Should You Play Ghost of Yotei in English or Japanese?

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A major decision players encounter in Ghost of Yotei is selecting their preferred audio language. While English offers a comfortable and well-known experience, the game’s story and setting might lead some to consider choosing the Japanese audio track instead.

Comparing the various audio language choices can be tricky, as a lot depends on what each person likes and how they interpret things. Similar to the English versus Japanese voice acting discussion in Ghost of Tsushima, there are definite differences and things to think about that could sway a player’s preference. Here’s a detailed look.

Should You Play Ghost of Yotei in English or Japanese?

Which VO Option is Best for Atsu?

Ghost of Yotei features professional voice acting in both English and Japanese, and which you prefer is largely a personal choice – neither is definitively superior. As a Western developer, Sucker Punch naturally prioritizes English-speaking players, and this is evident in Ghost of Yotei. However, the game takes place in Edo-period Japan and features a fully Japanese cast. Therefore, the Japanese voice-over is naturally the most authentic in terms of cultural accuracy. Nevertheless, there are still good reasons to choose the English dub.

Specifically, Atsu’s English voice acting (performed by Erika Ishii) is a strong reason to choose this audio track. Her voice quality is fantastic, possessing a deep tone that really fits the character’s personality, reasons for acting, and current emotional state. Because the main character’s voice is the most crucial element of any conversation, players can easily select English over Japanese without feeling like they’re losing anything. However, the English audio for supporting characters and NPCs isn’t quite as strong. At least, not when you compare it to the Japanese version.

Voice overs in Ghost of Yotei can be changed at any time from the pause menu, under Audio.

Ghost of Yotei’s Japanese audio is excellent in every way and truly captures the atmosphere of the game’s setting. The voice of Atsu is provided by Fairouz Ai, a very experienced Japanese voice actress with almost 100 roles to her name. You might know her as Jolyne Cujoh from Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure or Power from Chainsaw Man. What’s even better is that the voices of the other characters Atsu encounters during her adventure fit perfectly with hers, making players feel fully immersed in medieval Japan as they experience the story.

However, many of the conversations with non-player characters (NPCs) in the English version of Ghost of Yotei don’t feel as impactful or realistic as they do in the original Japanese. This is particularly noticeable in minor dialogue and quick lines, which sometimes seem awkward. That said, this difference is most apparent when comparing both versions directly; players who only experience the English version may not even realize it.

A significant advantage of English audio is that you can watch without constantly reading subtitles at the bottom of the screen while following the action. This divided attention can cause you to miss important story moments and key events as they happen.

As a fan, I think one of the biggest differences between watching anime and playing this game is that it really *demands* your attention. It’s an action game, so combat isn’t just about what you see, it’s about how quickly you react. I noticed this especially when playing Ghost of Yotei on the harder difficulties – one wrong move and you’re punished! Normally, I don’t pay much attention to subtitles during a fight, but there are times when they’re actually important. Like, sometimes a civilian will yell for help, or an enemy will warn you about a big attack. If you get distracted by reading those subtitles at the wrong moment, you can end up dying in a really frustrating way. Honestly, I found it was much easier to avoid those deaths if I just chose the English voice-over option.

If you’re not accustomed to watching anime with subtitles and prefer a relaxed experience, English might be a better choice. However, if you want to become completely absorbed in the world of Ghost of Yotei and experience it as genuinely as possible, Japanese is the preferred language.

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2025-10-02 15:56