There are usually two simple ways a developer can approach a sequel to a beloved hit: build upon the existing foundation to refine what already worked, or take a bold leap in a new direction. Sucker Punch chose the former path with Ghost of Yotei, focusing on refinement over reinvention, polishing the mechanics, and evolving the samurai formula that made Ghost of Tsushima unforgettable.
Ghost of Yotei is a stunning masterpiece that builds on the legacy left by Tsushima. It follows Atsu, a survivor whose family was slain by the Yotei Six, rebels opposing the Shogun's rule in Ezo. Left for dead beneath a yellow ginkgo tree, a symbol of resilience, Atsu rises to avenge her parents by hunting down each member of the Yotei.
The game unfolds in a world full of beauty, set beneath the silent looming presence of Mount Yotei in Ezo (now known as Hokkaido). Fields of wildflowers ripple under the cold wind, leading to your next quest. Snow settles softly on beautiful shrines that you can pay respect to, unlock new abilities, and friendly horses emerge from misted meadows to help you cherish every corner of the world.
Stepping into the shoes of Atsu, you immediately sense a shift from Jin Sakai's conflicted morality to a colder, more assured perspective. Unlike Jin, who wrestled with the tension between samurai honor and the Ghost's pragmatism, Atsu has no such hesitation. She fully embraces the way of the Ghost with chilling resolve, her actions driven not by doubt or duty but by survival and conviction.
Ghost of Yotei features one of recent memory's most satisfying combat systems, where every strike carries real weight and precision. Each blow lands with visceral impact, enhanced by the blood sprays that are not gratuitous but artful, capturing the elegance and brutality of the samurai blade in motion, turning every standoff into a choreographed dance of death.
Atsu is the perfect mix between John Wick's relentless thirst for revenge and Ballerina's fluid mastery of weapons, blending precision, grace, and fury in every encounter. The traditional stance system from Ghost of Tsushima has been replaced by five distinct weapon styles: the Katana, Dual Katana, Odachi, Yari, and Kusarigama, and each offers a unique tactical advantage over enemies. These weapons build upon the rock-paper-scissors to take down different kinds of enemies by switching your weapons mid-fight.
Atsu can also disarm enemies and use their own blades as projectiles, taking down foes with style and precision. Ghost of Yotei also introduces quickfire options, letting you seamlessly mix firearms into sword fights and defeat enemies however you see fit.
Ghost of Yotei makes exploration feel purposeful, offering more than just breathtaking scenery. Hot springs and bamboo strikes return, but dynamic encounters add depth: Saito's men threaten innocents, letting you act as a mercenary for quick coins, while disguised bandits reveal themselves only when they attempt to rob you. These moments make the world feel alive and unpredictable. There are some other new activities as well.
After finishing side quests, I returned to the main story, and a yellow bird appeared, chirping and leading me to a hidden area I had missed. Spending almost 10 hours in the starting region before reaching the Ishigari Plains showed just how well-crafted the open world is, where the journey often feels more rewarding than the destination.
The fast loading speed adds to the immersion, and the PS5 DualSense haptics is used to its full potential here, allowing you to use it to grill your food, light your campfire, and draw using it, among many other ways, to make you feel like you're inside the game. It felt a bit gimmicky at first, but it slowly grows on you as hardly any PlayStation games use it to this extent, making it a fun experience.
Ghost of Tsushima holds a unique place in my heart, and there's a late-game quest that I won't spoil, which pays tribute to Jin Sakai and made me miss the prequel even more. Ghost of Yotei is a separate story, but I'd love for Sucker Punch to explore a broader storyline and not play it safe with their established formula.
Like Tsushima, which explored the grandeur of the Shogunate and Japan's royal hierarchy, Yotei dares to break free. It offers a more grounded and personal story focused on revenge, a familiar theme in film and games, yet handled with such finesse that it never feels forced.
The story can sometimes be a little predictable, which might leave gamers wanting more. Even so, Ghost of Yotei stands as a beautifully crafted experience -- rich in emotion, atmosphere, and artistry -- that both honors its roots and carves its own unforgettable path.