Ghost of Tsushima, one of the most commercially and critically successful PlayStation-exclusive titles for the PS4 and PS5 generation, will soon have an all-new DLC expansion for players to play and explore. The DLC is centered on a new region called Iki Island, and the game's developers are beginning to reveal additional details about what players can expect from the new content.
Sucker Punch Productions' acclaimed RPG recently celebrated its one year anniversary. Players first dove into the beautiful Tsushima Island landscape as samurai Jin Sakai in the fight against the invading Mongols July 17, nearly a year to-the-day the game's expansion was announced. After swirling rumors of a standalone sequel, Ghost of Tsushima: Director's Cut was confirmed, centered around the mysterious Iki Island.
RELATED: Sucker Punch Shares Ghost of Tsushima Statistics for Game's 1st Anniversary
In a recent interview with online publication Press Start, Ghost of Tsushima: Director's Cut Senior Staff Writer Patrick Downs and Art Director Jason Connell divulged some new details on the new features coming with the new expansion. The pair touch on many different aspects of the DLC, but perhaps one of the most significant is the addition of horse armor. Seen in the Iki Island expansion trailer, players can now reinforce their steed with some well-deserved armor plating. The armor enables a new ability as well, called Horse Charge. Horse Charge is an ability that "scatters guys out of the way" and gives riding horseback through an area an entirely new use.
The developers do say they have "a number of things that we're not talking about" in terms of equipment and abilities as of yet, indicating some DLC aspects may have to be organically discovered by players. However, there is plenty of other info that they did reveal, namely of the overarching intent of Iki Island's contrasting aspects to Tsushima. Players who've been following news of the expansion are aware of the new main villain, The Eagle, but the cryptic antagonist is indicative of the overall environment. Iki Island serves as a direct counterpoint to Tsushima, a new ivy-covered biome, haven to pirates, smugglers, and raiders.
These criminals are vastly different than the denizens of Tsushima, and staunch supporters of The Eagle, meaning Jin will have a new batch of enemies and types of enemies to fight against. Iki Island will only be accessible at the end of Act One, which is also reportedly how long the DLC will take to complete. Players will be able to freely travel to and from the island, but only after a certain point of progression. However, one of the most popular details to have been revealed is the ability to tame cats, deer, and other animals. Expanding on the fan-favorite fox-petting mechanic, Jin will be able to visit animal sanctuaries and interact with local Iki wildlife, including wild cats, deer, and even monkeys.
Ghost of Tsushima: Director's Cut launches in just a few weeks, meaning players won't have to wait long before they venture out to Iki Island and encounter The Eagle. They may want to clear some hard drive space however, considering Ghost of Tsushima: Director's Cut's big file size.
Ghost of Tsushima: Director's Cut launches August 20 for PS4 and PS5.
MORE: Everything You Need to Know Before Ghost of Tsushima Director's Cut
Source: Press Start