Ghost Of Yotei, Unveiling the Legacy of the Ghost

After Ghost of Tsushima completely surprised the world and exceeded expectations in every possible aspect of a video game, there had been speculation for years about what awaited us next and whether the Sucker Punch team would continue with the formula that worked or try something completely new. 

Finally, during the past year, we received confirmation that another title set in Japan was awaiting us but with a completely new story centuries after Jin's adventures, so we received numerous opinions and expectations from the public and Ghost of Yotei, until the day of its release, was tied to only one question: would the game manage to raise the success of Tsushima to an even higher level, or have the creators made something so good for the first time that they are unable to repeat it?

After 17 hours of pure enjoyment in the game, the answer is: the Sucker Punch team has once again exceeded expectations and moved the bar a few steps higher!

In the mood for something completely different? Check out our Yooka-Replaylee review!

Ghost Of Yotei, Beyond the Revenge Plot

When I first saw Atsu, I can't say I was too thrilled because she seemed like something already seen a protagonist whose family was killed by the so-called Yotei Six and for whom revenge is the only motive to live, however, the story is much more layered than it seems and the development of the so-called ghost is exciting to follow, especially because literally all the characters in the game are fantastically made and greatly help the story take the shape it needs. 

I must admit that I am cautious with the words I use, so I don't accidentally reveal anything to you. Still, the most important thing is for you to know that this is a story you must experience, and that its numerous twists will in no way leave you indifferent. Another essential thing to emphasize is that, although both games are made in three chapters and are more or less the same length, Ghost of Tsushima and Ghost of Yotei have a completely different dynamic of narrative development, so there are no similarities in the story itself; Ghost of Yotei is a title entirely of its own and should be experienced as such.

If you are wondering if Jin Sakai or the events from Tsushima are mentioned in the title, I will only tell you to carefully prick up your ears around the middle of the game because the inhabitants of Ezo have undoubtedly heard about the legend of the ghost who saved Japan from the Mongols.

Visual Fidelity and Performance: A Benchmark for Consoles

As I just mentioned, the story this time takes place on the island of Ezo, which is roughly the same size as Tsushima. Hence, the map isn't significantly larger either. You won't have to waste too much time traveling from quest to quest, mainly since fast travel works practically everywhere and significantly makes life easier.

The game's ambiance has retained the same beautiful, colorful style, recognizable for its gorgeous leaves that made Tsushima so legendary. Still, it's clear that the technology has advanced significantly over the last 5 years, and the PlayStation 5 offers many more possibilities than its predecessor. The visuals in Ghost of Yotei are genuinely stunning, drawing you into its world with every frame. 

Even on the base model, the game looks significantly better than Tsushima. It runs fantastically: a very stable 60 fps in performance mode, which still looks gorgeous, and a quality mode that looks even more beautiful but keeps the game at 30 fps. The improved performance of Ghost of Yotei will keep you on the edge of your seat, ready to dive into its action-packed gameplay.

As far as gameplay is concerned, Ghost of Yotei has retained almost all the elements of its predecessor and continued to develop on an excellent foundation. The most significant difference is that Atsu has a much larger selection of weapons than Jin. This expanded weapon selection empowers you to counter the enemy's choice, making combat more diverse and exciting than ever.

The atmospheric sounds of Ezo's world are a character in themselves, and I experienced them in perfect detail through my XP Panther blue headphones.

The Impact of Firearms In Ghost of Yotei

On top of all that, the beginning of the 17th century brings with it firearms in all forms. Hence, the arsenal is never larger, and every playstyle is allowed, from an assassin who came to heal rage due to a not-so-pleasant experience with Naoe and Yasuke, all the way to lovers of archery and marksmanship. 

Although the combat on paper is quite simple, in practice, it requires relatively fast reactions. It is necessary to be skilled at deflecting blows and breaking the enemy's guard. Firearms require a lot of time to reload, so it is best to practice in combat and rely entirely on steel because it will not betray you in a critical moment.

 This entire system is so good that my only complaint in the whole game is that there are too many options for development with every possible weapon; each weapon has at least 5-6 abilities (plus Atsu's own skills like assassination, survival, etc.) and it simply isn't possible to gather enough points to develop everything if you don't plan to spend 60 hours in the game and clear all the side-content.

Simple Weapon Upgrades and Easy Loot

With all this, Atsu also has a companion in the form of a she-wolf, the Onryo, who appears when most needed and uses fear as a weapon. As the game progresses, the Onryo gains an ever greater reputation, and the enemies' knees tremble more and more when they meet. Besides the Ghost stance, we have a slightly less cool but easier to access Onryo Howl, which instills fear in the enemies and significantly lowers their guard. 

Besides the abilities, there is also the development of the weapons themselves, but it is straightforward. Loot is easily found by wandering the map or by killing Saito's troops, so it is only necessary to find a blacksmith or a competent weaponsmith, and everything is ready in a minute or two.

In Conclusion

All in all, Ghost of Tsushima is one of the best and most complete games I have played. Sucker Punch set the bar relatively high for its storyline games, and it is clear that over the years, it has continued to develop its titles. The story itself is fantastic and leaves a strong impression on the players. The gameplay continues exactly where it left off in 2020, and the ambiance and graphics are excellent, extracting the last atom of power from the PlayStation 5.

Game Rating: 9.8/10

It is an exceptional evolution of its predecessor, with a compelling story, vastly expanded and engaging combat, and stunning visuals, held back only slightly by an overly extensive, potentially overwhelming progression system for some players.

Age Recommendation:16+

Recommended for ages 16 and up due to intense violence, themes of revenge, and complex combat mechanics requiring strategic thinking.

Gemini AI Summary:

Ghost of Yotei (2025) is praised as a masterpiece that successfully builds upon and surpasses Ghost of Tsushima. Set centuries later on the island of Ezo, it features a new protagonist, Atsu, on a quest for revenge. The review highlights the game's fantastic, layered story with well-developed characters, a vast improvement in visuals leveraging the PS5's power, and significantly expanded gameplay. This includes a much larger arsenal of weapons (katanas, spears, firearms) allowing for diverse combat styles. While the core combat is excellent, the progression system is noted as being overly extensive. The game receives a near-perfect score, commended for its compelling narrative, engaging gameplay, and stunning ambiance.