AAA combat design: Ghost of Tsushima
As impressive as Ghost of Tsushima is with its innovative UX design, thematic beauty, and art direction, the heart of any samurai game lies in its combat system. Luckily, Ghost of Tsushima masterfully delivers a visceral and immersive samurai experience. Let's break it down.
As you step into Jin's sandals, you're initially armed with basic light and heavy attacks, but this simplicity belies the intricate dance of death that awaits.The heart of the combat lies in the stance system.
As you face diverse enemies - from nimble swordsmen to hulking brutes - you must fluidly shift between four distinct stances. Each stance transforms Jin's katana grip and attack patterns, creating a dynamic flow of combat that keeps you constantly engaged. It's a delicate balance of strategy and reflexes, as you read the battlefield and adapt your approach in split seconds.
The thrill of combat is heightened by the game's emphasis on group encounters. You're rarely facing a single foe; instead, you find yourself surrounded, your senses heightened as you parry, dodge, and strike.
Freeflow Combat MECHANICS
The freeflow brawler combat mechanics popularised by the Arkham games introduced a fluid, rhythmic system combining simple controls with complex choreography, revolutionising action game design. This approach used intuitive counter systems, responsive animations, and context-sensitive strikes to create a seamless and satisfying flow. The focus on timing over button mashing made combat accessible while rewarding mastery. This system has heavily influenced modern games like Spider-Man and the Shadow of Mordor series, which adopted its principles of free-flow combat to enhance player agency and immersion. The Arkham formula set a new standard for melee combat, blending cinematic flair with player responsiveness.
Reading the Battlefield Amidst Chaos
Ghost of Tsushima's combat system shines when it makes you read the enemy instead of trying to button mash your way through battles. You will find yourself surrounded while archers are raining arrows down upon you.
In these moments, players must:
Rapidly assess the immediate threats and prioritize targets
Switch between stances fluidly to counter different enemy types
Keep an eye on incoming arrows, which often require well-timed dodges
Utilize the environment for cover or tactical advantage
Manage your resolve to ensure you have healing options available
The game's combat design makes you think on your toes and encourages you to remain mobile, constantly repositioning to avoid being overwhelmed. You might use a quick burst of speed to close the distance on an archer, eliminating the ranged threat before pivoting to deal with the melee attackers at your back.
Layered Complexity
The game introduces players to basic light and heavy attacks, gradually expanding the combat repertoire to include stances, parrying, and dodging. This progressive complexity mimics the journey of mastering a martial art, with each new element building upon the last.
Stance System
The combat revolves around four distinct stances, each tailored to counter specific enemy types:
Stone stance for sword-wielders
Water stance for shield-bearers
Wind stance for spear-users
Moon stance for larger, more formidable opponents
Players must swiftly alternate between these stances to effectively combat diverse enemy groups.
Enemy AI and Design
Ghost of Tsushima presents a diverse array of enemy types, each with unique fighting styles. The AI coordinates attacks and can change their weapons mid-fight to push the player to constantly adapt their tactics. As players progress, more challenging enemy variants are introduced, scaling the difficulty to match the player's growing skills.
Dynamic Combat Flow
The combat system is fast-paced and fluid, requiring players to constantly switch stances, parry attacks, and dodge unblockable moves. This creates an exhilarating and challenging experience that keeps players fully engaged.
Progression and Customization
The game incorporates skill trees, upgradeable weapons, and charms, allowing players to customize their combat style and steadily increase their capabilities throughout the game.
Standoffs: A Cinematic Duel
Standoffs in Ghost of Tsushima are a unique combat mechanic that pays homage to classic samurai films. This feature allows players to initiate combat with a dramatic one-on-one duel, reminiscent of iconic showdowns in movies like Akira Kurosawa's "Seven Samurai" or "Yojimbo."When approaching a group of enemies, players have the option to trigger a standoff. Jin and an enemy face each other, weapons at the ready, in a tense standoff. The mechanics are simple yet nerve-wracking: players must hold the triangle button and release it at the precise moment the enemy attacks. A successful timing results in a cinematic, one-hit kill.Standoffs serve multiple purposes in the game:
They provide a stylish and satisfying way to begin combat encounters.
Successful standoffs refill 3-4 resolve charges, rewarding players for taking the honorable approach.
As players progress, they can unlock skills to chain multiple standoffs, potentially eliminating several enemies before the main battle begins.
The influence of samurai cinema is evident in the visual presentation of standoffs. The camera angles, the tension-building pause, and the swift, decisive strike all evoke the atmosphere of classic samurai duels, immersing players in the role of a skilled warrior.
The Resolve System: A Resource for Survival and Power
The resolve system in Ghost of Tsushima is a clever approach to healing and special abilities that encourages aggressive play and tactical decision-making. Resolve is represented by golden circles above the health bar, starting with three and potentially increasing as the player progresses.Key aspects of the resolve system include:
Healing: Players can use resolve to heal Jin, providing a limited but renewable health resource.
Special Attacks: Powerful abilities like the Heavenly Strike or Dance of Wrath consume resolve charges.
Regeneration: Resolve can be regained through various combat actions:
Successful parries
Perfect dodges
Standoff victories
Taking damage (in smaller amounts)
The system creates a dynamic where players must balance their need for healing with the desire to use powerful attacks. It rewards skillful play by replenishing resolve for well-executed defensive maneuvers, encouraging players to engage actively in combat rather than play passively.
As players progress, they can unlock skills and obtain gear that enhance resolve generation or reduce the cost of certain abilities. This progression allows for more frequent use of special moves and healing, but still maintains the core risk-reward balance of the system.
The resolve system adds depth to the combat, forcing players to make strategic decisions about when to heal and when to unleash powerful attacks. It creates moments of tension where players must choose between restoring health or delivering a potentially fight-ending special move, adding another layer of engagement to Ghost of Tsushima's already rich combat experience.
My ideas for Potential Enhancements
While the combat system is already robust, there are areas where it could be further refined:
Stance Fluidity: Implement combo chains that transition seamlessly between stances.
Advanced Enemy AI: Develop enemies that adapt to the player's preferred combat style.
Expanded Mythic Abilities: Introduce stance-specific or combination Mythic moves.
Environmental Combat: Incorporate terrain-based tactical advantages.
Deeper Customization: Expand the charm and gear system for more specialized builds.
Advanced Parry System: Implement a more nuanced parry system with timing-based rewards.
Evolving Enemy Types: Introduce enemies that gain new abilities as the game progresses.
Dual-Wielding Options: Add the ability to dual-wield weapons in certain stances.
Dynamic Weather Effects: Integrate weather conditions into combat mechanics for additional tactical considerations.
In conclusion, Ghost of Tsushima's combat system exemplifies a masterful balance of accessibility and depth, offering an initially challenging but ultimately rewarding experience for players.