Skip to main content
Join The Community
- Join our community
11
Premium Benefits
24/7
Access Available
21K+
Active Members
Commenting
Join the discussion
Exclusive Articles Coming Soon
Member-only articles
Weekly Newsletters
Weekly gaming & entertainment news
Member Badges
Earn badges as you go
Exclusive Competitions
Members-only prize draws
Curated Deals Coming Soon
Tech and gaming deals worth grabbing
GET COMMUNITY ACCESS QUICK
For the quickest way to join, simply enter your email below and get access. We will send a confirmation and sign you up to our newsletter to keep you updated on all your gaming news.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
GET Community ACCESS QUICK

Join the GamesRadar community for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information, you confirm you are aged 16 or over, have read our Privacy Policy and agree to the Terms & Conditions. Geographical rules apply.

Background
Welcome to GamesRADAR+ Community !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Badge picture
Earn your first badge
Read 1 article to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Latest Games News

Latest Games News

Breaking gaming news and updates

Read Now
Latest Games Reviews

Latest Games Reviews

Expert verdicts on the newest releases

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membership benefits.

Explore
Member Exclusives

Stay Ahead with GamesRadar+

Get the biggest gaming news, reviews, and releases straight to your inbox.

Explore

Sign Out
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • Videos
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
    • G+RLS Podcast
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
  • Home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • View Video
    • Videos
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
    • G+RLS Podcast
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
Trending
  • Fall Preview
  • Join our monthly RPG Club
  • GTA 6
  • Game of the Week
  • G+RLS Podcast
  • Pre-order GTA 6
  • Countdown to GTA 6
  • Best gaming tech
  • Submit your clips. Win prizes
Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Want to add more newsletters?

GamesRadar+

Every Friday

GamesRadar+

Your weekly update on everything you could ever want to know about the games you already love, games we know you're going to love in the near future, and tales from the communities that surround them.

GTA 6 O'clock

Every Thursday

GTA 6 O'clock

Our special GTA 6 newsletter, with breaking news, insider info, and rumor analysis from the award-winning GTA 6 O'clock experts.

Knowledge

Every Friday

Knowledge

From the creators of Edge: A weekly videogame industry newsletter with analysis from expert writers, guidance from professionals, and insight into what's on the horizon.

The Setup

Every Thursday

The Setup

Hardware nerds unite, sign up to our free tech newsletter for a weekly digest of the hottest new tech, the latest gadgets on the test bench, and much more.

Switch 2 Spotlight

Every Wednesday

Switch 2 Spotlight

Sign up to our new Switch 2 newsletter, where we bring you the latest talking points on Nintendo's new console each week, bring you up to date on the news, and recommend what games to play.

The Watchlist

Every Saturday

The Watchlist

Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we've got you covered.

SFX

Once a month

SFX

Get sneak previews, exclusive competitions and details of special events each month!


Join the club

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
  1. Games
  2. Adventure Games
  3. Ghost of Tsushima

Ghost of Tsushima devs worked "nonstop for six years" to perfect combat system

News
By Alyssa Mercante
Published 17 March 2021

Sucker Punch co-founder Brian Fleming detailed the process during GDC Showcase

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Ghost of Tsushima
(Image credit: Sony)
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Subscribe to our newsletter

Ghost of Tsushima devs "worked nonstop for six years" in order to get the game's iconic combat system down, says Sucker Punch co-founder Brian Fleming as reported by IGN.

Ghost of Tsushima's unique blend of stealth combat and sword fighting duels makes for some incredibly varied gameplay. It's that system that lies at the center of the game, according to Fleming, and it wasn't easy for Sucker Punch to get it right.

While speaking at a virtual AMA session during the GDC Showcase, Fleming was asked which Ghost of Tsushima feature was the most difficult for the Sucker Punch team to work on. Fleming responded with, "“Easy answer and the answer is combat. The combat system was something that the team that worked on that — the handful of programmers and designers and animators — you know they worked nonstop for six years and built multiple versions of it with multiple approaches.”

Latest Videos FromGamesRadar+
Watch full video here:

Fleming goes on to say it was a "long, difficult road" that required the team to test the combat in every lighting and terrain situation, or whatever "strange mode the game might be in" as combat could break out anywhere on the map. Some of the game's most brilliant moments are beautiful combat set pieces, like the Duel Among the Spider Lilies, or the Duel Under Autumn Leaves. Fleming says, however, that perfecting a combat system that could look and feel good on any terrain and in any lighting was an "elusive, nonstop effort over literally a six-year journey continuing to work on that." It's no wonder Ghost of Tsushima shines - there's been more than half a decade of work put into it. 

Ghost of Tsushima devs to be honored as tourism ambassadors for real-life island.

