Mindful Games - Ghost of Tsushima (Patreon)

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjVJvEJsS8A

Most of the examples of mindfulness in Tsushima are so obvious, the game's influence on the subject speaks for itself. Even with just keeping the footage to the first part of the island, and the first chapter of the game (to avoid spoilers), I encountered multiple hot springs, shrines, and haiku locations. One of the reasons I love open-world games so much is you can typically experience them at whatever pace you prefer, but Tsushima frequently encourages you to take it slow and really think about what you're doing. This pertains to Jin's overall quest to win the war and liberate the island, but also to each combat encounter and character interaction. It's great to see an action game like this commit to such a calming mood of focused intent, even with so many tragic things happening all around. Day or night, you never have to go far in Tsushima to find a breathtaking view that begs to be appreciated with a gentle breath and a clear mind.

- Jones