Should I Get Ghost Of Tsushima Or Sekiro? - Techs And Games (2025)

If you’re stuck trying to choose between Ghost of Tsushima and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, you’re not alone. These two games offer wildly different but equally incredible experiences, and picking the right one can feel like an impossible choice. So, let me help you out! I’ll break down everything you need to know so you can decide which game suits your playstyle and what you want out of your gaming adventure.

Both games immerse you in feudal Japan, filled with sword fights, intense battles, and stunning landscapes. But while they share a few similarities, they also have massive differences that could make or break your decision. Whether you crave a sprawling open-world samurai epic or a brutally challenging action game that tests your reflexes, there’s a perfect game for you — you just need to figure out which one. Let’s begin!

Understanding the Core Differences

Before we dig into the nitty-gritty details, it helps to understand what makes Ghost of Tsushima and Sekiro so distinct. Knowing their core differences can give you a quick sense of which game might align better with your preferences.

• Ghost of Tsushima: An open-world action-adventure game set during the Mongol invasion of Japan. You play as Jin Sakai, a samurai who must decide between preserving his honor and doing whatever it takes to save his people.
• Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice: A single-player action game known for its punishing difficulty and tight, skill-based combat. You play as Wolf, a shinobi tasked with protecting a divine heir, battling supernatural foes, and mastering the art of the sword.

In short: Ghost of Tsushima offers a vast, exploration-heavy experience, while Sekiro delivers an intense, precision-focused challenge. But there’s so much more to it than that, so let’s keep going!

What Kind of Story Are You Looking For?

When choosing between Ghost of Tsushima and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, the story can be a major deciding factor. Both games deliver powerful narratives, but they do it in totally different ways. If you love cinematic storytelling with rich character development, one game might pull you in more. But if you prefer a subtle, lore-driven tale with dark, mystical elements, the other might be your perfect match. Let’s look into it!

Ghost of Tsushima: A Tale of Honor, Sacrifice, and War

In Ghost of Tsushima, you step into the shoes of Jin Sakai, a noble samurai facing an impossible choice during the Mongol invasion of Tsushima Island in 1274. The story is deeply personal, exploring themes of honor, loyalty, and the cost of war.

Jin struggles between following the samurai code — fighting with honor — and adopting stealthier, more ruthless tactics to protect his people. This internal conflict makes for a gripping narrative, where every choice and action feels meaningful. The game doesn’t shy away from emotional moments, showcasing the bonds Jin forms with allies and the heartbreaking sacrifices required to save his homeland.

The world itself tells a story, too. Through side quests, you meet memorable characters with their own struggles, and these smaller tales enrich the overarching narrative. If you’re a fan of story-driven games with cinematic cutscenes and emotionally charged arcs, Ghost of Tsushima delivers in spades.

Sekiro: A Dark, Mythical Journey of Vengeance and Redemption

Sekiro, on the other hand, tells a more cryptic, minimalistic story. You play as Wolf, a shinobi sworn to protect his young lord, Kuro. After losing his arm and barely surviving an attack, Wolf is brought back to life and given a second chance to fulfill his duty. The plot revolves around the search for immortality, exploring themes of death, duty, and the supernatural.

Unlike Ghost of Tsushima, Sekiro doesn’t hand you the story on a silver platter. Much like other FromSoftware games (like Dark Souls), the narrative unfolds through environmental storytelling, item descriptions, and scattered dialogue. You’ll piece together the deeper lore bit by bit, and the more you dig, the more you discover.

This approach creates an air of mystery that some players love — especially those who enjoy interpreting subtle details and unraveling hidden meanings. But if you prefer a straightforward, character-driven narrative, it might not hook you in the same way Ghost of Tsushima does.

Which Story Is Right for You?

• Pick Ghost of Tsushima if you want:
  • A rich, cinematic story with emotional depth.
  • Clear character arcs and voice-acted cutscenes.
  • Side quests that flesh out the world and characters.
• Pick Sekiro if you want:
  • A dark, atmospheric narrative you can piece together.
  • Themes of immortality, death, and supernatural elements.
  • A more minimalist approach to storytelling that rewards exploration and curiosity.

Ultimately, it comes down to whether you want an emotionally gripping epic or a cryptic, thought-provoking journey. Either way, you’re in for a storytelling experience you won’t forget.

What Kind of Combat Experience Do You Crave?

Gameplay is where Ghost of Tsushima and Sekiro truly go their separate ways. Both offer sword-fighting action, but the way they handle combat, exploration, and progression couldn’t be more different. Let’s dig into the details so you can decide which style speaks to you.

