The successor to the critically acclaimed Ghost of Tsushima is finally here. But with a new setting, a new hero, and a new time period, can Ghost of Yotei deliver on all the anticipation? The answer is a resounding yes.
Set in 1600s rural Japan, Ghost of Yotei is a beautiful, fierce, and ultimately extraordinary game to play. It takes place some 300 years after the events of Tsushima, though as a standalone game, you don't need any prior experience with the former to enjoy it.
You play as Atsu, a mercenary haunted by the violent death of her family. Having spent a period of time fighting down south, she returns to Northern Japan with one mission – revenge. While Atsu might seem one-dimensional at the start, her journey across the game’s lengthy campaign will ultimately transform her into a new, genre-defining warrior.
Initially a lone wolf, Atsu is obsessed with tracking down those responsible for ruining her life. With no real moral code, she will kill her target whenever and if ever she can. Quickly, her actions earn the title of 'onryō’, a vengeful spirit that becomes a folk legend with the citizens of Ezo. The mention of her strikes fear in the hearts of those who previously thought themselves untouchable.
But a lone wolf can only do so much.
Over the course of the game, Atsu learns that she must form her own pack if she is to succeed against the Yotei six and their leader, Lord Saito. By joining forces with unlikely allies, she becomes a multidimensional person who must learn to balance her thirst for justice with forging a new, hopeful future.
She begins to think the impossible - is there life after revenge?
Easily one of the most beautiful video games ever
With picturesque wildflower meadows, spiralling rivers and foreboding mountain ranges that never quite leave the background, Ghost of Yotei is one of, if not the most beautiful, games I've ever played.
To think you get to explore every inch of the world in front of you? It is simply spellbinding to consider. And every new region you venture into within the game will reignite your curiosity anew. This is one of the few open-world games where exploring was an absolute and unquestionable joy.
Whether you’re thundering across fields on horseback or travelling across craggy cliff faces on foot, your eyes will always be hungry for what's on screen. It could be the beautiful blooms of flowers and swarms of butterflies that surround you, the flocks of chatty birds in the distance, or even the splatter of blood you've left after a fight, transforming a muted scene into red; every little section of the game promises some sort of immersive detail that transports you into the scene.
As an open-world game, Yotei brings back many of the elements that made Tsushima a fun game to explore. Every little patch on your undiscovered map promises some sort of reward when exploring. From paying homage at altars to learn new skills, painting tranquil scenes, following foxes to find lucky charms, or taking a dip in a hot spring to increase your health, you’re rewarded endlessly, never once punished for investing your time in wandering.
Some areas will be easily accessible and visible from a distance. You simply walk up to them, take what you need, and move on. But others are placed secretly atop cliffs, or hidden deep within caves, forcing you down a rabbit hole to locate a passageway, where you’ll lose all sense of time.
Every location you visit becomes a fast-travel option, and believe me when I say, there are no loading screens in this game. If you want to teleport across the entire game, you can do so in a mere blink. By the end of your journey, any area of the game is reachable in just a second.
A new warrior rises in a heartbreaking story of revenge
While I won’t spoil the many narrative surprises of the game, an undeniable feminist theme runs parallel to the game’s story. As a woman, Atsu is initially looked down upon by many of the warriors she faces. And yet, as she builds up her profile as the onryō, she becomes a serious threat across Ezo. There is also a cast of other female characters, whose stories help flesh out the perception and role of women at the time. As heartbreaking as they are inspiring, these stories become the shining moments of the supporting story.
Many might assume that Atsu is too preoccupied with hunting down six shady figures to develop as anything other than a vengeful spirit. And at the start, that rings true. However, unexpected twists are introduced that flesh out her as a character. She is like her predecessor, Jin Sakai, only in reverse, as she begins to learn a moral code over the course of the game.
In time, she faces her grief head-on, rediscovering family traditions, however painful they might be. She reignites her love of music to honour her mother. She paints, in tribute to her father. It really does feel as if she is a blank canvas, and the course of the game fills her with colour. As such, the once stoic warrior becomes a hero we can all root for by the end. The symbolic lone wolf that follows her from the shadows yearns for company.
Dynamic combat is brimming with strategy and excitement
As an action game, Ghost of Yotei spares no expense in entertaining you through endless waves of combat. It is explosive, cinematic, and every skirmish you partake in will have you feeling like a true warrior. As Atsu's profile grows across Ezo, you’ll regularly be attacked while travelling, so keeping your wits (and weapons) sharp is essential.
There are several weapon masters scattered throughout the game. By training with them, you can unlock new weapon types, expand your catalogue of killer techniques, and amplify the game’s fun to no end.
Once learned, Atsu can change weapons mid-fight with incredible ease and fluidity, allowing you to switch fighting styles to match that of your opponent. It’s like a rock, paper, scissors system where each weapon has advantages and disadvantages over others; knowing when to use a particular weapon is key to staggering foes, disarming them, and ultimately executing them.
The katana is Atsu’s bread and butter, useful in almost every scenario. Eventually, she’ll learn to wield dual katanas for quick combos, as well as the formidable odachi, a long-reaching yari spear, and my personal favourite, the kusarigama, a chain and sickle that can smash shields and slice flesh in unison.
Long-range combat is just as important (and exciting) in Ghost of Yotei, including quickfire tools like smoke bombs and kunai to fulfil your shinobi fantasy, as well as an assortment of bows and a tanegashima (gun), with different types of ammo to introduce more strategy to every second of a fight.
That said, if I’m honest, some of these weapon masters are placed deeper into the story than I would have liked. And if you spend too long in the initial areas exploring, you’ll no doubt hunger for more options when fighting.
My advice? Check your map for hints on the whereabouts of these legendary weapon masters, and seek them out first. Not only will you be able to best the game’s increasing challenge, but you’ll also unlock Atsu’s ferocious potential.
A genre-defining game for the PlayStation 5
The pressure was always going to be immense for Ghost of Yotei. Set in feudal Japan, there are just so many recent games that cover this time period. The genre is at capacity.
What's more, it is the successor of the critically acclaimed Ghost of Tsushima, and fans, including myself, were initially upset to see the original’s story and hero come to a close. How could anyone live up to the feats of predecessor Jin Sakai?
And yet, my fears were unfounded.
Ghost of Yotei is a tour de force. From its ethereal environments to the intricate combat system, the game strikes an impossible balance between open-world exploration and action-adventure. All the while, the rich history and charm of Japan are front and centre.
Protagonist Atsu is a slow-burner. While she may not start off as complicated (or indeed likeable), as Jin, give her time. Over the course of the story, this lone wolf will develop into a true hero before your eyes.
Players should expect indescribable beauty, a vast, expansive world to explore, and visceral combat blended throughout. Ghost of Yotei is simply an unmissable adventure.
Ghost of Yotei is available to play on PlayStation 5 from October 2nd
