Ghost of Yotei review – Another must-play PlayStation epic

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Ghost of Yotei offers breathtaking scenery, memorable characters, and a combat system that’s a significant improvement over the first game – it’s faster, more brutal, and features more options. This is Sucker Punch Productions’ samurai story at its peak.

After how well *Ghost of Tsushima* did, I figured the next game would be more of the same, you know? That story with Jin Sakai was amazing, a real PlayStation classic. But Sucker Punch surprised me – instead of just giving us more Ghost action, they actually took a chance and went in a different direction, which I totally respect.

The sequel takes place over 300 years after the original, introducing a new hero, a harsh new world to discover, and updated weapons and gameplay. It’s a bold step, but fans can rest easy – Ghost of Yotei doesn’t just live up to the standards of the first game, it frequently exceeds them.

Ghost of Yotei screenshots

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What is Ghost of Yotei about?

You take on the role of Atsu, a warrior who returns to her home country of Ezo seeking vengeance. Sixteen years prior, her family was murdered by the Yotei Six, a group led by Saito, who has since gained control of the region through force and cruelty.

Atsu needs to eliminate each of the Yotei Six individually to get to Lord Saito. To do so, she transforms into an Onryo-a relentless spirit driven by a thirst for revenge against those who harmed her family.

Bloody addictive combat

Many players felt that Ghost of Tsushima didn’t offer enough different weapons. Although the various combat stances added complexity, repeatedly using Jin’s katana against waves of enemies made the fighting feel repetitive and simplistic, despite the weapon’s sharpness.

To make gameplay more exciting, Sucker Punch has significantly expanded the weapons available in the game, giving players more options than ever before. Unleashing your creativity and combat skills now feels incredibly satisfying.

Battles feel strategic and engaging because of Yotei’s unique weapon system. It’s designed like rock-paper-scissors, prompting you to constantly change between the five different weapons to counter what your opponent is doing.

Fighting can be challenging, and at first, I just rushed in swinging my sword. But once I got the hang of it, battles transformed into a fluid, almost peaceful experience, despite the chaos and violence.

One second you’re swiftly defeating enemies with dual katanas, the next you’re shattering their defenses with a kusurigama, and then you’re finishing off a powerful, armored opponent with a large odachi sword.

The game now features a dynamic new throwing system, letting Atsu toss empty sake bottles, spears, and even weapons dropped by enemies for powerful attacks. A wolf companion further adds to the chaotic and unpredictable nature of combat.

Atsu’s animal companion sometimes shows up during battles and playfully helps out in shootouts. It hilariously jumps on enemies, taking them down, and can even rescue you from a fatal hit. It’s not realistic, but it’s a lot of fun!

Battles aren’t just about hitting things; enemies often caught me off guard, forcing me to drop my weapon and quickly try to retrieve it.

Saito’s enemies don’t just take turns attacking – they’re relentless and actively chase you down with a flurry of attacks. This makes the combat in Yotei much more exciting and forces you to think strategically. Overall, the combat is more intense, visceral, and improved over previous games.

Colorful characters, a flatter story

Atsu’s journey through Ezo is filled with interesting people, much like the game Ghost of Tsushima. She’ll meet characters like Taro, a young man who always seems to appear after fights, and Ina, a woman who loves explosives. Atsu will even train with weapon masters, going through challenges similar to those seen in Demon Slayer.

The story doesn’t just focus on the main characters; even smaller roles are well-developed and memorable. A particularly interesting example is a reformed criminal now working as a somewhat dubious priest, and another is a grumpy mapmaker charting the lands of Ezo.

Although Atsu’s desire for revenge is interesting, it doesn’t feel as emotionally powerful as Jin’s story in Ghost of Tsushima. Jin’s journey was compelling because it explored his inner conflict between staying true to his principles, upholding his honor, and simply trying to survive, which made his revenge feel more meaningful.

Compared to Tsushima’s story, Atsu’s journey feels simpler and more direct. While her reasons for acting are understandable, her actions don’t always feel as rewarding. Fortunately, the characters around her, particularly Yotei’s supporting cast, add the humor and depth that Atsu’s story sometimes misses, preventing it from feeling empty.

Beautiful environments with more freedom

Even though the Ghost of Yotei’s setting, the Ezo region, isn’t very large – about the size of Tsushima Island – it’s remarkably detailed and visually impressive. Each area, from the golden fields of the Grasslands to the icy landscapes of Teshio Ridge, is beautifully rendered.

The incredible range of plants, animals, and scenery kept me taking pictures constantly – it was breathtaking, like a really enthusiastic nature documentarian from centuries ago. It truly was that beautiful.

Ghost of Tsushima was visually impressive when it first came out on the PS4, but the island felt strangely lifeless. Although there were things to do – like freeing Mongol camps, completing Bamboo Strikes, and finding Fox Shrines – it often felt like exploring a beautiful movie set after everyone had left.

Sucker Punch has significantly improved the game’s environments. While familiar charming details like fox shrines and hot springs are still present, there are

You’ll find opportunities like accepting quests at local inns, challenging wolf camps that trigger intense battles, and scenic spots perfect for practicing your ink painting skills – a chance to express your creativity like the famous artist Hokusai.

The game also includes a surprisingly addictive coin-flipping mini-game – I spent hours playing it, often losing as much as I won.

The characters you encounter feel much more realistic now, particularly in towns and camps. They’ll share information about interesting locations and even help you track down your targets. I often found the most rewarding quests by simply listening to what people were talking about – overhearing a problem and then setting out to solve it was a great way to discover new adventures.

Ghost of Yotei gives you the freedom to challenge the Yotei Six – a group of tough minibosses – in any order you like. I was a little worried this might make the game too easy, considering how strong some of their attacks are. But even after leveling up and finding better gear, these fights remained challenging. I still had to carefully time my parries and dodges, or I’d quickly feel the consequences!

Given how much the game focuses on freedom and surviving in the challenging Ezo wilderness, it’s a bit of a letdown that the cooking system isn’t more developed. You can cook simple things like grilled fish and mushrooms, but you can’t hunt animals for food using your bow or rifle, which feels like a missed opportunity.

I’ve noticed fishing rods all around the lakes, but you can’t actually *use* them, which is super weird! Atsu can spearfish, yeah, but there aren’t many fish to catch, and it doesn’t really feel worth the effort. Honestly, the whole fishing thing feels a bit shallow and underdeveloped right now.

Verdict

Though the revenge story in Ghost of Yotei isn’t quite as impactful as the first game, it’s still a thrilling experience. The world of Ezo is beautiful and invites exploration, and the sword fighting is better than ever, with more weapons and intense battles reminiscent of classic Kurosawa films.

Both longtime fans of Ghost of Tsushima and new players will love Ghost of Yotei. Atsu’s story raises the bar for samurai action games and feels like a fantastic next step for the series, potentially setting the direction for future installments.

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2025-09-25 16:20