Hey everyone! As a huge fan of Ghost of Tsushima, I recently dove into the Iki Island expansion and wanted to share my personal experience navigating this challenging new content. Let me walk you through everything from when to start to what makes this expansion so special!
When Should You Actually Start Iki Island?
Honestly, I made the mistake of rushing into Iki Island too early and got absolutely wrecked! The expansion becomes available during Act Two, but here's my hard-earned advice:
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Wait until you've unlocked all stances - especially that game-changing Ghost Stance from the Ghost of Yarikawa mission
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Seriously consider finishing the main game first - Iki Island is no joke difficulty-wise
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The more upgrades you have, the less frustrating your experience will be
I learned the hard way that those Mongols on Iki Island hit different - they're tougher, smarter, and those new enemy types will test everything you've learned.
Finding the Starting Point
The game makes it pretty straightforward to find where to begin. There's a clear marker on your map west of Akashima village and north of Castle Kaneda. What's cool is you can also start it directly from the Journal tab in your pause menu - super convenient when you're ready to dive in!
When I arrived, I met this desperate man who basically dragged me into his nightmare. His village had been attacked, and people were going insane left and right. The atmosphere instantly had me hooked - it felt darker and more mysterious than the main game.
The Investigation Begins
The investigation mechanics here are similar to what we're used to, but with a creepier vibe. You'll need to:
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Follow the magnifying glass indicators
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Examine objects of interest
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Piece together what happened to these poor villagers
What really got me was the emotional weight - discovering Jin's personal connection to Iki Island through his father's history added so much depth to the story.
That First Major Battle - OOF!
Okay, let me talk about the combat introduction because WOW. The Mongols attack again, but this time they brought friends:
| Enemy Type | Why They're Trouble | My Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| Shaman | Buffs other enemies | KILL FIRST! |
| New Mongol variants | More aggressive | Use Ghost weapons |
| Archer groups | Better positioning | Smoke bombs are life |
The Shaman is public enemy number one - his chants make everyone else hit harder and tank more damage. I cannot stress enough: take out the Shaman immediately or you're in for a world of pain.
The Big Reveal and Journey Ahead
After surviving that intense battle, the story takes a personal turn. Discovering that these Mongols came from Iki Island - the place where Jin's father died - hits hard. Jin's decision to go there feels weighty and personal, not just another mission.
What I really appreciated was the game's transparency about the difficulty spike. When you reach the boatman ready to take you to Iki Island, the game straight-up warns you:
"This content is more challenging than the main game"
And the best part? You can fast travel back to Tsushima anytime if you need to level up more or just take a break from getting your butt kicked.
Final Thoughts Before You Sail
Iki Island isn't just more Ghost of Tsushima - it's Ghost of Tsushima turned up to eleven. The combat is fiercer, the story is more personal, and the atmosphere is hauntingly beautiful.
My biggest takeaways for fellow travelers:
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Don't rush in underprepared
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Embrace the challenge - it's worth it
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The story connections to Jin's past are incredibly satisfying
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Those new enemy types will actually make you a better player
Whether you're a seasoned ghost or still finding your way, Iki Island offers an experience that truly expands on everything that made the base game great. Just... maybe pack some extra healing items, yeah?
What was your Iki Island experience like? Did you struggle as much as I did at first? Let me know in the comments!
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