20. Mongol Invasion
The opening scene deserves to be watched 20 times over. In this scene, we witness the true savagery of the Mongols and set the tone for the rest of the story. Along with the reveal of Genghis Khans' grandson and giving a fantastic speech to start the invasion, this scene is a masterpiece.
19. Lord Shimuras Capture
This scene begins after Jin Sakai passes out after getting caught in an explosion, and we witness Lord Shimura the uncle of Jin and the Jito(leader) of all the clans have an interesting conversation with Kublai. When the conversation ends we witness Kublai grab a weapon and strike down Shimura. Leaving players wondering his fate and the camera cuts back to Jin as he clenches his fist. This scene just gives Jin his first reason to exact his revenge.
18. Introduction of Yuna
Yuna is an ally of Jin and at some point, they even hint that they could be more than friends. They meet by chance when she saves Jin from the battlefield, patches up his wounds and helps him locate his weapons. As they speak in this scene we witness the cunning and the willingness to do anything in order to beat the Mongols which will help Jin become who he is in the future. Without Yuna, there is no Ghost of Tsushima.
17. Flashback/Training
After Jin recovers his sword with the help of Yuna we see a memory of young Jin practicing in a field of spider lilies. Easily one of the most visually stunning moments of the game the colors pop and the sun is warm, it'll make you feel as if you’re there. Along with this beautiful scene, we learn that the sword he is practicing with is his late father's which he will inherit later on. After the tutorial ends he speaks with his uncle about the meaning of “Honor” This is very important because it is something Jin has difficulty with throughout the game causing him inner strife.
16. Fathers Death/ Legacy
This scene shows the Jin's father being murdered reaching out his bloody hand towards his son seemingly asking his son to save him. Young Jin watched from afar as he was paralyzed with fear he watched his father get cut down unable to even let out a scream fearing that he might lose his life next. With this scene coming after his defeat to Khotun Khan in their first duel we learn that this is the second time he has felt like he failed. His father's sword holds his clan's legacy as he must continue as the clan's sole survivor.
15. New beginnings
After his duel with the Khan, he washes up on a random shore and runs into Yuna once more. Where they discuss the future and how she only helped him so that Jin would help rescue her brother whom she claims is the best blacksmith on the island. They make a deal that her brother has to make anything he needs in order to rescue his uncle Kill the Khan and free his island from Mongol control.
14. Act 1
The opening scene of Act 1 is so beautiful I honestly don't know if there was a better feeling in this game than this moment. This scene takes place after Yuna and Jin part ways and agrees to meet up later to save her brother. As Jin rides through a field of white flowers the sun is shining so brightly it's as if you can feel the warmth through the screen. Honesty though this scene has no significance to the story and it's more like an interactive scene than a cutscene regardless of that it had to be included in this list due to the beauty of the scene.
13. Bending the Code
This scene is where we begin to see a shift from Jin to the Ghost of Tsushima this is where the mindset and realization of what he must do to defeat the Mongols begins to develop. In this game the honor code of samurai is more important than their own lives they believe that it should never be broken regardless of the reason. Yuna knows this and instead tells Jin to bend the code to obtain victory not break it.
12. True Samurai
This scene is beautiful as it is powerful as it takes place in a large yellow field on a sunny, windy day you can see how much detail they put into this scene and the facial expressions of the characters. After Jin bends the honor code to kill a Mongol soldier, we see another flashback of him and his uncle on a hunt when they are suddenly attacked by a thief lying in wait. After Lord Shimura subdues the attacker, he tells young Jin to kill the man, stating that men who sneak and hide to kill their enemies are cowardly. He also tells young Jin that samurai look their enemies in the eye when killing, thus making it more honorable.
11. Lady Masako
This scene takes place in a beautiful forest with bright orange leaves signifying the start of the autumn season. In this scene, Jin meets Lady Masako as he tries to acquire her help in rescuing Lord Shmura from the Khan. She then learns of her husband's death in the initial battle from Jin, as she tells him that her entire family was massacred while he was trying to save his uncle on his own. This scene is important because it shows how the Mongol invasion affected the whole island and not just the main character.
