The Last of Us Would Be Remiss Not to Track Ghost of Yotei’s Footprints

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As a seasoned gamer with over three decades under my belt, I can confidently say that the recent announcement of Ghost of Yotei has me absolutely thrilled! Sucker Punch has always been a studio I admire for their creativity and dedication to crafting immersive worlds, and this new direction for the Ghost franchise is nothing short of genius.

The Ghost of Yotei was recently unveiled during the latest State of Play event. It’s one of the few first-party PlayStation studio games that hadn’t received any updates in a while. The highly anticipated trailer didn’t fail to impress, as it introduced a new character, Atsu, in a fresh setting: the sequel’s titular Mount Yotei and its surrounding landscapes.

Apart from sharing a character who adopts a Ghost persona, similarities between the stories of “Ghost of Yotei” and “Ghost of Tsushima” seem scarce based on what we know so far. It’s uncertain if this was the original plan for the IP, but Sucker Punch’s decision to transition now for the sequel demonstrates a remarkable level of foresight. The “Ghost” franchise is no longer limited by a single, static narrative or protagonist, which makes it more dynamic and versatile – a lesson that “The Last of Us” could benefit from considering before it misses its opportunity to do so.

Ghost of Yotei Branching Out Extends the IP’s Shelf Life Astronomically

The spirit of Yotei might be reimagining the backstory of the Ghost character, potentially transforming the Ghost series into an anthology that could continue indefinitely as long as it introduces new main characters, settings, and historical periods to explore. Jin and Atsu may simply be two among many Ghosts, and the longevity of the franchise would depend on Sucker Punch’s ability to keep creating heartfelt samurai/ronin narratives set in stunning landscapes.

With the experience gained from working on Tsushima, Sucker Punch is now given the opportunity to reshape the narrative of its Ghost IP, enhancing or incorporating elements into Yotei that they wished they could have in Tsushima. This continuous improvement process allows each new entry to immerse players in breathtaking Japanese environments while presenting unique stories and introducing fresh gameplay mechanics. In this way, every installment carries a distinct mark of its own to set it apart from the rest.

Jin was an exceptional main character, but clinging too tightly to him and trying to further develop him in a sequel might have weakened his character development. Alternatively, introducing Atsu as a mystery could be more intriguing, given that we know very little about her at this point, except for the weapons she possesses.

The Last of Us is Wilting While Anchored to Joel and Ellie

It’s not a stretch to say that Naughty Dog consistently excels at crafting deeply personal, character-focused narratives and conversations, making it no wonder that “The Last of Us” has deeply immersed players in the lives of Joel and Ellie.

It’s a double-edged sword that Naughty Dog characters are so skillfully crafted, as it leaves fans yearning for sequels, either to provide closure or further their stories. For instance, Joel’s death in The Last of Us Part 2 stirred intense reactions, considering he had only appeared in one other game but managed to garner such affection. Consequently, a third game is likely to reappear featuring Ellie, aiming to wrap up her story arc.

Neil Druckmann’s admission that there “may be one more chapter” for The Last of Us appears overly restrictive in a series with the potential for countless captivating tales, each focusing on characters whose heart-wrenching experiences and connections amid a chilling post-apocalyptic landscape make for compelling storytelling. Unlike Ghost of Yotei, which changes its title to regenerate itself, The Last of Us doesn’t need to alter its essence to continue thriving.

Instead, it could simply focus on allocating episodes for tales about various characters and locations, without tying the series to Joel and Ellie’s adventures. Interestingly, The Last of Us’ online multiplayer game might have provided the opportunity to do this before its cancellation, leaving no guarantee that other characters will receive their own spotlight in The Last of Us Part 3 or beyond.

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2024-12-01 15:23