Ghost of Tsushima: Fluid, Cinematic Combat with Player Choice

In Ghost of Tsushima, combat feels like choreographed samurai action straight out of a Kurosawa film. You can approach battles in two distinct ways:

• Samurai Style: Face enemies head-on, using a mix of sword stances to counter different enemy types. The game rewards timing and patience, with perfectly timed parries and dodges giving you the upper hand.
• Ghost Style: Lean into stealth, using smoke bombs, kunai, and silent assassinations to pick off enemies one by one. This approach feels almost like a traditional stealth game, with plenty of tools to distract and dismantle foes without being seen.

The combat is accessible yet deep. As you progress, you unlock new abilities and stances, adding more layers to the combat without making it overwhelming. The freedom to switch between honorable samurai and shadowy assassin on the fly keeps things fresh, and you can tailor your approach to suit your mood or the situation.

Sekiro: Precision-Based, High-Skill Combat That Tests Your Reflexes

Sekiro, on the other hand, is all about precision and mastery. Every encounter feels like a deadly dance, where even basic enemies can cut you down if you’re careless. The game revolves around the Posture System, where the goal isn’t just to reduce an enemy’s health but to break their guard by perfectly deflecting their attacks.

Combat is intense, fast, and punishing — but incredibly rewarding. There are no RPG-style stats or levels to grind. Instead, your progress comes from pure skill development. Boss fights become exhilarating duels that test your patience, reflexes, and understanding of enemy patterns.

There’s little room for error, and the learning curve is steep, but overcoming a tough enemy after countless tries delivers an unmatched sense of accomplishment.

Exploration and World Interaction

• Ghost of Tsushima: A vast open world filled with side quests, hidden shrines, and collectibles. The game encourages exploration, with stunning landscapes guiding you to points of interest. It’s perfect for players who love getting lost in a beautiful world and uncovering secrets at their own pace.
• Sekiro: More linear, with interconnected areas that fold back on themselves in classic FromSoftware fashion. Exploration is more focused, with hidden pathways and shortcuts rewarding attentive players. There’s less freedom, but the world feels tightly designed and full of mystery.

Which Gameplay Style Suits You?

• Pick Ghost of Tsushima if you want:
  • A balance of action and stealth.
  • A more forgiving combat system with multiple playstyles.
  • A sprawling open world to explore at your leisure.
• Pick Sekiro if you want:
  • A high-skill, precision-based combat system.
  • Intense, high-stakes duels where every mistake matters.
  • A tightly designed world with rewarding exploration.

The combat and gameplay loop will shape your entire experience, so it comes down to what kind of challenge and pace you enjoy.

How Do You Want to Grow Your Character?

Progression plays a huge role in how these games keep you hooked. Whether you love building a character with unique skills and gear or prefer steady growth through pure player skill, Ghost of Tsushima and Sekiro approach progression in very different ways. Let’s break it down so you can decide what excites you more!

Ghost of Tsushima: Flexible Skill Trees and Gear Upgrades

In Ghost of Tsushima, progression feels like leveling up a warrior exactly how you envision them. You earn Technique Points through combat and exploration, which you can spend on skill trees that enhance Jin’s abilities:

• Samurai Techniques: Improve your swordplay, unlock new combat stances, and learn powerful combat skills.
• Ghost Techniques: Expand your stealth capabilities, gain new assassination moves, and unlock gadgets like smoke bombs and explosive arrows.
• Exploration Perks: Discover hidden locations more easily, enhance your senses, and interact more efficiently with the world.

On top of that, you can collect and upgrade armor sets that provide unique bonuses. Want to feel unstoppable in direct combat? Equip armor that boosts health and reduces damage. Prefer stealth? Choose lighter armor that silences your footsteps.

The flexibility lets you fine-tune Jin’s abilities to fit your preferred playstyle, whether you want to be a fearsome warrior or a deadly shadow in the night.

Sekiro: Steady Progress Through Skill, Not Stats

Progression in Sekiro is more about your growth as a player than buffing stats or collecting gear. While you do unlock new combat arts and shinobi tools, these upgrades enhance your options rather than making Wolf inherently stronger.

Key progression elements include:

• Skill Trees: You gain experience points to unlock skills, like new sword techniques, defensive maneuvers, and stealth enhancements.
• Prosthetic Tools: Discover and upgrade your mechanical arm with gadgets like shurikens, flame vents, and an axe that shatters enemy shields.
• Gourd Seeds & Prayer Beads: Increase your health and healing capacity by finding hidden items in the world.