10. Masakos Rage
This scene is not the most visually appealing but I have it ranked this high due to the pain and frustration Lady Masako lets out on her opponent as blood flies everywhere. This scene takes place after Jin offers his help to Lady Masako in helping her find the ones responsible for her clan's massacre. As they find their first lead they end up interrogating a monk looking for any answers but with the monk being tight-lipped she loses control and lets her katana speak for him.
9. Komatsu Forge Defense
This scene deserves to be in the top 10 as it is visually stunning. We watch Jin fight to protect his allies. With the sun overtop in this desolate land it truly captures the suffering the island has endured. They then see for the first time the savagery that Jin has adopted from the Mongols and uses against them. This scene shows Jin committing more and more to doing whatever is necessary to defend his homeland, as he is no longer concerned with the honor code.
8. Broken Honor
This scene takes place in the cell where Lord Shimura is being held the lighting and facial expression of Lord Shimura as he hears the news of how his nephew has been fighting back. This scene is important because as the legend of the Ghost spreads across the island and Shimaura learns that it's his nephew he is in disbelief as he would never believe what the Khan says. After all, Samurai never break the code.
7. Ryuzo Duel
Considered one of the most visually pleasing duels that there is in the game as it takes place in a beautiful lake surrounded by lanterns overseen by a large tree with bright red vibrant leaves. This scene includes Jin and his childhood friend Ryuzo in this dialogue we learn that Ryuzo is betraying Jin for the bounty that was placed on Jin's head. Stating that he needs the money to support his troupe and feed his men, showing that there are no true allies in this world.
6. Open the Gate
This night scene is wonderful as the moon provides the light on this fateful night when the Khan visits Shimura castle preparing to attack. This scene is important because we see Ryuzo once more as he burns innocent civilians in front of the castle pleading them to open the gate. This shows how far Ryuzo is willing to go to secure the safety of his people.
5. Adoption
This scene is a beautiful moment between Jin and his uncle during the heat of battle atop a Hwacha tower with the sun shining brightly in the background. This moment is important because Lord Shimura doesn't blame Jin for what he did to save him from fighting against the Mongols. He begins to tell him that he plans to officially adopt him after the defeat of the Khan thus making Jin the successor and becoming the next Jito.
4. Death of Taka
Arguably one of the saddest scenes in this game, as it takes place in a fort. The scene begins after Jin and Taka fall for Ryuzos's trap causing them to be captured by the Khan. They are then questioned and Jin and Khotun have a conversation about loss. He then asks Jin to join him as he is inspired by his fighting spirit, but he refuses so Kublai cuts Taka free and tells him to kill Jin. Betrayal is a running theme in this game, is Taka next in this cycle?
3. Act of Terror
This scene takes place at Castle Shimura as they begin their assault to take back the clans' castle. This scene shows Jin fighting as savagely and brutally as he has to defeat the Mongols, Lord Shimura sees this for the first time and lashes out at Jin. This shows that Shimura truly didn't believe what the Khan and the legends about the Ghost told him. After seeing this is obvious the pain that it caused Shimura with how he scolded Jin in disapproval of who he become.
2. Renounce Ghost
After the battle at Castle Shimura Jin and his uncle once again speak on the newly gained fighting style Jin has developed. As he is disappointed in who his nephew has become he begins to threaten to revoke his adoption and tell him to revoke “Ghost” and come back to the way of the samurai. This scene is powerful as it shows how far the samurai are willing to go to be seen as honorable and that there are no exceptions or excuses allowed. Thus leading to his imprisonment.
Honorable Mention:
Duel with Lord Shimura
This scene comes after they've defeated the Mongols and the Khan is dead. However, there is still one thing that Lord Shimura must do since Jin broke the samurai code in so many ways. He challenges him to a duel and gives him a chance to fight for his life even though he's already been stripped of his titles and clan name. What I believe to be the saddest moment in the game as two loved ones are faced with fighting to the death.
1.) Escape
With the help of his allies, Jin breaks out of the cell that his uncle put him in so that he can kill the Khan. Because he doesn't follow the traditional samurai way, he is unpredictable and the only one who can face the Khan head-on. He escapes and rides until his horse collapses signifying that he is hurt and broken and even caused his trusty horse which was with him since the beginning of the game. But he can’t stop. If he does then the Mongols will never be defeated.
Also Read:
- [Top 7] Ghost of Tsushima Best Armor For Duels
- [Top 10] Ghost of Tsushima Best Builds That Are Powerful
