Do You Need to Play Ghost of Tsushima Before Yotei?

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Ghost of Yotei is the sequel fans have been waiting for after 5 years, continuing the compelling samurai stories from Sucker Punch Productions that began with Ghost of Tsushima. The new game features a different main character than Jin Sakai, so those jumping into Ghost of Yotei without experiencing Ghost of Tsushima may be wondering if they need to play the first game to understand the story, or if a summary of past events would be helpful. Fortunately, we have all the information you need.

Do You Need to Play Ghost of Tsushima Before Yotei?

The short answer is no, you don’t need to have played Ghost of Tsushima to understand or enjoy Ghost of Yotei. Ghost of Yotei considers the series as a collection of standalone stories, meaning there’s no real connection between the two games beyond sharing a title and similar gameplay – where you play as a traveler skilled in both the ways of the sinobi and samurai. Ghost of Tsushima takes place in 1274 during the Mongol invasion of Tsushima Island, while Ghost of Yotei is set in 1603 on the island of Ezo. More than 300 years separate the events of Ghost of Tsushima and Ghost of Yotei, with the characters and stories of the first game becoming legends and rumors by the time of the second, making Ghost of Yotei easy for anyone to pick up and play. That said, we highly recommend Ghost of Tsushima for its fantastic story, expansive open world, and engaging combat – all of which will make playing Ghost of Yotei feel natural and intuitive.

Spoilers ahead for Ghost of Tsushima!

Ghost of Tsushima Recap for Ghost of Yotei

Ghost of Tsushima is set on the island of Tsushima, Japan, in 1274, as Mongol armies begin their invasion. The game centers around Jin Sakai, a young samurai who is determined to defend Tsushima from invaders who fight without honor. To succeed and overcome these clever enemies, Jin has to abandon traditional samurai principles and become the first shinobi – a master of stealth and assassination. This decision deeply disappoints and shames his uncle, Lord Shimura. Jin Sakai ultimately defeats the Khan and drives out the Mongol forces, but the shogun of Japan orders his execution as punishment for his dishonorable actions. Jin rejects the samurai path entirely and embraces the identity of the Ghost, vanishing into the night as Tsushima’s spirit of revenge – and he is never seen again.

After 16 years of training to become a warrior, Atsu returns to her homeland of Ezo in 1603, driven by a single purpose: revenge. Ghost of Yotei tells the story of Atsu, a wandering warrior determined to hunt down the Yotei Six – the men who killed her family when she was a child – and that’s how the narrative unfolds.

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2025-10-02 11:08