Ghost of Yotei Review: A Stunning PS5 Exclusive That Raises the Bar for Open World Games

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Sucker Punch Productions’ *Ghost of Tsushima* was incredibly successful, selling over 13 million copies and earning several awards. While a sequel seemed obvious, the developers surprised everyone by not continuing Jin Sakai’s story directly. Instead, they created *Ghost of Yotei*, a new game set hundreds of years later with a completely new hero named Atsu. It was a bold move to leave behind the characters and story of the first game, but it clearly worked – *Ghost of Yotei* is even more impressive than *Tsushima*.

Driven by a thirst for revenge, Atsu relentlessly hunts the six individuals responsible for the murder of her family and her near-fatal ordeal sixteen years prior. After years spent training as a warrior, she returns to the beautiful Mount Yotei region, determined to eliminate each member of the Yotei Six, no matter the cost. Atsu isn’t concerned with fair play or a code of honor; she’ll do whatever it takes to win, as demonstrated in her first encounter where she targets an opponent while they are intoxicated.

The Ghost of Yotei Story is a Dark Tale of Revenge

The game *Ghost of Yotei* starts with an intense battle that immediately draws you in. You play as Atsu, a complex and well-portrayed character voiced by Erika Ishii, who experiences both thrilling adventures and devastating loss. The story skillfully weaves together current events with shocking flashbacks, gradually revealing the truth behind the night Lord Saito and his men murdered her family and razed her home.

Okay, so I just finished *Ghost of Yotei*, and honestly, the story is a wild ride! It’s like a huge action movie – tons of twists I didn’t see coming, and moments that really hit me emotionally. I genuinely cared about the side characters too. My only complaint? It slows down a bit in places, but those moments are few and far between.

In *Ghost of Yotei*, you’re free to pursue the members of the Yotei Six in any order you choose, rather than following a strict story path. As you explore the Ezo countryside, you’ll encounter Saito’s soldiers and can either avoid them or engage in combat. Winning a fight often leads to an interrogation, giving Atsu clues about the Yotei Six and their locations, which then unlocks a series of missions focused on hunting down that specific member. These missions are essentially self-contained revenge stories, culminating in a challenging final battle. However, the game’s pace slows down considerably between these battles as Atsu prepares to face the next target. This uneven pacing is more noticeable in the first half of the game, but it becomes less of a problem as the story threads start to connect later on.

While most of the stories about the Yotei Six are captivating, the one featuring Kitsune isn’t quite as engaging. The storyline with Oni was thrilling and memorable, but Kitsune’s felt uneven and rushed. It also included some plot points that didn’t feel consistent with Atsu’s personality.

The gameplay in *Ghost of Yotei* can become a bit predictable. The process of finding a new member for the Yotei Six usually involves going to a different area, using a spyglass to find things, and then learning a new weapon from a local expert. It’s a recurring pattern that whenever Atsu learns a new weapon, her teacher’s home is attacked, giving her a chance to practice her skills.

Ghost of Yotei Makes Doing Everything in the Open World Worthwhile

While not flawless, the story in *Ghost of Yotei* is generally very good, and it cleverly integrates optional side activities into the main plot. I discovered this while exploring the open world and stumbling upon an enemy camp. Players can choose to sneak in and eliminate enemies quietly, or charge in with weapons drawn. Either way, capturing the camp triggered a cutscene where the main antagonist, Saito, acknowledged Atsu’s progress and growing influence. As Atsu defeats members of the Yotei Six, Saito’s forces become more formidable and begin to take Atsu seriously, resulting in more traps and better-equipped enemies throughout the world. This connection makes even the side content feel meaningful and directly related to the central conflict, making it more engaging overall.

The side content in *Ghost of Yotei* is noticeably better than in *Tsushima*, offering many interesting quests and challenging fights. While *Yotei* still uses a fairly standard open-world structure, the tasks themselves are more diverse. You’ll still need to find shrines to unlock new skills, but each shrine presents a unique challenge – perhaps climbing a mountain, solving a puzzle, or sneaking past enemies.

Upgrading Atsu in *Ghost of Yotei* relies on completing optional content like finding shrines, and it’s well worth the effort. These upgrades make combat more versatile and enjoyable. While you can finish the game without them, they give Atsu powerful advantages, such as the ability to perform chain assassinations or a special charged attack that can instantly defeat some enemies with precise timing.

Ghost of Yotei Combat is Perfect

The combat in *Ghost of Yotei* feels just right. Because Atsu can take a lot of damage, players need to master dodging and parrying, especially when facing bosses or groups of enemies. The game also features a variety of weapons that are effective against different opponents, encouraging players to experiment beyond just using a katana and keeping each fight interesting. Atsu has helpful tools like smoke bombs for quick escapes and bows for ranged attacks or fast, up-close takedowns. Boss fights in *Ghost of Yotei* are challenging, but never feel unfair.

The combat in *Ghost of Yotei* is exciting, with dramatic and rewarding fights. Stealth is a great option, and the game subtly encourages it without making it mandatory. Successfully taking down enemy camps while remaining hidden is incredibly satisfying, but even when discovered, the sword fights are just as thrilling. Overall, the combat feels like a polished and more visually stunning version of the intense battles in *Tsushima*.

Fighting is central to the *Ghost of Yotei*, but the game mixes things up with platforming sections and small games that use the PS5 DualSense controller’s touchpad. You’ll use motion controls for activities like cooking and blacksmithing, though you can skip those features if you prefer a more traditional experience.

I have no complaints about the gameplay in *Ghost of Yotei*. It perfectly captures the open-world samurai experience of the first game, and in many ways, improves upon it – the graphics, in particular, are stunning. Players will be amazed by how beautiful the game looks, with incredible weather and a remarkable level of detail. I even noticed a single raindrop rolling down the face of a character I was speaking with! *Ghost of Yotei* might be the best-looking game on the PS5, and what Sucker Punch has achieved is truly impressive.

It took me around 22 hours to finish the main story of *Ghost of Yotei*, but I spent a lot of extra time exploring optional content as well.

Inspired by *Ghost of Tsushima*, *Ghost of Yotei* improves on its predecessor in almost every way. It features stunning graphics, a captivating soundtrack, refined gameplay, and a compelling story, though it occasionally slows down. This incredibly addictive game is a true open-world masterpiece and a standout exclusive for the PlayStation 5, leaving players eager to return after each session.

Ghost of Yotei will be available on October 2nd, and it’s only for PlayStation 5. We at Game Rant received a PS5 code to review the game.

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2025-09-25 16:08