As you may or may not know, Ghost of Tsushima is an open-world stealth action-adventure title set in the Sengoku period in Japan, and is heavily inspired by Kurosawa films.
Now, they easy thing to do would be to recommend Kurosawa films, however in my experience people, especially younger, don't like watching black and white films because they're black and white. So, instead I'll try to recommend a few newer, readily-available Samurai films as an appetiser for the game.
1. 13 Assassins (Dir Takashi Miike)
An absolute must-watch and the epitome of the Samurai movie, 13 Assassins is one Miike's best and centres around, well, 13 Assassins. It has some great action, and really emits that old-school Samurai feeling through and through. Not the most complex of the bunch, but definitely an entertaining one.
2. Hara-Kiri (Dir Takashi Miike)
And we're back with good ol' Miike, this time with Hara-Kiri, which, like 13 Assassins, is a remake of a film from the 60s, and yet it matches the original in quality. Hara-Kiri is far more character focused than 13 Assassins, and, despite having little action, is gut-wrentchingly intense. Hara-Kiri revovles around a Samurai visiting his daimyo (Fedual lord), asking for the favour of being able to do the titular suicide in his castle's yard. Most of the film takes place in flashbacks, as he explains why he wants to do this, and with each new revelation your blood will pump faster.
3. The Hidden Blade (Dir Yoji Yamada)
The Hidden Blade is considered to be one of 00 Japan's greats. Unlike Miikes films, Yamada's are very down to earth and focused exploring the society of the time period dealing with corrupt lords and struggling with Samurai morals. It's also light on action.
4. Zatoichi (Dir Takeshi Kitano)
Zatoichi from Beat Takeshi, who may recognise from Yakuza 6, directs and stars in this film as the titular blind swordsman. This Dramedy, in which Zatoichi deals with the yakuza, is strange and quirky, yet poignant . The less said the better. If the trailer doesn't sell you, no words will.
Now, they easy thing to do would be to recommend Kurosawa films, however in my experience people, especially younger, don't like watching black and white films because they're black and white. So, instead I'll try to recommend a few newer, readily-available Samurai films as an appetiser for the game.
1. 13 Assassins (Dir Takashi Miike)
An absolute must-watch and the epitome of the Samurai movie, 13 Assassins is one Miike's best and centres around, well, 13 Assassins. It has some great action, and really emits that old-school Samurai feeling through and through. Not the most complex of the bunch, but definitely an entertaining one.
2. Hara-Kiri (Dir Takashi Miike)
And we're back with good ol' Miike, this time with Hara-Kiri, which, like 13 Assassins, is a remake of a film from the 60s, and yet it matches the original in quality. Hara-Kiri is far more character focused than 13 Assassins, and, despite having little action, is gut-wrentchingly intense. Hara-Kiri revovles around a Samurai visiting his daimyo (Fedual lord), asking for the favour of being able to do the titular suicide in his castle's yard. Most of the film takes place in flashbacks, as he explains why he wants to do this, and with each new revelation your blood will pump faster.
3. The Hidden Blade (Dir Yoji Yamada)
The Hidden Blade is considered to be one of 00 Japan's greats. Unlike Miikes films, Yamada's are very down to earth and focused exploring the society of the time period dealing with corrupt lords and struggling with Samurai morals. It's also light on action.
4. Zatoichi (Dir Takeshi Kitano)
Zatoichi from Beat Takeshi, who may recognise from Yakuza 6, directs and stars in this film as the titular blind swordsman. This Dramedy, in which Zatoichi deals with the yakuza, is strange and quirky, yet poignant . The less said the better. If the trailer doesn't sell you, no words will.
