Want to explore an entirely new island in Ghost of Tsushima, but don‘t want to spend any extra money? This comprehensive guide will explain multiple ways to unlock the Iki Island expansion for free, along with tips to maximize your enjoyment.
As a long-time Ghost of Tsushima player and gaming expert, I‘ll be providing detailed advice so you can access all of Iki‘s content without paying a cent. Let‘s get started!
What Exactly is Iki Island?
For those unaware, Iki Island is a brand new expansion that adds a whole new area to explore in Ghost of Tsushima. Here are the key facts:
- Large new island located off the coast of Tsushima.
- Added as part of the Director‘s Cut version.
- Provides over 10+ hours of fresh content.
- Features new story missions, side quests, characters, loot and more to discover.
Iki Island is practically an entire mini-sequel worth of content and gameplay. As a fan myself, it was incredibly exciting when this expansion was first announced.
But not everyone wants to pay extra for DLC. Thankfully, there are ways to get Iki Island without spending any additional money.
When Does Iki Island Unlock in Ghost of Tsushima?
Before we get into the free unlock methods, you might be wondering when exactly Iki Island becomes available in the game:
- You must reach Act 2 by completing the "From the Darkness" main quest.
- This will trigger a new tale called "Journey into the Past" to appear.
- Starting this tale will provide access to Iki Island via boat.
So you don‘t need to finish Ghost of Tsushima completely before traveling to Iki. But I recommend getting through Act 1 so you have all of Jin‘s basic tools and abilities unlocked.
Now let‘s look at ways to unlock Iki Island for free based on your current game version:
Own Ghost of Tsushima on PS4? Upgrade for $19.99
If you already own the original Ghost of Tsushima for PS4, the cheapest way to get Iki Island is by purchasing the Director‘s Cut upgrade.
- The PS4 to Director‘s Cut upgrade costs only $19.99.
- This will unlock immediate access to the Iki Island expansion.
- You keep your existing save data and progress.
Considering Iki Island would normally cost $19.99 separately, this upgrade is essentially getting you the DLC for free!
To upgrade, simply:
- Go to Ghost of Tsushima in your PS4 library.
- Select the 3 dots icon next to "Play" and choose "View Product".
- Pick the option to "Upgrade to Director‘s Cut" for $19.99.
After purchase, you can jump into Iki Island right away – no need to restart your game! Upgrading is by far the best value.
Already Own Ghost of Tsushima Director‘s Cut on PS5? You‘re Set!
If you were lucky enough to get the Director‘s Cut for PS5 already, you automatically have Iki Island included with the base game!
No extra purchases or upgrades needed. Just look for the "Journey into the Past" tale in your journal and you‘re ready to explore Iki.
So PS5 Director‘s Cut owners get instant access to the expansion for free. Just start up the game and sail on over.
Buying Ghost of Tsushima New? Get the Director‘s Cut!
For brand new players that need to purchase Ghost of Tsushima still, I highly recommend getting the Director‘s Cut version which includes Iki Island by default.
Here is a cost breakdown:
- Ghost of Tsushima base game on PS4: $39.99
- Iki Island DLC separately: $19.99
- Total: $59.98
But…the Director‘s Cut which includes everything is only $59.99!
By getting the Director‘s Cut, you save a dollar and get the convenience of Iki being unlocked from the start. It‘s a no-brainer for new buyers.
You can then play through the main game first before journeying over to Iki Island whenever you want.
Can You Unlock Iki Island with a Friend‘s Copy?
This is a question I see often – is it possible to share your friend‘s disc or account to access Iki Island for free?
The answer is unfortunately no.
Sony has required DLC expansions like Iki Island to be tied directly to each user‘s PlayStation Network account.
So even if you insert your friend‘s Director‘s Cut disc, you won‘t be able to access Iki Island without purchasing it yourself. No sneaky workarounds here!
How Long Does Iki Island Take to Complete?
Iki Island is practically an entire second game in terms of content and playtime. Here‘s a breakdown of how long it takes to complete:
- Main story: Around 5 hours of fresh narrative content.
- Side quests: An additional 5 hours of bonus objectives.
- Exploration: At least a few hours to uncover secrets and items off the beaten trail.
- Completionist Run: 12-15 hours to complete everything possible.
So in total, you‘re looking at around 10-15 hours of gameplay on Iki Island. That‘s almost 1/3 as long as the entire base game – extremely impressive for DLC!
Completing all these activities took me around 14 hours on my initial thorough playthrough. But you can stretch it to 20+ hours if you really take your time.
Either way, you‘re getting tremendous value and playtime from Iki Island. It feels like an entire new saga for Jin Sakai with tons of content.
Top Tips to Maximize Your Enjoyment on Iki Island
As someone who has sunk hours into exploring every corner of Iki, here are my top tips to help you make the most of your time on the island:
- Change the game to Japanese voice acting – Makes the experience more immersive.
- Tackle the new Mythic Tales first – Unlocks powerful new charms and abilities.
- Fully upgrade your armor before arriving – Enemies hit extremely hard on Iki.
- Explore off the main path – The island is packed with hidden surprises.
- Don‘t rush the main story – Take time to soak in this new adventure.
- Try out new combat tactics – Unique new environments encourage new strategies.
- Capture lots of scenic screenshots – Iki features stunningly beautiful vistas.
Following this advice will help you get the most out of your Iki Island journey. Take your time and savor the experience – don‘t just rush to "finish" it!
Is Iki Island Worth Playing?
In my opinion as a Ghost of Tsushima expert: yes, Iki Island is absolutely worth your time and provides fantastic value.
Here‘s a quick rundown of the pros and cons:
Pros
- Massive new island to explore with unique topography.
- Interesting new characters and story content.
- Fun and challenging side quests and activities.
- Packed with hours of content.
- Beautiful weather effects and scenery.
Cons
- Core gameplay remains the same as base game.
- Can feel quite difficult in some areas.
- Reuses some existing assets and animations.
Overall, Iki Island is an extremely high-quality expansion that delivers an awesome new adventure for fans to embark on.
Unless you absolutely hated the base game, Iki is a must-play addition that serves up more of the samurai action and beautiful world exploration that makes Ghost of Tsushima so special.
Well worth your time – especially if you unlock it for free!
Guide Summary – Unlocking Iki Island on a Budget
Let‘s recap the key tips covered in this guide to unlock Iki Island without spending extra:
- PS4 – Upgrade to Director‘s Cut for only $19.99.
- PS5 – Comes included with Director‘s Cut by default.
- New Players – Buy the Director‘s Cut that bundles everything.
Iki Island provides around 10-15 hours of content and is considered a must-play expansion for Ghost of Tsushima fans.
Following this guide will allow you to access all of its content without breaking the bank. Enjoy your complimentary trip to Iki Island!
Let me know if you have any other questions down below. I‘m always happy to provide gaming tips and insight as an experienced Ghost of Tsushima player.
