Thanks to the dedicated play of the play showcase, focusing solely on gameplay, I watched Yotai’s Ghost again.
Hosted by Jason Connell and Nate Fox, Creative Directors of Sucker Punch Productions, the stream showed off less than 20 minutes of new gameplay, highlighting the quest for the revenge hero against Youtei Six, who plundered the village and murdered his family.
The story of revenge
It’s a relatively simple revenge story and you’ll probably think it’s familiar to fans of Tsushima’s Ghost, the first game. Still, this sequel works together to flesh out ATU’s past by ensuring that players have access to memories at any time.
By pressing the button, players can access Atsu’s past while in a particular area, allowing players to better understand her motivations through connections they once shared with family and friends. It looks incredibly seamless, and although I can’t imagine this feature being accessible at any time, it’s certainly a welcome addition.
Ghost of Yōtei allows players to create their own experiences with their favorite PlayStyle in mind, based on exploring, combat, or simply moving through the story.
The interaction provides clues configured around a new card system that encourages you to explore new areas of the map. When pursuing these opportunities, each will explore new places with their encounters and new abilities that ATSU learn.
The legendary warrior
ATSU has cultivated a reputation as Onryou, the legendary Japanese ghost, so it feels like it’s moving you in some way. Making a name for yourself can attract tougher enemies and even put a nice bounty on your head for a good measure. That being said, Atsu can even corner her awards for the cash on the side.
ATSU can also track open world reflection altars to unlock new abilities and buy traveler maps from cartographers.
But beyond all this, ATSU can pull out spyglasses, identify places of interest, and enjoy the ride at your own pace through the gorgeous countryside.
The art of blades
ATSUs will now be able to use a set of unique range and melee weapons, each with effectiveness against a particular enemy type. Weapons can also be switched on the spot, but can be dropped if the ATSU is hit by a hard strike. However, on the other hand, ATSU can also disarm enemies with surprising attacks.
If that’s not enough, ATSU will meet some allies on her journey. This includes a mysterious wolf who can help her in combat and allow her to confront two enemies at once.
Ezo Star
ATSU can set up camps to cook food and prepare for future preparations, but it can also bring important characters in your way. All of this contributes to the Wolf Pack of the ATU, an ally group. Camps can take these allies to her if unique upgrades or items are offered.
ATSU can also track a new set of new armor and weapon upgrades that will help you buff your playstyle if you want to prioritize silence and stealth or sword collision combat.
Composer Toma Otova has also created a great score that infuses both Eastern and Western influences.
Your experience
There is a standard experience with English voice acting, but Yotei’s Ghost presents a genuine experience with Japanese full voice acting and lip sync with subtitles.
The influence of acclaimed director Kurosawa Akira is once again felt with his dedicated Kurosaki modes and film grain filters in black and white.
Takahashi, director of the 13 Assassins, takes the camera even closer to ATSU during battle, gaining his own mode while increasing the level of mud, blood and goals that come from brawls, blood, cuts and slashes.
Watanabe Island, director of the fantastic Samurai Champuru, even has the mode that brings his low-fik to Yotei’s ghost world as you explore.
We have included a complete State of Playstream and an announcement of the design and bundles of the new PS5 Limited Edition console for your convenience.
Ghost of Yōtei will be released on PlayStation 5 on October 2, 2025.
Special images provided by Sony Interactive Entertainment.
