As you may already know, Ghost of Tsushima takes place in 1274 on the island of Tsushima in Japan, at the start of the first Mongol invasion. The game uses real historical events as a starting point.
Tsushima in the real world
Unless you are fond of history, geography or Japan, this island is probably not familiar to you. Japan has more than 6,000 islands, and Tsushima is the 8th largest.
The island of Tsushima occupies a strategic position in the Korea Strait, and it's an intermediate point between Japan and mainland Asia. That makes it a privileged crossing point for trade, but also for an invasion by the sea. With only 80 Samurai to defend thousands of men from the Mongolian army, it was quickly invaded and its civilian population was greatly decimated.
Jin, the protagonist, is one of the few survivors. Note that the island has been invaded a second time in 1281 by the Mongols. Who knows, it might inspire a sequel!
Biomes & In-game locations
The overall map of the island is still unknown, and modern maps only serve to give a general idea of the island's shape at best. It's not necessarily very realistic, but developers have introduced all kinds of biomes featuring typical Japanese elements and thematic design.
Apart from the many camps, harbors and forts in the territories occupied by the Mongol horde, the island is quite charming with its bamboo forests, fields of flowers, snow-capped mountains, villages and castles.
The weather will of course be dynamic, with a day / night cycle. Expect rain and thunderstorms, but also constant weather in some locations and scripted moments.
The island should also evolve to a certain extent depending on the story and on your actions. The columns of smoke, for exampe, often indicate battles or people in distress.
Original content by Robin "Raiden" Bouquet.
