How Ghost of Tsushima reprized Shadow of Mordors RPG Class Blend

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Important takeaways

  • Jin Sakai and Talion each represent a mix of rogue and ranger RPG classes, with sneak and ranged attacks.
  • Both characters fill the role of protectors in their respective worlds and seek revenge against those who threaten their lands.
  • Ghost of Tsushima arguably draws more parallels to Shadow of Mordor than Assassin's Creed, with similar gameplay elements and themes.



As a stealth-focused game, Sucker Punch's Ghost of Tsushima has often been compared to Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed series. However, this is most likely due to the nature of the household Assassin's Creed name and its role in helping to shape the stealth game genre over the previous decade Ghost of Tsushimas release. In reality, Ghost of Tsushimas gameplay and themes can be considered more similar to Monolith Productions Midgard series, which began with Shadow of Mordor in 2014. Coincidentally, Shadow of Mordor have also been compared to Assassin's Creedmaybe even more than Ghost of Tsushima.


Within the similarities that Ghost of Tsushima shares with Shadow of Mordor is a mix of RPG classes and thematic elements that standard RPGs might prefer to distance themselves from. Sure, despite having RPG features scattered throughout the game, Ghost of Tsushima and Shadow of Mordor are technically action-adventure games, not RPGs. Still, Ghost of Tsushima took Shadow of Mordors conglomerate of RPG classes and themes found in its protagonist, Talion, and then fleshed them out in the form of Jin Sakai, amidst a semi-historical recreation of feudal Japan, as opposed to a high-fantasy world where almost anything is possible.

Ghost of Yotei and Ghost of Tsushima with Shamisen and Flute

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Ghost of Yotei already looks to continue a fun tradition from Tsushima

Ghost of Yotei may break the mold in many ways, but it seems to have picked up a fun tradition from Ghost of Tsushima in the process.

Ghost of Tsushima's Jin Sakai is ultimately a retribution for Shadow of Mordor's Talion


Jin Sakai and Talion both consist of a mixture of RPG classes

There are many standard classes in the RPG genre – such as wizards and warriors – but Shadow of Mordor's Talion is a mix of two RPG classes that are generally different from each other. His ability to move silently and remain undetected before surprising his enemies ultimately comes from what would typically be defined as the rogue class in the RPG genre. But Talion can also eliminate enemies from afar with Azkar, his bow, making him what the RPG genre might call a ranger or hunter. Ghost of TsushimaJin Sakai Jin Sakai isn't much different, as he has similar skills and weapons at his disposal, making him the same mix of RPG classes.

Jin Sakai, aptly named the “Ghost of Tsushima”, specializes in using stealth to subdue his enemies, despite such methods being largely condemned by the shogun. Much like Talion, Jin uses tall grass and other large objects to stay hidden before grabbing his enemies and killing them silently. Jin can also use his bow largely to eliminate enemies from a distance, and he can even do so without ever getting caught.

As such, Jin fills the role of villain and ranger
Ghost of Tsushima
much like Talion does in
Shadow of Mordor
.


Jin Sakai and Talion both fill a similar role in their worlds

Jin Sakai also shares a certain thematic element with his Shadow of Mordor counterpart, in that the two are appointed to protect their lands from danger. Although the story of his quest largely revolves around avenging the murder of him and his family at the hands of Sauron's forces, his job before he was resurrected by the Wrath of Celebrimbor was to stand guard at the Black Gate of Mordor and protect Middle-earth from any threats that try to leave . Similarly, Jin Sakai inherits his role as protector of Tsushima Island after many of his people are killed by the Mongol invasion. His quest is also one of revenge, even though the uncle he spends most of the game trying to save is still alive.


Ghost of Tsushima and Shadow of Mordor can both be compared to Assassin's Creed sometimes, but they are undoubtedly more similar to each other than they are to the latter. Ghost of Tsushima successfully reevaluated Shadow of Mordor in the design and portrayal of its protagonist, Jin Sakai, by mixing two RPG classes and similar themes, though Jin and Talion are both notable in their own ways.

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