
Download & Installation
Introduction
Ghost of Tsushima is available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 (via backward compatibility or the enhanced Director’s Cut), and PC (via Steam and Epic Games Store). The game is not released on Xbox, Nintendo Switch, or mobile platforms. This guide covers legitimate digital and physical purchases, step-by-step installation for each platform, system requirements (PC), storage requirements, account prerequisites, first‑launch setup, common installation errors, and post‑installation verification.
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PlayStation 4 & PlayStation 5
Platforms Covered
- PS4 – Original version (also backward compatible on PS5)
- PS5 – Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut (enhanced for PS5, includes Iki Island expansion and PS5 features)
- A PlayStation Network (PSN) account is required to download digital copies, access online features (Legends mode), and redeem disc‑based content (day‑one patches, bonus items). Free to create.
Account Requirements
Digital Download (PS Store)
1. On your PS4 or PS5, navigate to the PlayStation Store from the home screen.
2. Search for “Ghost of Tsushima” or “Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut”.
3. Select the edition you wish to purchase (Standard, Digital Deluxe, or Director’s Cut).
4. Complete the purchase using a payment method or wallet funds.
5. After purchase, the download will begin automatically. If it does not, go to Game Library → Purchased and start the download manually.
6. Pre‑load is available for pre‑orders (usually 48 hours before release).
Physical Disc Installation
1. Insert the PS4 or PS5 disc into your console.
2. The console will automatically recognise the game. If not, navigate to the disc icon on the home screen and press X.
3. A prompt will appear to Install the game data. Select Install.
4. After installation, the game will copy to the hard drive. A mandatory day‑one patch may download (size varies, typically 1–5 GB). Ensure your console is connected to the internet.
5. Once the patch is installed, launch the game from the home screen.
Storage Space
| Platform | Space Required |
|---|---|
| PS4 | ~45 GB |
| PS5 | ~65 GB |
| PS5 (Director’s Cut) | ~65–70 GB |
First Launch Setup (PlayStation)
- On PS5, the game will detect which version you own. If you own the PS4 disc, you can download the free PS5 upgrade (only for Director’s Cut). Follow on‑screen prompts.
- Accept the Licence Agreement and Privacy Notice.
- Configure Display and Audio settings (HDR, 60/120 Hz, Audio Output).
- Legends Mode requires a PSN account and PlayStation Plus subscription for online multiplayer.
- Steam (Valve)
- Epic Games Store (Epic Games)
- Steam – Free Steam account required. Purchase the game on the Steam store.
- Epic Games Store – Free Epic Games account required. Purchase on Epic Store.
- No additional PSN account is needed for the PC version (except for cross‑play features in Legends mode, which require linking a PSN account).
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PC (Steam & Epic Games Store)
Platforms Covered
Account Requirements
System Requirements (Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut – PC)
| Component | Minimum | Recommended | High/Ultra |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 64‑bit | Windows 10 64‑bit | Windows 10/11 64‑bit |
| Processor | Intel Core i5-4430 / AMD Ryzen 3 1200 | Intel Core i5-11400 / AMD Ryzen 5 5600 | Intel Core i7-12700 / AMD Ryzen 7 5800X |
| Memory | 8 GB RAM | 16 GB RAM | 16 GB RAM |
| GPU | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 (4GB) / AMD Radeon RX 5500 XT | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti / AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 / AMD Radeon RX 7900 XT |
| DirectX | Version 12 | Version 12 | Version 12 |
| Storage | 75 GB SSD | 75 GB SSD | 75 GB SSD (NVMe recommended) |
| Additional | Broadband internet connection; 720p / 30 fps (minimum) | 1440p / 60 fps (recommended) | 4K / 60 fps (ultra) |
Download & Installation Steps (Steam)
1. Install Steam – If not already installed, download the Steam client from [store.steampowered.com](https://store.steampowered.com) and install it.
2. Create/Log in – Launch Steam and sign in to your Steam account.
3. Purchase – Search “Ghost of Tsushima” in the Store. Select Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut – PC Edition. Add to cart and complete purchase.
4. Install – After purchase, the game will appear in your Library. Click Install.
- Choose a destination folder (ensure the drive has at least 75 GB free space).
5. Download – Steam will begin downloading the game files. You can pause/resume. Pre‑load is available for pre‑orders.
6. Auto‑install – Once the download finishes, Steam will automatically unpack and install the game. This may take 10–20 minutes depending on your system.
7. Launch – Click Play in your Steam Library. The game will start after a brief first‑run setup (shader compilation).
Download & Installation Steps (Epic Games Store)
1. Install Epic Games Launcher – Download from [epicgames.com](https://www.epicgames.com/store) and install the launcher.
2. Create/Log in – Open the launcher and sign in to your Epic Games account.
3. Purchase – Search “Ghost of Tsushima” in the Store. Click Buy Now and complete the transaction.
4. Install – Go to your Library tab, find Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut, click Install.
- Choose installation folder (SSD recommended). The launcher will check disk space.
5. Download & Install – The Epic Launcher downloads and installs automatically. Time depends on internet speed.
6. Launch – Click Launch from the Library or create a desktop shortcut.
First Launch Setup (PC)
- Shader Compilation – On the first run, the game will compile shaders. This can take 5–15 minutes and may cause initial stuttering. Do not interrupt (do not force close the game).
- Graphics Settings – The game will auto‑detect your hardware and set a graphics preset. You can customise resolution, FPS cap, upscaling (DLSS/FSR/XeSS), and V‑sync.
- Display & Audio – Select your monitor, HDR calibration, and audio output.