You may like
  • Ghost of Yotei protagonist's eye seen through straw hat How a Ghost of Yotei developer spent years making his own hit Steam game at Sucker Punch
  • Ghost of Tsushima sequel Ghost of Yotei reveal trailer screenshot Fallout: New Vegas lead Josh Sawyer says Ghost of Tsushima and Yotei have "some of the best armor"
  • Illustration of Lunarium main character holding a longsword Sekiro's combat is a "remarkable refinement" of the Souls games, says dev of new action RPG

Ghost of Tsushima tips | Ghost of Tsushima map | Ghost of Tsushima best armor | Ghost of Tsushima best skills | Ghost of Tsushima best charms | Ghost of Tsushima Mythic Tales | How long is Ghost of Tsushima | Ghost of Tsushima Shinto Shrines | Ghost of Tsushima Bamboo Strikes | Ghost of Tsushima duels | Ghost of Tsushima Hot Springs | Ghost of Tsushima Fox Dens | Ghost of Tsushima Komatsu Forge | How to get the grappling hook in Ghost of Tsushima | Ghost of Tsushima horse | Ghost of Tsushima supplies | Ghost of Tsushima observe leader 

Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
CATEGORIES
PS5 PS4 Platforms PlayStation
Alyssa Mercante
Alyssa Mercante
Social Links Navigation
Former Features Writer

Alyssa Mercante used to be a features writer at GamesRadar+ and is now a freelance writer and editor. Prior to entering the industry, she got her Masters's degree in Modern and Contemporary Literature at Newcastle University with a dissertation focusing on contemporary indie games. She spends most of her time playing competitive shooters and in-depth RPGs and was recently on a PAX Panel about the best bars in video games. In her spare time Alyssa rescues cats, practices her Italian, and plays soccer.

Read more
Ghost of Yotei protagonist's eye seen through straw hat
Games How a Ghost of Yotei developer spent years making his own hit Steam game at Sucker Punch
 
 
Ghost of Tsushima sequel Ghost of Yotei reveal trailer screenshot
Open World Games Fallout: New Vegas lead Josh Sawyer says Ghost of Tsushima and Yotei have "some of the best armor"
 
 
Illustration of Lunarium main character holding a longsword
Action RPGs Sekiro's combat is a "remarkable refinement" of the Souls games, says dev of new action RPG
 
 
Fighting a large man with a knife in Stranger Than Heaven's Kure setting
Action RPGs I love Stranger Than Heaven's "more intuitive and rough" combat
 
 
Miyamoto Musashi clashes with Rasho-gan in Onimusha: Way of the Sword, cropped for a header image
Action Games I worried Onimusha: Way of the Sword would be too easy, then got my ass beat by a many-limbed demon
 
 
Onimusha: Way of the Sword gameplay showing the protagonist looking straight-on with a sword held to his right
Action RPGs Onimusha: Way of the Sword brings God of War's blockbuster action to horror-tinged feudal Japan
 
 
Latest in Adventure Games
Pokopia
Pokemon Pokemon just had its best ever year with $3.4 billion in net sales probably thanks to Pokopia
 
 
Pokemon TCG 30th Celebration products with a 'sold out' label over the top of them
Tabletop Gaming Pokemon Center cancels countless reseller orders, but TCG fans seem to have been burned as well
 
 
Screenshot of the start of a Pokemon Champions battle, two competing trainers are smiling and posing.
Pokemon Pokemon Champions lead wants to keep turn-based combat "forever, regardless of other" battle styles
 
 
Pokemon Twitch marathon
Pokemon With Pokemon Bank's demise on the horizon, one modder makes their own GBA-to-Switch trade adapter
 
 
About Fishing screenshots
Adventure Games I sucked at About Fishing, but the PS1-style mystery game had me feeling more chill than frustrated
 
 
Image of the Amazon Exclusive Pokemon: 24-Movie Collection with a yellow GamesRadar+ background.
Entertainment Viz Media is launching all 24 Pokemon movies into one Blu-ray collection shaped like a Poke Ball, but you'll need $400 to catch them all
 
 
Latest in News
Naruto in order: Naruto Uzumaki jumping in the air getting ready to punch something during the anime Naruto.
Anime Movies New animated Naruto movie may soon be announced ahead of Spider-Man: Brand New Day director's live-action movie
 
 
Spyro: A Realm Beyond
Platforming Games Spyro: A Realm Beyond devs tease an area that "captures the charm and wonder" of the sequel
 
 
Huntr/x in KPop Demon Hunters
Animated Movies Sony Pictures boss thinks KPop Demon Hunters wouldn't have worked as well in theaters
 
 
Tom Holland as Peter Parker in Spider-Man: Brand New Day
Marvel Movies Marvel had its biggest month ever on Disney Plus in August thanks to Spider-Man: Brand New Day and Avengers: Doomsday
 
 
Matt Damon as Odysseus in The Odyssey
Fantasy Movies Christopher Nolan put Matt Damon in the middle of a real stormy ocean to film a key scene in The Odyssey
 
 
Prince of Persia
Platforming Games Ubisoft answers our prayers of "a simpler launch experience on Steam" by phasing out its PC launcher
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Spyro: A Realm Beyond
    1
    Spyro: A Realm Beyond devs tease an area that "captures the charm and wonder" of the sequel
  2. 2
    Sony Pictures boss thinks KPop Demon Hunters wouldn't have worked as well in theaters
  3. 3
    Marvel had its biggest month ever on Disney Plus in August thanks to Spider-Man: Brand New Day and Avengers: Doomsday
  4. 4
    Retroid just said "hold my DS" to Anbernic and revealed a $149 Pocket Duo Lite
  5. 5
    Ex-PlayStation boss just as surprised as everyone else that Sony let Hideo Kojima's Physint go

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...