tsushima and how well it ties in with Star Wars, especially with the games in the franchise. Samurai combat, namely the one-on-one katana duels often ends in classic films with an opponent losing a limb after being defeated. Star Wars has used this very same concept for years, beginning with Obi Wan disarming the disgruntled patron in A New Hope’s cantina scene.
Comparisons to Sekiro and Fallen Order
Looking at the combat as well, there has already been plenty of comparison between Ghost of Tsushima and Sekiro for the way they approach duels and the posture mechanics. Sekiro has also often been compared to Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, which also implemented a dueling, posture-based combat system. Considering that this is the latest game to come from the Star Wars universe, players starved on content might be looking for anything to scratch the same itch.
There’s little in terms of narrative or visual design that matches between Fallen Order and Ghost of Tsushima. However, considering that Respawn Entertainment’s lightsaber dueling epic has recently been given praise as one of the best games to capture battling with the iconic weapon, something that comes close is sure to please fans looking for more. So, to a degree, when looking at the visual inspirations, and intense dueling system, Kurosawa mode might give the best Star Wars experience this year.
Star Wars Squadrons
All of what’s been said aside, there is one star destroyer sized elephant in the room, and that is the simple fact that there is another Star Wars title coming in 2020. Star Wars Squadrons is set to release later this year and bring part of the classic Battlefront formula to the modern console generation. Specifically, EA’s next planned title within the franchise will be all about the space battles that the recent games have unfortunately left out until now.
Without Squadrons, there were actually no other titles looking to come out this year, leaving players to either finally pick up or replay Fallen Order. Seeing as how Respawn doesn’t seem intent on crafting DLC for its latest foray into Star Wars, there don’t seem to be plans to put a lightsaber in players’ hands this year. So, when it comes to this type of gameplay, Ghost of Tsushima’s Kurosawa mode is still looking to be the best way to get the Star Wars experience, even in ancient Japan.
Ghost of Tsushima is available now for PS4.
