Ghost of Tsushima is one of the biggest and most aesthetically pleasing first-party games operating under the PlayStation Studios banner to be released. The developers of Sucker Punch Productions took their time with this massive undertaking, and the final product was worth it. Fans were immediately enamored with the intense combat and the high stakes of the narrative, as Jin Sakai must fight without honor to retake his homeland from Monggol invaders.
The Ghost was a title given to the lone samurai as he fought to save his people from the invaders. Jin needs to look at the part of a warrior that strikes fear into the hearts of his enemies, and the developers gave him an extensive wardrobe, some of which were inspired by other great gaming franchises.
Jin Sakai Can Find the Yharnam Helm and Vestments in Ghost of Tsushima
The Ghost has a reputation for butchering his enemies and striking fear into the hearts of survivors to warn the Monggol invaders of what’s coming to them. Jin resorted to far bloodier and inhumane methods that he did not learn from his uncle, a man of honor, who drove a wedge between him and his family. Throughout the campaign of the base game of Ghost of Tsushima, Jin can discover and unlock rare items like older armor pieces with great perks and benefits. Some fans got creative and envisioned the Ghost wearing the armor of Sun Wukong from Black Myth: Wukong, which would have been a great easter egg.
Easter eggs and references are small but intimate ways for game developers to show how much they value other franchises that somehow influenced their work. Sucker Punch Productions wanted to honor the Bloodborne franchise by embedding a secret armor set called the Yharnam Helm and Vestments in the Iki Island expansion. Players must venture westwards of the island, find the Blood-Stained shrine at Gonoura Cape, and then solve a puzzle. The puzzle can be straightforward; however, some players might get confused or lost in translation and may not have the necessary equipment like the Kensei Armor.
Players must equip the Kensei Armor, which can be obtained from the base game and has plenty of great perks and benefits, such as greater gains for resolve, a requirement for Jin to self-heal. Players must scale up the rocks then jump to inflict self-harm and heal with resolve where a short cutscene will start. It is a simple puzzle, but the Ghost goes to extreme lengths to get this cosmetic piece inspired by Bloodborne. Other first-party titles like Astro Bot similarly honored the forgotten franchise through cosmetic items.
The Dream of a Bloodborne Sequel Lives in Other Great First-Party PlayStation Titles
The gaming community has been vocal about their interest in seeing a sequel or even a simple remaster for the PlayStation 5. Some fans would argue that an enhanced version of Bloodborne would have made the PlayStation 5 Pro a system seller and squashed all the qualms about getting the expensive gaming console. Director Hidetaka Miyazaki expressed interest in returning to the franchise and expanding the lore; unfortunately, it is not for him to decide nor FromSoftware.
Other game developers like Sucker Punch Productions and Team ASOBI took the opportunity to honor the franchise in simple ways like easter eggs and cosmetic items. Perhaps Sony Interactive Entertainment will have a change of heart and consider giving the franchise a second chance, especially after one of the two newly appointed CEOs, Hideaki Nishino, revealed he played the game and became a fan.
Director Hidetaka Miyazaki holds Bloodborne close to his chest because he imparted most of his original ideas and concepts to the game. The success of that Soulslike entry has set the gold standard of a great Soulslike game.
Sucker Punch Productions went above and beyond with the Iki Island story expansion and saw the opportunity to honor other franchises. Bloodborne may not be getting a sequel or remaster from Sony any time soon; however, it is worth noting that other game developers are equally interested in seeing the franchise receive the recognition it deserves.
Have you unlocked the Yharnam Helm and Vestments in Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut? Let us know in the comments section below!
