Ghost Of Tsushima: Free DLC Explained

Nick Leason

-Oct 29, 2025

The critically acclaimed open-world samurai adventure, Ghost of Tsushima, developed by Sucker Punch Productions, has offered players significant post-launch content, much of it completely free. This DLC expands the game world and introduces new gameplay mechanics, modes, and narrative elements, allowing players to further immerse themselves in the rich world of feudal Japan. This article delves into what constitutes the free DLC for Ghost of Tsushima, why it was released, how it enhances the player experience, and what players can expect when diving into these additional offerings.

Key Takeaways

Ghost of Tsushima's free DLC includes the Iki Island expansion and the Legends multiplayer mode.
Iki Island adds a substantial new area, story, and enemy types to the single-player campaign.
Legends offers cooperative and competitive multiplayer experiences with new classes and challenges.
These free additions significantly enhance the game's value and longevity.
DLC content is integrated seamlessly into the existing game, providing a cohesive experience.

Introduction to Ghost of Tsushima's Free DLC

When Ghost of Tsushima launched in July 2020, it was lauded for its stunning visuals, engaging combat, and compelling narrative. Sucker Punch Productions didn't stop there, continuing to support the game with substantial updates and additions. The most significant of these have been provided to players at no extra cost, making Ghost of Tsushima a prime example of excellent post-launch support. This free DLC primarily encompasses the Ghost of Tsushima: Director's Cut enhancements, including the Iki Island expansion, and the separate Ghost of Tsushima: Legends multiplayer mode.

These free additions were developed to extend the lifespan of the game, offer new challenges to existing players, and attract new audiences by providing more content. The Iki Island expansion, in particular, offers a continuation of Jin Sakai's journey, delving deeper into his past and motivations. Legends, on the other hand, transforms the single-player experience into a cooperative and competitive online adventure. Understanding what these free DLCs entail is crucial for any player looking to get the most out of their Ghost of Tsushima experience. — Harrisonburg, VA: Postal Code Guide

What is the Ghost of Tsushima Free DLC?

The term "free DLC" for Ghost of Tsushima primarily refers to two major components: — Nassau Weather In April: What To Expect

The Iki Island Expansion (Included in Director's Cut): While the Director's Cut itself is a paid upgrade for those who own the original PS4 version, the content that comes with it—specifically the Iki Island expansion—represents a significant amount of new gameplay and story that was effectively a free addition for new purchasers of the Director's Cut and a paid upgrade for existing owners. For the purposes of this discussion on free content, it's important to distinguish that the original game's updates often included free additions that paved the way for the Director's Cut content. However, the Iki Island story and area are the most substantial narrative additions.
Ghost of Tsushima: Legends: This standalone multiplayer mode was released as a free update for all Ghost of Tsushima owners on both PS4 and PS5. It offers a completely separate experience from the main campaign, focusing on cooperative and competitive gameplay.

Iki Island Expansion Details

Set before the events of the main game, the Iki Island expansion places Jin Sakai in a new region plagued by a Mongol invasion led by a shaman named Ankhsar the Forgotten. Jin must travel to Iki Island, his childhood home, to confront this new threat and reckon with his past. This expansion introduces:

A New Region: Iki Island, a land filled with diverse environments, new enemies, and unique challenges.
A New Story Arc: Jin's personal journey is explored further, revealing more about his family history and trauma.
New Enemy Types: Including shaman-led Mongol forces and dangerous wildlife.
New Combat Mechanics: Techniques and charms to aid Jin in battle.
New Activities: Including horse combat and exploring new shrines and points of interest.

Ghost of Tsushima: Legends Details

Legends is a cooperative multiplayer experience that draws inspiration from Japanese folklore and myths. It is not a direct continuation of Jin's story but offers a different perspective through the eyes of four legendary samurai warriors. Legends features:

Story Missions: Cooperative missions that expand on the lore of Tsushima, featuring mythical elements and challenging boss fights.
Survival Missions: Wave-based defense missions where up to four players team up to survive increasingly difficult waves of enemies.
Raid: A challenging, multi-part endgame experience that requires coordination and skill among a team of four players.
Competitive Mode (Rival): Two teams of two players compete to defeat waves of enemies while also sending debuffs to the opposing team.
New Classes: Unlockable classes with unique abilities and playstyles.
New Gear and Cosmetics: Earnable through gameplay.

