The wind as your compass is such a simple brilliant idea. No minimap clutter, just follow the wind and the game guides you naturally. Leaves blowing everywhere, gorgeous vistas, and combat that rewards patience over button mashing.
The parry timing feels great once it clicks. Stance swapping adds tactical depth without drowning you in menus, and duels are intense and readable. You can see what the opponent is about to do if you pay attention. Crowd fights are about spacing and picking the right stance for each enemy type. Standoffs never got old for me - simple risk and reward that perfectly captures the samurai fantasy. The mythic techniques you unlock add style without breaking the game.
The stealth is solid but nothing groundbreaking. Detection works fine, and tools do what you expect. It’s a viable alternative to direct combat but not the star of the show. Enemy variety builds nicely through the midgame though late game camps start feeling familiar. The skill tree is generous but honestly feels a bit bloated - the core upgrades matter most.
Jin’s arc about honor versus survival is clear even if it’s not subtle. The supporting cast brings grounded subplots - Shimura, Yuna, Norio, Ishikawa all have their moments. Side tales range from simple errands to genuinely poignant beats. The better ones complicate Jin’s choices instead of just celebrating him, and the ending lands thematically even though you can see some beats coming.
The island itself is the real star. The wind guidance keeps you immersed instead of staring at a HUD, and different biomes transition smoothly. Riding through them at different times of day never stopped being beautiful. The particle effects make traversal feel painterly - leaves, grass, rain, all of it. Photo mode is dangerously good. I lost hours just setting up shots. Kurosawa mode is a classy touch that fits the tone perfectly.
Confident samurai epic that knows what it wants to be. You don’t need to clear every camp but the core experience is cohesive. Rare open world game that actually encourages you to slow down between the action.