The lack of traditional stats or RPG gear means your success depends on learning enemy patterns, refining your reflexes, and mastering the rhythm of combat. It’s a progression system that rewards perseverance and personal improvement.

Which Progression Style Feels More Rewarding?

• Pick Ghost of Tsushima if you want:
  • A more traditional RPG-style progression system.
  • The ability to shape your character through skill trees and gear.
  • Constant, tangible rewards for exploration and side quests.
• Pick Sekiro if you want:
  • Progression tied to player skill rather than character stats.
  • A stripped-down system that keeps the focus on pure combat mastery.
  • Gradual power growth through exploration and discovery.

Your progression style will shape your sense of growth and accomplishment.

What Kind of World Do You Want to Immerse Yourself In?

The world around you plays a massive role in shaping your experience. Do you want to roam freely through vast landscapes, stumbling upon hidden secrets? Or do you crave a tighter, more deliberate world design, filled with environmental storytelling? Let’s explore how Ghost of Tsushima and Sekiro craft their environments and atmospheres.

Ghost of Tsushima: A Lush, Expansive Open World

Ghost of Tsushima offers a sprawling, meticulously crafted open world inspired by feudal Japan. The island of Tsushima is a living, breathing landscape full of rolling hills, dense forests, tranquil shrines, and war-torn villages. Every environment feels like a work of art, with vibrant colors, dynamic weather, and breathtaking vistas.

• Guiding Wind System: Instead of traditional waypoints, you use the wind to guide you to points of interest, encouraging exploration without cluttering the screen.
• Diverse Biomes: Explore golden fields, snowy mountaintops, bamboo forests, and rugged coastlines, each area rich with unique flora and fauna.
• Organic Exploration: Foxes lead you to hidden shrines, birds guide you to secrets, and natural landmarks subtly steer you toward side quests and collectibles.

The world itself feels peaceful yet tragic, a constant reminder of the Mongol invasion’s destruction. You’ll stumble upon burnt villages, abandoned battlefields, and grieving survivors, adding emotional weight to your exploration.

Sekiro: Tight, Interconnected Level Design

Sekiro trades vast expanses for intricate, interconnected areas brimming with verticality and environmental storytelling. The game’s world is dense, with every location carefully designed to fold back on itself, revealing shortcuts and hidden paths for observant players.

• Vertical Exploration: Thanks to the grappling hook, you can scale rooftops, cliffs, and treetops, adding a sense of agility and freedom to exploration.
• Environmental Storytelling: The world tells its own dark tale through decaying temples, haunted forests, and desolate castles. Every environment is steeped in history and mystery, often hinting at the fate of its inhabitants.
• Seamless Progression: Areas connect naturally, creating a world that feels lived-in and cohesive. Unlocking a shortcut back to a previous area feels rewarding, reinforcing the sense of mastering your surroundings.

While Sekiro’s world is smaller in scale, it feels dense and rich with discovery. Secret rooms, hidden bosses, and lore-filled items make exploration deeply satisfying.

Which World Will Captivate You More?

• Pick Ghost of Tsushima if you want:
  • A massive, picturesque open world filled with side quests and collectibles.
  • A meditative exploration experience with plenty of freedom.
  • A landscape that blends beauty and sorrow, immersing you in feudal Japan.
• Pick Sekiro if you want:
  • A meticulously crafted, interconnected world.
  • Exploration that rewards curiosity and attention to detail.
  • A darker, more oppressive atmosphere that enhances the game’s themes.

The world design will shape how you experience the game’s story and pacing.

How Much of a Challenge Do You Want?

One of the biggest factors when choosing between Ghost of Tsushima and Sekiro is the difficulty. Are you looking for a game you can enjoy at your own pace, or do you crave a brutal challenge that tests your skills to the limit? Let’s break it down so you know exactly what to expect.

Ghost of Tsushima: Adjustable Difficulty and Forgiving Combat

Ghost of Tsushima offers a more flexible approach to difficulty, allowing players to tailor the experience to their preferences. You can choose from multiple difficulty settings:

• Easy: Focus on the story and exploration with lighter combat challenges.
• Normal: Balanced combat that offers a fair challenge without overwhelming you.
• Hard: More intense fights with enemies that hit harder and react faster.
• Lethal: One-hit kills (for both you and your enemies) that make every encounter a deadly duel.

If a fight feels too tough, you can lower the difficulty at any time — no judgment! The game’s combat also includes generous visual and audio cues, making it easier to react to enemy attacks. Plus, the ability to upgrade armor, weapons, and techniques adds layers of progression that can help you out of tough spots.

