Ghost of Tsushima's Cut Content Explained

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Summary

  • Jin's backstory had major cuts, changing a major plot point.

  • Ryuzo's background was also affected by cut content.

  • A location called “Otsuna Grasslands” was scrapped pre-release.

When Ghost of Tsushima launched in 2020, it didn't take long for it to become one of the most memorable titles released in the modern era of gaming. But despite its most notable qualities – such as its breathtaking scenery and compelling story – not all ideas came through Ghost of Tsushimas development made it to the final release.

Then Ghost of Tsushima is literally named after its protagonist, Jin Sakai, the game's story naturally revolves around the character. That's what makes a major cut to his backstory so significant, as it changes one of the story's biggest plot points. This, apart from even more cuts for Ryuzo and a scrapped location, covers the biggest parts of Ghost of Tsushima which never made it beyond the cutting room floor.

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What to expect from Ghost of Yotei 2025

Ghost of Yotei is officially slated for a 2025 release, and fans can expect a brand new story with a new main character, as well as gameplay updates.

All cut from Ghost of Tsushima

Much of Jin's backstory was cut from the game

Jin Sakai, Ghost of Tsushimas protagonist, is a compelling character for a number of reasons, but many of those reasons revolve around his background and motivations. Jin was born into the Sakai clan, a prestigious samurai family on Tsushima Island, with his father, Kazumasa Sakai, as the clan leader. When Jin was a child, his father was killed right in front of him, leaving him deeply scarred and burdened with guilt throughout his life, as he believes he should have been able to protect his father. After his father's death, Jin was raised by his uncle, Lord Shimura, the governor of the island of Tsushima. Lord Shimura then trained Jin in the ways of the samurai, emphasizing honor and discipline, which ultimately plays a large role in Jin's transformation into the Ghost of Tsushima.

Apparently, as if Jin's backstory wasn't already dark and tragic enough, more of the beloved protagonist's story was cut before Ghost of Tsushimas release. In some restored dialogue sounds for Ghost of TsushimaJin can be heard telling sick stories about his father to Yuna, who comments on Jin's scars. Jin then explains where the scars came from, and the story behind them actually arguably lessens the tragedy of his father's death, which the game relied heavily on for its story. In his conversation with Yuna, Jin explains:

“When that would happen to me, I would take a bokken and hide in the forest, chop bamboo and pretend it was my father. When I was a child, I once spied my father dressing for battle. I watched He put on this mask and I ran in terror because my father disappeared in his place he was the one who killed men on the battlefield – the one who hurt me at home.

In more clipped dialogue, Yuriko explains to Jin that she understands the pain his father put him through and that he “knew how to train warriors, but he never learned how to raise a son.” She explains to Jin that since his father was a “hero to many people”, the truth about his treatment of Jin could not be revealed to the public, lest it destroy any hope the people had once placed in Kazumasa. Even more cut dialogue between Jin and Yuriko has Jin explain his desire to be free from his father and how his scars are “proof” of his father's love. Yuriko then tells Jin that his father was happy the day Jin was born, and that she hoped Jin's birth would change Kazumasa.

More cut Ghost of Tsushima the dialogue features a conversation between Ryuzo and Jin, in which Ryuzo comments on Jin's aggression, to which Jin replies, “It wasn't about you. I was fighting someone else.”

Some of Ryuzo's backstory was also cut from the game

Jin's backstory in Ghost of Tsushima wasn't the only one affected by cuts, as more scrapped audio reveals a layer of Ryuzo's background as well. In the cut dialogue, Jin asks Ryuzo if he's ever wondered what became of his family. Ryuzo replies, “I was just a kid. There's no answer in the world that would make sense.” Then, when Jin asks if Ryuzo wants to know why his family left him, he replies, “These people are not my family. I'm going with mine!” Jin then tries to comfort Ryuzo by telling him that he will become a samurai one day, be able to fill a home with a family and “grow old, lazy and fat”.

One location scrapped before release

One last bit of Ghost of Tsushima cut content involves a location called “Otsuna Grasslands”, although it may well be that the location was simply renamed or changed, rather than removed entirely. Otsuna Grasslands was originally featured in the E3 2018 game reveal for Ghost of Tsushima as a place on Tsushima Island. In the game, Otsuna is a prefecture within the Toyotama region, between Izuhara and Kamiagata, so the Otsuna grasslands would have been found somewhere around there. However, the location was ultimately cut before the game's release, although it is possible that Kushi Grasslands replaced it.

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