- Account Linking – If you wish to play Legends online, you will be prompted to link your PSN account. This is required for cross‑play with PlayStation players.
- Installed size: approximately 75 GB (may vary slightly with updates).
- SSD strongly recommended for faster load times and to avoid texture pop‑in.
- Pre‑load size: same as full installation (75 GB).
Storage Space
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Common Installation Errors & Fixes
PlayStation
| Error | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Cannot download/install from Store | PSN outage, insufficient storage, or conflicting licences | Check PSN status ([status.playstation.com](https://status.playstation.com)). Free up space (Storage Management). Restore licences: Settings → Users and Accounts → Restore Licences. |
| Disc Read Error | Dirty or damaged disc | Clean disc with a soft cloth. Ensure disc is inserted correctly. If persists, try another disc. |
| Error CE-30005-8 (PS5) | Corrupted installation data | Delete incomplete installation, rebuild database (Safe Mode → Option 5). |
| Update fails to download | Network issue or server overload | Pause and resume download, restart console, or try a wired connection. |
| Game crashes on launch (PS5) | Incompatible external storage or corrupted data | Move game to internal SSD (PS5 games require internal storage). Reinstall if necessary. |
PC
| Error | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX 12 Error / Graphics Driver crash | Outdated or corrupted GPU drivers | Update to the latest drivers from NVIDIA or AMD. If using an older GPU, ensure it supports DirectX 12 Feature Level 12_0. |
| “Insufficient Disk Space” (even though enough free space shown) | NTFS compression or hidden files | Check actual free space via This PC (Win+E). Disable compression on the drive or move the game to an uncompressed volume. |
| Steam/Epic download stucks at 0% | Server congestion or corrupted download cache | Pause/resume; clear Steam download cache (Steam → Settings → Downloads → Clear Download Cache). For Epic, navigate to Library → options → Verify. |
| Shader compilation freezes | Interrupted compilation, antivirus blocking | Temporarily disable antivirus or add the game folder to exceptions. Ensure the process is not terminated. |
| Antivirus flagging game files | False positive (players have reported Bitdefender, Avast, etc.) | Add the entire game installation folder and executable (GhostOfTsushima.exe) to your antivirus whitelist. |
| “Application has stopped working” on launch | Missing VC++ redistributables or corrupt registry | Install the latest Visual C++ Redistributables (both x64 and x86). Verify file integrity (Steam: right‑click game → Properties → Local Files → Verify integrity of game files. Epic: Library → click “…” → Verify). |
| “Failed to create DirectX 12 Device” | GPU does not support DirectX 12 or driver issues | Update drivers. If your GPU is very old (e.g., GTX 700 series or earlier), the game will not run. Check compatibility. |
| Controller not recognised | Steam/Epic input conflict | Disable Steam Input for the game (Steam → Library → right‑click game → Properties → Controller → Disable Steam Input). For Epic, use the non‑Steam controller or Xbox/PlayStation native support. |
| Low FPS or stuttering | Outdated drivers, background processes, thermal throttling | Close unnecessary apps, lower graphics settings, enable upscaling (DLSS/FSR). Monitor temperatures. Ensure game is on an SSD. |
Post‑Installation Verification
Verify Game Files (PC)
- Steam: Right‑click Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut in Library → Properties → Local Files → Verify integrity of game files. This checks for corrupted or missing files and replaces them.
- Epic Games: In Library, click the three dots next to the game → Verify. The launcher will scan and repair if needed.
- Ensure you install the latest patch. On PlayStation, automatic updates are on by default. On PC, both Steam and Epic should auto‑update the game. You can manually check for updates by restarting the client or right‑clicking the game and selecting Properties → Updates.
- PlayStation cross‑save: If you own both PS4 and PS5 versions (or PC version), you can transfer save files. Use the in‑game “Transfer Save Data” option from the main menu (requires a PSN account). PC saves are stored locally (usually under `%USERPROFILE%\Documents\Ghost of Tsushima`).
- Pre‑load advantage: On both consoles and PC, if you pre‑ordered, you can download the game days before release. At launch, only a small unlock patch is needed.
- SSD vs HDD: An SSD is highly recommended for PC and required on PS5 (to meet speed standards). On PS4, the game runs fine on HDD but load times are much longer (up to 2 minutes vs 20 seconds on SSD).
- Language: The game supports multiple languages. On PlayStation, language is tied to console region; on PC, you can change language via Steam/Epic settings or in‑game menu.
Launch & Quick Test
1. Launch the game and check that the main menu loads.
2. Start a new game or load a save. Walk around for a minute to ensure textures, audio, and controls work.
3. Test Legends mode (if you have internet) to verify online connectivity.
4. On PlayStation, go to Settings → Storage to confirm that the game is installed and has the correct file size.
Update Patches
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Additional Tips
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Summary Table
| Platform | Store/Method | Installation File Size | Account Needed | Online Feature Subscription |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PS4 | PS Store / Disc | ~45 GB | PSN | PS Plus (Legends) |
| PS5 | PS Store / Disc (Director’s Cut) | ~65–70 GB | PSN | PS Plus (Legends) |
| PC (Steam) | Steam Store | ~75 GB | Steam | PSN link (optional for Legends) |
| PC (Epic) | Epic Games Store | ~75 GB | Epic Games | PSN link (optional for Legends) |
If you encounter any issue not listed, consult the official support page for your platform:
- PlayStation Support: [support.playstation.com](https://support.playstation.com)
- Steam Support: [help.steampowered.com](https://help.steampowered.com)
- Epic Games Support: [epicgames.com/help](https://epicgames.com/help)
- Sucker Punch (Developer): [suckerpunch.com/support](https://www.suckerpunch.com/support)