As a longtime fan of Sucker Punch's samurai epic, I have spent an embarrassing number of hours wandering Tsushima's windswept fields, not because I needed to liberate another Mongol camp, but because I wanted to see what small, quiet surprise the island had tucked behind the next hill. In 2026, with the franchise now expanded by Ghost of Yotei, I still measure every open-world game against Ghost of Tsushima's side activities. That is not nostalgia talking. It is a design benchmark.
Ghost of Tsushima does not seem to have endless franchise potential when I look at how intimate its narrative is. The Mongol occupation of Tsushima is a mere backdrop to the main conflict, which is Jin Sakai and Lord Shimura's moral contrast. The canon ending is apparently the one where Jin spares Lord Shimura, edging further into his role as the Ghost. That choice suggests their relationship could be challenged again in a sequel. No direct sequel has been confirmed, but I still find it interesting to consider what else could be iterated upon.
What I love most is that Ghost of Tsushima proposes a wealth of exploration on a beautifully depicted Tsushima island, and that is where it thrives. There are plenty of side quest tales that let me learn more about NPCs and earn supplementary rewards. But the open world truly shines in its seemingly incidental activities. Because these rampant activities are so engaging, I think it would be difficult for a sequel to top them.
Here is how I break down the main open-world side activities and why they still stick with me:
| Activity | Reward | Why I still remember it |
|---|---|---|
| 🎋 Bamboo Strike | Increases maximum resolve | A quick QTE challenge that feels like a test of focus |
| 🦊 Fox Den | Leads to Inari Shrines with charm slots and upgradeable charms | I get to pet the fox, which is often better than the reward |
| ⛩️ Shinto Shrine | New charms | Entire platforming sequences along peaks |
| ✍️ Haiku | Cosmetic headbands | A quiet moment of contemplation |
| ♨️ Hot Spring | Increases maximum health | A reflective pause that also makes me stronger |
Some of these activities are much more involved than others. Shinto shrines, for example, allow for full platforming sequences along mountain peaks. Bamboo strikes engage me in a QTE challenge that tests my timing and resolve. Following foxes is fun if for no other reason than getting to pet them afterward. Honestly, that petting animation is often a better reward than charm slots and upgradeable charms themselves.
Moreover, all these activities are embedded in the open world in a way where I will always stumble upon them while traveling to other destinations. That encourages me to take a quick moment away from my primary goal and enjoy a reward for little effort. The fact that they are all fun and satisfying is a cherry on top. They are all different from one another as well, so I can easily go from one to another in succession if I wish.
Going for these activities early is also helpful for players who want easy buff increases. I can get a great head start on maximum health and resolve this way before I decide to raid Ghost of Tsushima's Mongol encampments. That early freedom changes how I approach the island. I feel less like I am grinding and more like I am discovering.
The Sequel Problem
It is always appreciated when new IPs throw in the kitchen sink because it shows commitment to ambition. But because of how many activities Ghost of Tsushima already has, a future sequel would need to be rather creative to come up with others that are equally engaging. That is the bar I keep coming back to in 2026.
It may ultimately come down to where the game takes place. Assuming it is still on the island of Tsushima as the game's name would suggest before a subtitle is introduced, the activities would need to fit that setting. If a potential sequel's open world is much different, and the game is more or less discovery-driven than Ghost of Tsushima, then that would have an impact on how many activities there may be. If certain features or mechanics are improved upon or changed, that would also require some attunement in activities that reward players.
Either way, Ghost of Tsushima's sequel has a high bar already set when it comes to its open-world exploration. I am excited to see if a sequel ever dares to match or exceed it. Ghost of Tsushima is available for PS4 and PS5. In 2026, that legacy still matters, and I still hope the next chapter remembers why these small detours worked so well.
I do not need every game to copy bamboo strikes or fox dens. I need developers to understand the feeling behind them. The feeling is simple: the world rewards curiosity without wasting my time. That is harder to design than it looks, and it is why Ghost of Tsushima remains one of my favorite open worlds to revisit.