Sekiro: Relentless, No-Compromise Difficulty

Sekiro is notorious for its steep difficulty curve, and it doesn’t offer any traditional difficulty settings. The game expects you to master its mechanics, and the only way to progress is through patience, practice, and persistence.

Key difficulty factors include:

• No Stat-Based Progression: Your strength comes from your skill, not from leveling up.
• Punishing Death System: Dying reduces your experience and in-game currency, and frequent deaths spread a disease called Dragonrot to NPCs, locking out certain story events.
• Demanding Combat Mechanics: You’ll need to master deflections, dodges, and precise timing to survive even standard enemies — let alone the towering bosses.

That said, the game rewards you for sticking with it. Every victory feels earned, and the sense of accomplishment after beating a tough boss is unmatched. It’s a game that tests your limits but makes every hard-fought success feel like a personal triumph.

Accessibility Options: Who Can Play More Comfortably?

• Ghost of Tsushima: Includes several accessibility features like larger text options, colorblind modes, controller remapping, and simplified controls for specific actions. It also offers a Kurosawa mode (a black-and-white filter with film grain) for a more cinematic experience.
• Sekiro: Offers fewer accessibility features overall, though mods on PC can add custom difficulty options and tweaks. The lack of built-in settings makes it a tougher choice for players who need more adaptable gameplay.

Which Difficulty Style Suits You Best?

• Pick Ghost of Tsushima if you want:
  • Customizable difficulty settings.
  • A game you can enjoy even if you’re not a hardcore action player.
  • Forgiving combat mechanics and accessible features.
• Pick Sekiro if you want:
  • A brutally challenging, no-handholding experience.
  • A game where every victory feels like a true accomplishment.
  • Combat that rewards patience, precision, and relentless practice.

Difficulty can make or break your experience, so it’s worth considering how much of a challenge you’re looking for.

How Much Value Will You Get After the Credits Roll?

A game doesn’t have to end when you finish the main story. If you’re the type who loves squeezing every bit of content out of a game or diving back in for a fresh challenge, understanding the replayability factor is crucial. Let’s break down how Ghost of Tsushima and Sekiro hold up in the long run.

Ghost of Tsushima: Endless Exploration and Multiplayer Adventures

Ghost of Tsushima is packed with content beyond the main narrative. Whether you love uncovering every inch of the map or teaming up with friends, the game offers plenty of reasons to keep playing.

• Side Quests & Mythic Tales: Discover heartfelt side stories and legendary quests that deepen your connection to the island and its people.
• Collectibles & Exploration: Hunt down hidden shrines, fox dens, and artifacts that flesh out the world and reward your curiosity.
• New Game+ Mode: Replay the game with all your abilities and gear, facing tougher enemies for an added challenge.
• Legends Multiplayer Mode: A free co-op mode with unique classes, survival missions, and raids adds an entirely new dimension to the game.

With so much to see and do, Ghost of Tsushima feels like a living world that invites you back long after the main campaign is over.

Sekiro: Mastery Through Repetition and Multiple Endings

Sekiro takes a different approach to replayability. Rather than overwhelming you with extra content, the game challenges you to master its mechanics and explore multiple story paths.

• Skill Mastery: The game’s combat system is deep, and each encounter teaches you something new. Replaying helps you refine your skills and try new strategies.
• Multiple Endings: Your choices influence the story’s outcome, with several endings to unlock. Each playthrough can reveal new lore and narrative twists.
• Boss Rush Mode: Once you’ve beaten the game, you can face off against bosses in quick succession, testing your reflexes and tactics.
• No Hand-Holding: The open-ended exploration means you might miss things on your first run. Returning to the game can lead to surprising discoveries.

If you love a game that pushes you to improve and rewards perseverance, Sekiro delivers a deeply satisfying loop of trial, error, and eventual triumph.

Which Game Offers More Long-Term Enjoyment?

• Pick Ghost of Tsushima if you want:
  • A world full of side quests, collectibles, and hidden stories.
  • A multiplayer mode for cooperative fun.
  • A more relaxed form of replayability focused on exploration and narrative depth.
• Pick Sekiro if you want:
  • A game that tests and hones your skills with each playthrough.
  • The satisfaction of unlocking different endings and unraveling hidden lore.
  • A tighter, more focused experience built around combat mastery.

Both games offer compelling reasons to stick around, but your preference depends on what kind of replayability excites you most.

How Did Players and Critics Respond to Each Game?

