Everything We Know About Ghost Of Yotei

Key Takeaways

Ghost of Yotei
is a thematic sequel, not a direct one, set in Hokkaido with a new heroine, Atsu.
Atsu has no allegiance and hunts targets, suggesting a revenge-themed story with possible outlaw ties.
Gun access reveals a time jump to 1603 from 1274, ruling out Mongols as antagonists in
Ghost of Yotei
.

As a seasoned gamer with over three decades under my belt, I must admit that the announcement of “Ghost of Yotei” has stirred quite a bit of excitement within me. Having played and thoroughly enjoyed the captivating tale of Jin Sakai in “Ghost of Tsushima”, I find myself intrigued by this new narrative set 329 years later.

In 2020, Ghost of Tsushima was a massive success, leading many to speculate about a sequel from Sucker Punch Studios. For years, rumors swirled whenever new games were announced. At last, the State of Play event in September 2024 unveiled the long-awaited follow-up, but not quite as fans anticipated. Rather than a traditional sequel, Ghost of Yotei is thematically linked to its predecessor. Set within the same historical context as Ghost of Tsushima, it may contain subtle references that fans will recognize, but overall, it offers a fresh narrative with new characters. The primary connections are the Feudal Japan setting and the continued use of the “ghost” concept.

It might have come as a shock, yet the Ghost of Yotei turned out to be an enjoyable surprise for many. After the initial astonishment over the game’s new direction subsided, fans of Ghost of Tsushima began to get thrilled about what this fresh journey could offer and where it would lead within the series. Even those who haven’t played the original game can dive right in without fretting about missing crucial background details. Although much about the game remains a mystery, the trailer does offer some hints regarding what players might encounter. By gathering these clues, we can infer a few intriguing aspects of what Ghost of Yotei will encompass.

5 The New Heroine

Atsu Is The New Ghost

a female warrior named Atsu. Developers Sucker Punch have been tight-lipped about her backstory, but it seems she is a roaming ronin (a samurai without loyalty to a specific lord).

The trailer initiates by showcasing an unnamed individual, who appears to be one of her intended victims, giving a speech that implies some aspects of her narrative. Initially, it suggests that she is pursuing someone or perhaps a gang. Furthermore, his statement hints that every Ronin in this world is chasing after her, implying that Atsu could be an outlaw and might have specific individuals to track down throughout the game.

4 New Setting

An Entirely New Location

The original game was named Ghost of Tsushima, as it was set on the Tsushima Island. In contrast, the upcoming game is titled Ghost of Yotei, which takes place in a completely different location, Hokkaido, which is far from Tsushima. This change is quite significant, considering Tsushima lies in the southwest of Japan, between modern-day Japan and South Korea, while Hokkaido is Japan’s northernmost island, closer to Russia. Essentially, these games are set at opposite ends of Japan, approximately 2000km apart.

It appears that Mount Yotei plays a prominent role in the game, as suggested by the numerous broad shots showcasing it in the trailer. This real-life active volcano, often likened to Mount Fuji due to its striking resemblance, is not just a backdrop but seems to be the central setting of the game itself, given that it’s named Ghost of Yotei, rather than Ghost of Hokkaido as one might expect considering its predecessor. The exact role Mount Yotei will play in the game remains unclear, but its significance is clear from the title alone.

3 Possible Wolf Ally

Ghost Of Yotei May Be Experimenting With Animal Companions

In the upcoming game Ghost of Yotei, it looks like there could be a new character joining forces with the protagonist, Atsu. Unlike Jin in Ghost of Tsushima, who mostly interacted with humans, Atsu seems to have a special bond with animals, as suggested by his relationship with his horse and encounters with foxes and birds. The trailer hints at this continuing with the appearance of a wolf that initially appears hostile but then calmly follows Atsu’s lead, suggesting they might be working together against a common enemy or towards a shared goal.

In the gameplay of Ghost of Tsushima, it appears that one characteristic missing was the presence of an animal companion. However, it looks like this upcoming title will feature a wolf that follows the protagonist, Atsu, throughout the game and possibly responds to commands. The wolf’s main function in combat is likely to support Atsu, but it could potentially serve other purposes as well. It seems that in the trailer, the wolf was shown searching for something, suggesting the possibility of using scent trails. Additionally, there appears to be a deep connection between the wolf and Atsu that will significantly impact the storyline.

2 Change Of Era

There’s a Pretty Wide Time Gap Between Games

An intriguing aspect about the game Ghost of Yotei is that it is not a direct continuation as one might expect. Rather than extending Jin’s story against the Mongols, Sucker Punch decided to leap forward in time for this spin-off, and quite noticeably so. The original game, Ghost of Tsushima , was set in 1274, while Ghost of Yotei is situated in the year 1603, a gap of approximately 329 years. To give you an idea of how significant this time jump is, let’s consider it in terms of British monarchs. In 1274, we find ourselves just after the demise of Henry III and Edward I’s ascension (the one who would later clash with William Wallace). Fast forward to 1603, and that’s the same year Elizabeth I passed away. This time gap would have seen Britain go through 12 kings, two queens, the Hundred Years War, and the Wars of the Roses.

This decision seems intriguing as it suggests a fresh narrative direction. Instead of focusing on a direct story connection, the creators seem to be emphasizing thematic similarities with “Ghost of Tsushima,” particularly the supernatural aspect and the feudal Japan setting. The trailer hints that this change will influence gameplay, specifically by allowing the character Atsu to utilize early firearms such as a flintlock musket, which is evident from one scene.

1 New Antagonists

We Don’t Know Who the Antagonists Are, But We Know Who They Are Not

In “Ghost of Tsushima,” the story unfolds during the actual Mongol invasion of Tsushima Island, but its main adversary, Khotun Khan, was a fictional character. A significant aspect of the game revolves around the Mongols understanding and manipulating the samurai code of honor in their war strategies, making Jin Sakai successful by outsmarting them. This created an engaging narrative that raised questions about what constituted honor on the battlefield. However, it’s clear that the Mongols would not serve as antagonists in “Ghost of Yotei.” The Mongol Empire came to an end due to a succession crisis leading to the Toulid Civil War between 1260-1264 AD, causing the empire to split into several smaller empires. “Ghost of Yotei” is set in 1603 CE, over 300 years later, so unless Sucker Punch chose to significantly alter the timeline, it’s impossible for the Mongol Empire to return in this game.

In “Ghost of Yotei,” it seems that the main adversaries aren’t clearly defined at first, but there are subtle hints. The story begins with a speech from an injured man, who may be a Ronin, having just lost a duel against Atsu. Since he dies by her hand and their encounter appears to be under less-than-friendly circumstances, it’s reasonable to assume he could be one of the antagonists. Additionally, Atsu is shown pursuing someone, with other Ronin also targeting her. This setup suggests a tale of revenge, where Atsu is portrayed as an outlaw or fugitive. By piecing together these elements, it appears that instead of an external force, the narrative will focus on Atsu battling corrupt lords within Japan, possibly positioning her as a Robin Hood-like character fighting for the downtrodden.

One detail some fans have noted is the scroll Atsu is seen holding in both the trailer and the cover art. The scroll seems to contain six Japanese characters, and there are six swords visible in the cover art. A popular, though unconfirmed, theory suggests the scroll is a hit list, and Atsu will spend the game pursuing these targets, which also supports the idea of a revenge or vigilante quest.

2024-10-02 09:14