The Case for Ghost of Tsushima 2 to Introduce New Weapon Types

Highlights

• Ghost of Tsushima’s freedom allows players to choose between direct or stealth combat, making Jin’s weapon selection valuable.
• A sequel could introduce more weapons and playstyles, such as the naginata and kusarigama, to avoid repetition.
• The naginata and kusarigama could be included in Ghost of Tsushima 2 for their unique combat approaches.

Ghost of Tsushima doesn’t necessarily revolve around Jin Sakai’s arsenal of weapons, as it primarily tells the story of a samurai who is struggling to balance the traditions he was raised in with the need for much more extreme measures during desperate times. However, this is precisely where Ghost of Tsushima‘s sense of freedom comes into play, as players can generally choose between whether to deal with their enemies face-to-face or silently eliminate them. This, in addition to those moments in Ghost of Tsushima where players have no choice but to engage their foes directly, makes Jin’s selection of weapons all the more valuable.

Assuming Ghost of Tsushima 2 does eventually happen, it would be a perfect opportunity to introduce more weapons for Jin to use, as the first game’s selection was fairly limited for good reason. When considering Ghost of Tsushima‘s historical timeline, there are other weapons a sequel could utilize that would diversify Jin’s arsenal while simultaneously providing different playstyles for players to choose from. While there is little wrong with Ghost of Tsushima‘s combat, a sequel would nonetheless need to shake things up to avoid feeling too repetitive.

Weapons Ghost of Tsushima 2 Could Add to Jin’s Arsenal

In Ghost of Tsushima, Jin’s primary weapon for engaging his enemies directly is the Sakai Katana. While katanas are the most well-known traditional Japanese sword, interestingly enough, they were not produced until the Muromachi period, which didn’t begin until a little over 60 years after the Mongol invasion of Japan depicted in Ghost of Tsushima. Based on historical evidence, there is at least one other weapon that samurai are documented to have used during the Mongol invasion that Ghost of Tsushima 2 could incorporate to give Jin a different combat approach.

The Naginata Would Be the Most Logical Addition to Jin’s Arsenal in Ghost of Tsushima 2

Of all the weapons that could be included in Ghost of Tsushima 2, the naginata would be the most logical. During the historical Mongol invasion of Japan, the yumi and the naginata were the primary weapons used by samurai. The naginata is a long polearm that can be used to batter, stab, or hook enemies, but it has also been known to be used merely for its wide reach. The naginata’s reach and usage would undoubtedly provide players with a unique approach to combat in Ghost of Tsushima 2.

The Kusarigama Would Be One of Jin’s Most Distinct Weapons in Ghost of Tsushima 2

Though not developed until the Muromachi period, the kusarigama would be an excellent addition to Jin’s arsenal in Ghost of Tsushima 2. It certainly wouldn’t be historically accurate for the kusarigama to be featured in a Ghost of Tsushima sequel, but the katana isn’t either, and it still made the cut in the first game. Assuming Sucker Punch continues to bend the rules in Ghost of Tsushima 2, it could give Jin a kusarigama and provide players with one of the most distinct playstyles in Ghost of Tsushima history.

Historically, the kusarigama was essentially a Japanese sickle attached to a long metal chain. In attacking with it, the wielder swings the chain in a circle over their head and then throws it forward to disarm an enemy or immobilize them by wrapping it around their weapons or their legs, respectively. The user could then rush forward and use the blade part of the sickle to attack their foe.

The kusarigama is being featured as one of

Assassin’s Creed Shadows
‘ weapons
, which is also set in feudal Japan, so surely
Ghost of Tsushima 2
could get away with it as well.

It’s currently just as unclear whether Ghost of Tsushima 2 is in development as what new weapons it might introduce. However, the naginata and kusarigama seem like two reasonable options.