The Coolest Features In Ghost Of Yotei

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Ghost of Yotei is a sequel to Ghost of Tsushima, taking place hundreds of years later on a brand-new island called Ezo. It appears Sucker Punch is planning to turn this into a series of standalone stories, which is a smart move rather than repeatedly featuring the same character. This next installment centers around Atsu, a young female samurai, who is seeking revenge on the samurai who murdered her family and left her for dead long ago.

The situation in Ghost of Yotei is reminiscent of Jin’s story in Ghost of Tsushima, except without the Mongol invasion. While there are parallels, Ghost of Yotei introduces several neat new features as a sequel. These additions aren’t as groundbreaking as those in the original game, but they’re enjoyable to play with.

Zeni Hajiki

A Great Mini-Game

A fun new mini-game called Zeni Hajiki has been added to Ghost of Yotei. Players flip large coins on a table that often has obstacles, like cups, set up as a course. The aim is to knock coins off one by one until none remain, or until you earn enough points. If you slide a coin off the table, your turn ends and your opponent gets a point. However, hitting multiple coins with a single flip ends your turn without penalty. It’s just as captivating as the Queen’s Blood card game in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth.

Skipping Certain Mini-Games

From Grilling To Smithing

Besides those more engaging options, there are several other, less addictive mini-games, such as activities found at camp. Players can start a fire by quickly flicking stones, or prepare food by flipping fish and mushrooms. Fortunately, both of these can be made easier in the settings, or skipped entirely if desired. Blacksmithing, another mini-game available outside of camp, can also be bypassed; it’s the system players use to upgrade weapons in Ghost of Yotei, including the Wolf Blade.

The Photo Mode

It’s Not New, But It’s Great

As a gamer, I have to say Sucker Punch really nailed photo modes with Ghost of Tsushima, and they’ve brought that same skill to Ghost of Yotei. Honestly, it’s just as fun to play around with and get those perfect shots as it was before. They’ve definitely proven they’re masters at this!

It’s arguably even more impressive in the second game, with stunning graphics on the PS5, particularly when exploring the various areas. Whether you’re scaling snowy mountain tops or relaxing on beaches with realistic waves, there’s plenty to capture and enjoy in photo mode.

Standoffs

And Staged Duels

Returning from the last game, Standoffs let players approach camps in different ways. You can sneak in quietly and eliminate enemies from hiding, or challenge them to a direct confrontation at the camp entrance. Getting the first strike looks impressive and helps players feel more connected to the world of samurai action. Duels are another key part of the combat system, adding to the game’s cinematic feel. They usually happen against important enemies during story missions or when completing bounty requests in Ghost of Yotei.

Learning New Weapons

Could Have Used A Montage

This game introduces new weapons for Atsu, expanding beyond the bow and katana seen in the original. Instead of simply finding weapons, players will learn to use them by completing missions. These aren’t just tasks, though – they feature well-written stories that make the learning process enjoyable rather than tedious.

It was a clever choice to have Atsu master weapons by completing challenges, instead of simply providing her with a new weapon and finishing her training. For instance, in Ghost of Yotei, the Dual Katanas are earned through training with the skilled master Hanbei.

Leveling Up In Nontraditional Ways

For Those Who Enjoy Less Combat

This game isn’t a traditional RPG, such as Ghost of Tsushima, but it does include ways to enhance Atsu’s abilities. For instance, players can visit Altar of Reflection locations to unlock new skills.

Visiting bamboo forests will boost Atsu’s spirit, allowing her to use a variety of skills for both attack and defense. While it does involve finding specific locations across the open world to become more powerful, this system is a welcome change from simply defeating enemies and grinding for experience points. It’s a more engaging way to progress than the usual gameplay loop. Finding these spots is key to unlocking her full potential.

Following Animals

Secrets Around Every Corner

Players can discover upgrade points simply by exploring, finding maps, or receiving tips from characters they meet. A particularly neat way to locate these upgrades is with the help of animal companions, so a quality sound system or headphones is highly recommended.

If you find a fox, it will guide you to its den, where you can find items like accessories or upgrades. Wolves will take you into combat, allowing you to learn new wolf abilities. But the most helpful creature is the Golden Bird, which can lead you to Ghost of Yotei‘s many features – everything from relaxing hot springs to finding the other animals we mentioned.

Kurosawa Mode Gets Some Rivals

Play With New Directors

The initial game offered a Kurosawa Mode, changing the visuals to black and white. This mode was a tribute to the renowned Japanese filmmaker, Akira Kurosawa, who is best known for classics such as Seven Samurai and Rashomon.

The game will receive two new visual styles to enhance the experience in Ghost of Yotei. Named after director Takashi Miike, Miike Mode will make combat more visceral with increased gore and mud. Watanabe Mode, inspired by anime director Shinichiro Watanabe, features lo-fi music similar to the soundtrack of his well-known anime, Samurai Champloo, which famously blended hip-hop and samurai themes.

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2025-10-05 17:05