7 Reasons to Play Ghost of Yotei

Set over 300 years after the events of Ghost of Tsushima, it takes place in the stunning and rugged 1603 Ezo region of Japan’s north. The game follows Atsu, a fierce onna-musha on a personal mission of vengeance against the Yōtei Six, the gang that slaughtered her family sixteen years ago. With its breathtaking landscapes, rich cultural detail, and a fresh protagonist, Ghost of Yōtei is shaping up to be one of the most visually stunning and emotionally gripping samurai games you'll experience this year. 

7 Reasons to Play Ghost of Yotei | LIST-EM. Article Image by 'Sucker Punch Productions'

Boy do I have a list for you! Ghost of Yōtei just dropped on PS5 on October 2, 2025, and honestly, this samurai sequel is absolutely blowing my mind. As a massive fan of the original Ghost of Tsushima, I've been counting down the days for this one, and let me tell you - Sucker Punch has outdone themselves yet again.​

Set in 1603 Ezo (modern-day Hokkaido), this standalone sequel follows a badass female protagonist named Atsu who's got one hell of a revenge story to tell. We're talking about a completely different time period, new setting, and fresh character - but with all that gorgeous samurai action we fell in love with.​

Here's why you should definitely check out Ghost of Yōtei if you haven't already jumped in.

01 ATSU IS AN ABSOLUTE LEGEND OF A PROTAGONIST

Man, where do I even start with Atsu? She's an onna-musha (female samurai) with a revenge story that'll give you chills. Sixteen years ago, a gang called the Yōtei Six murdered her entire family and left her for dead, literally pinned to a burning ginkgo tree. But here's the thing - she survived, learned to fight like a damn warrior, and now she's back with a hit list.​

The character design is absolutely stunning too. Atsu feels completely different from Jin Sakai but carries that same determined spirit that made the first game so compelling. Plus, having a female protagonist in a samurai setting? A bold move - it's refreshing and adds a whole new dynamic to the Ghost formula.

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02 EZO IS A VISUAL MASTERPIECE THAT'LL BLOW YOUR MIND

Alright, let's talk about this setting because wow. Ezo (Hokkaido) in 1603 is absolutely breathtaking. We're not in Tsushima anymore - instead, you get snow-capped mountains, dense forests, and landscapes that look like they're straight out of a Studio Ghibli film.​

The team at Sucker Punch actually traveled to northern Japan multiple times for inspiration, and it shows. They recorded nature sounds at Shiretoko National Park and worked with local Ainu people to get the cultural details right. The attention to detail is insane - from the way Mount Yōtei reflects across Lake Tōya to the intricate seasonal changes that affect gameplay.

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03 THE YŌTEI SIX MAKE FOR EPIC BOSS ENCOUNTERS

This is where the game gets really interesting. Instead of dealing with a massive Mongol invasion, you're hunting down six specific targets: The Snake, The Oni, The Kitsune, The Spider, The Dragon, and Lord Saito. Each one has a unique personality and fighting style, and the best part? You can hunt them down in any order you want.​

The freedom to tackle your revenge list however you see fit adds so much replayability. I've been going back and forth on who to take down first, and honestly, each encounter feels like its own mini-movie. The boss fights are absolutely top-notch with cinematic flair that rivals anything from the original game.

04 COMBAT EVOLUTION THAT FEELS FRESH BUT FAMILIAR

The combat system builds on everything that made Ghost of Tsushima amazing but adds new layers that fit Atsu's fighting style perfectly. Creative director Nate Fox wanted to maintain that "classic samurai movie" feel while making it uniquely Atsu's story, and they nailed it.​

You've still got those gorgeous sword stances and that satisfying parry system, but there's something different about how Atsu moves and fights. She's more agile, more desperate - like someone who's had to claw their way back from the brink of death. The katana she uses? It's the same one used to pin her to that burning tree all those years ago. Talk about poetic justice.

05 CULTURAL AUTHENTICITY THAT RESPECTS THE SOURCE MATERIAL

Here we have Sucker Punch once again showing incredible respect for Japanese culture and history. They worked with cultural advisors throughout development and consulted with the Ainu people, who are indigenous to the Hokkaido region. This attention to cultural sensitivity makes the game feel authentic rather than appropriative.​

The team visited important cultural sites and really dove deep into the historical context of early 1600s Ezo. You can feel this research in every aspect of the game, from the architecture to the clothing to the way characters interact. It's clear they took their responsibility seriously, and the result is a game that honors its cultural roots while telling an engaging story.

06 A MORE VARIED OPEN WORLD WITH UNIQUE ACTIVITIES

One criticism of the original Ghost of Tsushima was that some activities could feel repetitive after a while. Well, Sucker Punch listened. The Ezo setting allows for much more environmental variety - you're not just dealing with different biomes, but completely different seasonal challenges and activities.​

The world feels more alive and varied than Tsushima ever did. Instead of just fox dens and hot springs, you've got unique cultural activities tied to the Ainu people, different types of environmental puzzles based on the harsh northern climate, and side quests that feel genuinely connected to Atsu's story and the world around her.

07 NEXT-GEN PS5 FEATURES THAT MAKE YOU FEEL EVERY SWORD CLASH

Let me tell you, this game was built for PS5 from the ground up, and it shows. The DualSense controller makes every sword clash feel visceral - you can actually feel the difference between blocking a katana versus a club. The adaptive triggers give resistance when drawing your bow that changes based on the type of arrow you're using.​

The loading times are practically non-existent, and the visual fidelity is just stunning. Ray tracing on the snow and water effects, the way light filters through the forests - it's all absolutely gorgeous. Plus, the 3D audio really shines when you're tracking enemies through dense woodland or trying to locate the source of that haunting flute music that follows you around Ezo.

This game is definitely worth experiencing, and honestly, it might just be better than the original. The combination of Atsu's compelling revenge story, the gorgeous Ezo setting, and refined gameplay mechanics creates something pretty special. As always, this is based entirely on my tastes, but I think most fans of action-adventure games are going to love this one.

What do you think? Let me know down below!

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