Why Was the Free DLC Released?

Sucker Punch Productions released these free DLCs for several strategic and player-centric reasons:

To Enhance Player Engagement and Longevity: By providing new content, developers encourage players to return to the game or spend more time with it. The Legends mode, in particular, offers endless replayability through its cooperative and competitive elements.
To Showcase Next-Gen Capabilities: With the release of the PlayStation 5, the Director's Cut and its Iki Island expansion provided an opportunity to leverage the console's capabilities, offering enhanced visuals, faster loading times, and DualSense controller integration. While the content was substantial, the Director's Cut upgrade also served as a showcase for the PS5 version.
To Expand the Game's Lore and World: The Iki Island expansion allowed developers to explore Jin's backstory and the broader impact of the Mongol invasion, enriching the game's narrative universe.
To Capitalize on Critical Acclaim: Ghost of Tsushima received widespread praise. Continued support with quality free content reinforces the game's positive reputation and can drive further sales of the base game and Director's Cut.
To Build a Community: Multiplayer modes like Legends foster a sense of community, allowing players to connect and share their experiences.

How to Access and Play the Free DLC

Accessing the free DLC content is straightforward, though it depends on which version of the game you own and whether you are on PlayStation 4 or PlayStation 5.

Accessing Iki Island Expansion

For New Players (Director's Cut): If you purchase Ghost of Tsushima: Director's Cut for PS4 or PS5, the Iki Island expansion is included as part of the game. You can begin the Iki Island questline once you reach Act II of the main story and receive a specific mission prompt.
For Existing Players (Director's Cut Upgrade): If you own the original Ghost of Tsushima on PS4, you can upgrade to the Director's Cut on PS5. This upgrade is a paid purchase, and it includes the Iki Island expansion along with other enhancements. On PS4, buying the Director's Cut version also includes Iki Island.

How to start: In the game, after completing the 'Bloody Homestead' tale in Act II, you will receive a new journal entry titled 'The Tale of Lord Shimura.' Shortly after, a new mission will appear on the world map, marked with a specific icon, guiding you to Iki Island. Jin will need to take a specific Sakai horse to reach the island.

Accessing Ghost of Tsushima: Legends

For All Owners: Ghost of Tsushima: Legends is a free update available to everyone who owns Ghost of Tsushima (original or Director's Cut) on PS4 or PS5. You do not need to purchase anything extra.

How to start: From the main menu of Ghost of Tsushima, select 'Legends.' You can also access it in-game by speaking to a specific NPC named Pure and a Tale of Legends found in various locations throughout the game world. Once in the Legends menu, you can choose to play Story Missions, Survival Missions, or access the Rival mode. The Raid requires players to be at a certain story progression within Legends.

Benefits and Enhancements

The free DLC content significantly enriches the Ghost of Tsushima experience in several ways:

For Single-Player:

Expanded World: Iki Island adds a substantial new area to explore, offering fresh environments and secrets.
Deeper Narrative: Jin's personal story gains new layers, providing context and depth to his character arc.
Increased Replayability: New challenges, combat techniques, and collectibles encourage multiple playthroughs or exploration after finishing the main story.
Visual and Performance Improvements (Director's Cut): For PS5 players, the Director's Cut offers 4K resolution, higher frame rates, faster loading, and DualSense features, making the entire game, including the Iki Island expansion, more immersive.

For Multiplayer:

Cooperative Gameplay: Legends allows players to team up with friends or other players, fostering teamwork and communication.
Competitive Play: The Rival mode offers a fun, skill-based competitive experience.
Variety of Activities: From story-driven missions to endless survival challenges and the demanding Raid, Legends provides diverse gameplay loops.
Progression and Customization: Players can unlock new gear, abilities, and cosmetic items for their chosen classes, offering a sense of achievement.
Mythological Elements: Legends leans into the fantastical aspects of Japanese folklore, offering a more stylized and mythical take on the world of Tsushima.

Risks and Considerations

While the free DLC is overwhelmingly positive, there are a few points to consider:

Director's Cut Cost: The Iki Island expansion is tied to the Director's Cut. If you own the original PS4 game, accessing Iki Island requires purchasing the Director's Cut upgrade, which is not free. This can be a point of confusion for players expecting all new content to be universally free.
Learning Curve for Legends: Legends introduces new mechanics, classes, and requires coordination, which can present a learning curve for players new to cooperative online gaming or those accustomed solely to the single-player experience.
Platform Dependency: While Legends is cross-gen (PS4 and PS5 can play together), accessing the Director's Cut and its enhancements is platform-specific. The PS5 version offers the most advanced features.
Story Integration: The Iki Island expansion is integrated into the single-player campaign's progression. Legends is a separate mode, so players looking purely for more Jin Sakai story might find Legends less appealing initially.

