The release of Ghost of Tsushima and Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door on the same day showcased the different approaches of Sony and Nintendo in their exclusive games.
2020 was an interesting year for gaming, specifically because of how console gaming was evolving. The Nintendo Switch was enjoying its dominant run and follow-up, while PlayStation fans were gearing up for the PlayStation 5's launch.
One thing that stands out is that both Nintendo and Sony released an exclusive game, one being a new IP while the other being an established and well-loved franchise, on the same day. And yet, the reaction to both games was very different. One became the foundation for a brand-new PlayStation pillar, while the other reignited an argument that had been following one of Nintendo's longest-running RPG series for years.
Six years later, both games remain fascinating examples of how great reviews do not always tell the full story of a game's legacy. From the opening moments, I was drawn to the world of Sucker Punch's Japan and the story of Jin. Everything about the game felt cinematic, from exploration and its subtle visual cues of the Guiding Wind and landmarks to its challenging but fair combat.
But what makes it stand out is that it achieved this without taking control away from the player with endless tutorials and quest markers. Instead, the game follows samurai Jin Sakai during the Mongol invasion of Japan in 1274. Combat revolves around carefully timed sword duels, multiple combat stances tailored to different enemy types, stealth mechanics, and exploration across a massive open world.
Rather than relying heavily on waypoint markers, the game encourages players to navigate using nature itself, a design choice that quickly became one of its defining features. The game earned with an 83 Metascore while players embraced it even more enthusiastically. It became Sony's fastest-selling new PlayStation 4 IP at launch and finished July 2020 as the month's best-selling game in the United States, a feat it repeated when it eventually came to PC years later.
More importantly, it established a brand-new franchise for PlayStation, eventually leading to expansions and a sequel. Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, on the other hand, many fans had hoped the series would fully return to its classic RPG roots, myself included. Every new installment has been measured against the series' best entry, and fans have continually been disappointed that it has not reached the same level of depth and complexity as its predecessors.
The game introduced a clever ring-based battle system that combined puzzle solving with turn-based combat. Outside battles, the game showcased imaginative environments, memorable writing, and plenty of humor as Mario worked to stop King Olly's origami invasion. Exploration remained enjoyable throughout the adventure, with collectibles, environmental puzzles, and inventive boss encounters giving players reasons to search every corner of its paper-crafted world. Critics largely praised the experience, giving it an 80 Metascore, but player reactions proved far more divided.
Many appreciated its charming world, excellent soundtrack, and creative storytelling, while others continued to criticize the reduced RPG mechanics and experimental combat system. That divide has followed nearly every modern Paper Mario entry to experiment with new mechanics and artistic ideas rather than simply repeating past successes. Whether players loved or disliked those changes often depended on what they wanted the series to become, though I and many others long for the series to return to its roots.
Ghost of Tsushima has become one of Sony's greatest IPs, with both a released sequel and an upcoming live-action adaptation. Sucker Punch's pivot from the samurai genre to a fantasy setting, while Paper Mario's ongoing experimentation has shown the appeal of the original games. July 17th, 2020 was an interesting day for gamers regardless of which console they preferred
Please follow us on Google to support usGhost Of Tsushima Paper Mario Nintendo Sony Playstation Nintendo Switch
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News: You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Tributes paid to two fathers who died trying to save two young children in the seaIan Pascoe and Wayne Taylor died while trying to save two children who were in difficulty in the sea. Their heroic actions have been remembered by their families and the community.
Read more »
Air quality concerns from Canadian wildfires force rescheduling of two professional sports gamesCanada wildfires forced the postponement of a Chicago Fire MLS match and pushed the Phillies-Mets game up an hour amid unhealthy air Thursday.
Read more »
BCSC imposes temporary restrictions on two companies and two individualsVANCOUVER, BC, July 17, 2026 /CNW/ -- The Executive Director of the BC Securities Commission (BCSC) has imposed a temporary order against two B.C.
Read more »
Two Modern Sci-Fi Masterpieces: How The Hunger Games and Project Hail Mary Redefined the GenreAn in-depth look at two of the most impactful science fiction novels of the past two decades, Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games and Andy Weir's Project Hail Mary, exploring their literary merits, cultural influence, and successful transitions to film.
Read more »