Sucker Punch made a bold and unexpected move with the Ghost of Tsushima sequel, setting Ghost of Yōtei centuries after the original. It’s a clever way to keep the spirit and style of Tsushima intact while stepping away from Jin Sakai’s completed arc. By doing so, they avoid rehashing his story and instead give us a fresh perspective through a new lead: Atsu. This decision lets Yōtei stick to what worked so well before—its atmosphere, mechanics, and themes—without being weighed down by past storylines.
Atsu’s revenge journey isn’t exactly groundbreaking—it’s familiar in structure and at times predictable—but it’s told so well that it never feels stale. Her motivations are crystal clear and deeply personal, and the game does a great job of letting you feel that. The flashbacks, which are seamlessly woven into gameplay rather than handed to you in cutscenes, are a standout. They let you live her past rather than just watch it, making her pain and anger feel real. I found myself genuinely invested in her mission, not just because it was exciting, but because I understood what she’d lost. One particular chapter, focused on her bond with her mother and the pursuit of one of the Yōtei Six—the Kitsune—hit especially hard. It was one of those rare moments where a game got under my skin emotionally.
That said, I did find it a bit frustrating how often her targets conveniently escaped right before a showdown, only to reappear later for the “real” boss fight. It’s a trope I could’ve done without, even if it serves the pacing.
But honestly, the story is just one piece of what makes Ghost of Yōtei so compelling. Exploring Ezo is an absolute joy. Rather than reinventing the wheel, the game refines and builds on what made Tsushima so good in the first place. The guiding wind returns as your navigation tool, still one of the most immersive ways I’ve seen a game direct players without cluttering the screen. I rarely found myself checking the map because the environment was doing all the work for me—and it’s a gorgeous environment to get lost in. Chasing birds or following foxes off the beaten path never felt like a chore; it was always a welcome detour, with meaningful rewards at the end.
Combat keeps its fluid, dance-like feel. If you’ve played Tsushima, it’ll feel familiar, but not stale. The quick weapon swapping, satisfying parries, and blend of stealth and aggression are still top-tier, and there are just enough new tools to keep things fresh. Stealth continues to favor creativity and flow over strict realism, which works perfectly in this world.
What really elevates Ghost of Yōtei, though, is the character of Atsu. She’s angry, impulsive, maybe drinks a little too much (not helped by the fact that drinking sake restores your spirit meter—my bad), but she’s also sharp, passionate, and never loses sight of her goal. From the moment we wrote out our kill list together, I was hooked. Watching her grow, make allies, and wrestle with her past was just as satisfying as any duel or stealth takedown.
And did I mention it all runs seamlessly, with barely a loading screen in sight?
In the end, Ghost of Yōtei doesn’t need to flip the formula on its head. It takes what Ghost of Tsushima already did so well, sharpens it, and tells a powerful new story that stands strong on its own. Atsu’s journey may be rooted in revenge, but it’s her personality and the emotional depth of her story that truly make this game worth experiencing.
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