Part 7/9:
The Context Behind Review Scores
Ryan explores why Ghost of Tsushima received "mixed" to "positive" critic scores despite its high fan ratings. He asserts critics often evaluate different aspects—such as cultural representation, messaging, and social and political themes—not necessarily gameplay or storytelling, which are typically more appreciated by the fans.
This disconnect partly explains why critics were less enamored with Tsushima, giving it scores like 83 out of 100, and placing it only 17th among PS4 titles of the generation. Ryan also mentions the controversy around critic reviews, with some accusing critics of scrutinizing the game for "cultural appropriation" and "social messaging," whereas players enjoyed the game for its gameplay, storytelling, and immersive setting.