Sometimes, the opinions of other players and industry experts can help you decide whether a game is right for you. Both Ghost of Tsushima and Sekiro earned critical acclaim, but for very different reasons. Let’s break down what made each game stand out and how the gaming community reacted to them.

Ghost of Tsushima: A Love Letter to Samurai Cinema

Ghost of Tsushima received widespread praise for its gorgeous open world, emotionally charged storytelling, and respectful portrayal of Japanese culture.

• Critical Acclaim: The game scored an 83/100 on Metacritic (source), with critics highlighting its world design and immersive atmosphere.
• Player Reviews: Fans loved the freedom to explore Tsushima, the heartfelt side stories, and the visceral yet accessible combat.
• Awards & Nominations: It won several Game of the Year awards and was celebrated for Best Art Direction and Best Narrative at The Game Awards 2020 (source).
• Cultural Impact: The game was so well-received in Japan that the real island of Tsushima made the developers permanent tourism ambassadors (source).

The general consensus? Ghost of Tsushima is a must-play for fans of open-world adventures and narrative-driven experiences.

Sekiro: A Masterclass in Precision and Challenge

Sekiro made waves for its brutally difficult combat and intricate level design, earning a reputation as one of the most rewarding (and punishing) action games ever made.

• Critical Acclaim: The game boasts a 90/100 on Metacritic (source), with reviewers praising its tight, skill-based gameplay.
• Player Reviews: While some players found the difficulty off-putting, many embraced the challenge and celebrated the game’s demanding combat system.
• Awards & Nominations: It won Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2019 (source), along with accolades for Best Action/Adventure and Best Game Direction.
• Community Legacy: Sekiro inspired countless discussions, tutorials, and challenge runs, with a dedicated fanbase that still debates boss strategies and hidden lore.

The takeaway? If you crave an intense, skill-focused experience that tests your patience and reflexes, Sekiro delivers in spades.

Which Game’s Reception Matters More to You?

• Pick Ghost of Tsushima if you want:
  • A universally beloved open-world epic with emotional storytelling.
  • A game that balances accessibility with depth.
  • A rich cultural experience celebrated by both critics and players.
• Pick Sekiro if you want:
  • A game that’s praised for its hardcore, no-compromise combat.
  • A rewarding experience for players who love mastering difficult systems.
  • A title that sparked a passionate, skill-driven community.

Both games made lasting impressions for different reasons — it all comes down to what kind of experience you want.

Which Game Is the Perfect Fit for You?

After exploring all the key aspects — from combat systems to storytelling and community reception — it comes down to what kind of experience you’re craving. Let’s break it down so you can make the best choice for your gaming style.

Choose Ghost of Tsushima If You Love:

• Exploration & Freedom: A vast, breathtaking open world filled with secrets, side quests, and dynamic environments.
• Emotional Storytelling: A narrative that tugs at your heart, with well-developed characters and cinematic storytelling.
• Flexible Combat: A combat system that lets you switch between stealth, swordplay, and strategic stances, giving you control over your playstyle.
• Cultural Immersion: A respectful, visually stunning depiction of feudal Japan, with historical influences and nods to samurai cinema.
• Co-op & Replayability: The Legends multiplayer mode adds cooperative missions and replay value beyond the main story.

If you want a beautiful, immersive world where you can lose yourself in exploration and become a legendary samurai, Ghost of Tsushima is calling your name.

Opt for Sekiro If You Want:

• Skill-Based Combat: A demanding, meticulously designed combat system that rewards precision, timing, and mastery.
• Challenging Gameplay: Boss fights and enemies that push you to your limits, with each victory feeling like a monumental achievement.
• Dark, Atmospheric Worldbuilding: A haunting, myth-inspired world with layered storytelling that encourages exploration and curiosity.
• Deep Lore & Multiple Endings: A story that unfolds subtly through environmental clues, item descriptions, and character interactions, with choices that impact the ending.
• Solo Mastery: A single-player journey that’s all about personal growth and perseverance, without relying on multiplayer or co-op crutches.

If you live for the thrill of overcoming brutal challenges and want a game that tests your reflexes, patience, and resolve, Sekiro is your arena.

Final Thoughts: Follow Your Gaming Instincts

Both Ghost of Tsushima and Sekiro are masterpieces in their own right, crafted with passion and precision. The right game for you depends on what excites you most: exploring a visually stunning world with a heartfelt story, or mastering a brutal combat system that pushes you to the edge.

Whichever game you choose, you’re in for an unforgettable adventure. So, trust your instincts, grab your controller, and prepare for an epic journey through ancient Japan — whether as the Ghost or the Wolf.