Examples and Use Cases

Iki Island Expansion

Lore Enthusiasts: Players who enjoyed Jin's journey and wanted to understand more about his past will find the Iki Island story particularly engaging. It delves into his relationship with his father and the traumas that shaped him.
Exploration Fanatics: The island itself is a beautiful, albeit dangerous, new playground. Players who love exploring every nook and cranny, finding collectibles, and uncovering hidden tales will have hours of content.
Combat Challengers: The introduction of new enemy types and combat challenges, like shaman-led Mongol hordes that buff their allies, requires players to adapt their strategies and utilize Jin's full arsenal.

Ghost of Tsushima: Legends

Cooperative Friends: A group of friends looking for a shared gaming experience can team up in Story or Survival missions, coordinating attacks and reviving each other.
Competitive Players: Those who enjoy testing their skills against others can engage in the Rival mode, vying for supremacy.
Endgame Enthusiasts: Players seeking a true test of skill and coordination will find the Legends Raid to be a challenging and rewarding endgame experience.
Newcomers to the Game: Legends can serve as an excellent introduction to the combat and world of Ghost of Tsushima for players who might not otherwise engage with a story-heavy single-player game.

Best Practices and Common Mistakes

For Iki Island:

Best Practice: Play after Act II: The story is designed to be experienced after Jin has developed significantly as the Ghost. Starting it too early can spoil narrative beats or make challenges too difficult.
Best Practice: Explore thoroughly: Iki Island is packed with secrets, including new charms, abilities, and lore. Take your time to discover everything.
Common Mistake: Neglecting New Abilities: The new techniques and charms are powerful. Don't stick solely to your old loadout; experiment to find what works best against new enemy types.
Common Mistake: Rushing Through Story: The narrative is a significant part of the expansion. Appreciate Jin's emotional journey and the character development.

For Legends:

Best Practice: Communicate with your team: Especially in Story and Raid missions, clear communication about enemy threats, objectives, and ability usage is crucial.
Best Practice: Understand your Class: Each of the four classes (Samurai, Hunter, Ronin, Assassin) has unique strengths and weaknesses. Learn to play to your class's advantages and support others.
Common Mistake: Going Solo: Even in missions designed for teams, players sometimes try to tackle objectives alone, leading to failure. Stick with your teammates.
Common Mistake: Ignoring Objectives for Kills: In Story and Raid missions, completing objectives is paramount. Focusing solely on kills, especially if it means leaving teammates or objectives vulnerable, will lead to mission failure.
Common Mistake: Not Upgrading Gear: As you progress in Legends, your gear score and the rarity of your equipment become increasingly important for tackling higher-tier challenges.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Is Ghost of Tsushima free on PS5?

A1: The base game Ghost of Tsushima is not free on PS5. However, the Ghost of Tsushima: Director's Cut is available for purchase on PS5, which includes enhancements and the Iki Island expansion. The Ghost of Tsushima: Legends multiplayer mode is a free update for all owners of the game.

Q2: Do I need PS Plus to play Ghost of Tsushima: Legends?

A2: Yes, PlayStation Plus is required to play Ghost of Tsushima: Legends on both PS4 and PS5, as it is an online multiplayer service. — Where To Watch The Packers Game Today: TV, Streaming, & More

Q3: Can I play the Iki Island expansion on the original PS4 version of Ghost of Tsushima?

A3: No, the Iki Island expansion is only available as part of the Ghost of Tsushima: Director's Cut. If you own the original PS4 version, you need to purchase the Director's Cut upgrade to access Iki Island and other Director's Cut features.

Q4: Is Ghost of Tsushima: Legends cross-platform?

A4: Ghost of Tsushima: Legends supports cross-generation play. PS4 players can play with PS5 players, and vice-versa.

Q5: How much does the Ghost of Tsushima: Legends DLC cost?

A5: Ghost of Tsushima: Legends is completely free for all owners of Ghost of Tsushima on PS4 and PS5. It was released as a free update.