PlayStation’s next marquee exclusive is Sucker Punch Productions’Ghost of Yōtei, the long-awaited and highly anticipated indirect sequel to 2020’sGhost of Tsushima. While the five-year gap has resulted in a surprisingly similar game,Ghost of Yōteistill makes some compelling and impactful changes to the formula laid down byGhost of Tsushima.
Jin Sakai’s moral quandaries surrounding noble violence during the Mongol invasion of Tsushima are usurped by Atsu’s story of revenge against those who murdered her family. Far removed from the island of Tsushima,the sequel takes place around Mount Yōtei, located in the southwestern region of Hokkaido, the island known as Ezo duringGhost of Yōtei’s time period, the early 17th century.
Tsushima’s Journal Is Now Yōtei’s Wolf Pack Menu
A More Personable Quest Log
Despite its novel quest marker system, having players follow the wind and various creatures to points of interest,Ghost of Tsushimafeatured a rather plain quest log. The simple menu showing all active storylines has been replaced inGhost of Yōteiwith the Wolf Pack menu.
According to theGhost of YōteiState of Play,this new menu is to reinforce the game’s character-centric narratives, making sure all of Atsu’s acquaintances are spotlighted throughout. From the Wolf Pack menu you’ll see which characters have new information or objectives for you, alongside gorgeous artwork of each.
Camping Brings Important Characters To Atsu
And Has Other Benefits
To further expand on the Wolf Pack idea,Ghost of Yōteilets Atsu set up camp wherever her adventure takes her. You can play Atsu’s shamisen and cook over the open fire, but the most transformative feature of Atsu’s camp appears to be its visitors.
The figures from the Wolf Pack menu will appear in campto offer you new items, upgrades, or quest objectives. This seems like it will help keep new side stories rolling in constantly, rather than requiring you to seek out a specific location in Ezo every time you want to speak with someone.
Ghost Of Yōtei Releases With Japanese Audio Lip Sync
A Director’s Cut Addition To Tsushima
The State of Play also confirmed thatGhost of Yōteiwill launch with Japanese audio lip sync. A Japanese voice track was available inTsushimaat its release, but the character models' mouths still moved as if they were speaking English.Tsushimafixed this with itsDirector’s Cutrelease on PS5.
This will likely not be of importance to most Western players who pick upYōtei, but it’s an incredibly important gesture. The series owes its entire identity to Japanese culture, and withTsushima’s popularity in Japan, audio lip sync was an important addition. It’s a very respectful move by Sucker Punch to ensure Japanese audio lip sync is inGhost of Yōteifrom day one.
Miike & Watanabe Modes
Join Kurosawa Mode
Alongside thereturn of Kurosawa Mode,Ghost of Yōteiis introducing two new atmosphere conversion settings: Miike Mode and Watanabe Mode. The former is in partnership with director Takashi Miike, known for films such asIchi the Killerand13 Assassins. Miike’s trademark graphic violence influences Miike Mode, which features more blood effects, as well as increased mud splattter and a closer camera perspective.
The State of Play cites Shinichirō Watanabe’sSamurai Champloo, but the anime director is likely more widely known forCowboy Bebop. Regardless, Watanabe Mode adapts the director’s signature sound to add lo-fi music toGhost of Yōteiin both exploration and combat.
Atsu Has More Weapons At Her Disposal Than Jin
Kusarigama, Odachi, & More
Jin Sakai utilizes a set of stances inGhost of Tsushimato confront different enemy types – a system that has expanded to different weaponry inGhost of Yōtei. Atsu still uses a katana (and can even dual wield two of them), but also has access toweapons like ōdachi, kusarigama, and even a matchlock rifle.
WhileGhost of Tsushimais well within the realm of historical fiction, rifles would have broken the illusion of the game taking place in 1274, since the hinawajū, or tanegashima, was introduced to Japan in the mid-16th century.Tsushimawas renowned for the grace it brought to its katana combat, so hopefully all the weapons inYōteiwill be similarly striking.
Ghost Of Yōtei Has More Customization Options
One Stylish Ghost
As a byproduct of introducing more weapon types,Ghost of Yōteiwill seemingly have more customization.Tsushimahad plenty of customization, letting you choose a style for your katana and tanto, and another for your bow, in addition to various outfits with alternate color schemes to choose from, butYōteiappears to simply include more options.
The State of Play showed ōdachi and kusarigama customization screens, and was sure to focus on many different outfits that specialize Atsu’s abilities towards distinct play styles. Although the clips were not exhaustive,Yōteialready has an impressive variety of armor, outfits, and headpieces.
Ghost Of Yōtei’s Main Quest Is Non-Linear
Player Agency Is Key
WhileGhost of Tsushimaexcelled in immersive exploration thanks to the Guiding Wind, its main story was still rather structured. The main quests were done in a set sequence, broken into a classic three-act structure.Yōteiappears to be mixing this up quite a bit, letting you follow whichever lead is most compelling.
Atsu’s primary goal is to hunt down and exact revenge on the Yōtei Six, those responsible for killing her family 16 years prior to when the game takes place.These six primary targets can be found in any order, depending on which main story threads you decide to follow first inGhost of Yōtei.
A New Clue System Drives Emergent Stories Throughout Ghost Of Yōtei
See What’s In The Cards
As part ofGhost of Yōtei’s emergent narrative focus, a clue system has been implemented.Various activities, including talking to NPCs and interrogating enemies, will give Atsu a clue, presented in-game as a card. These cards contain information that will lead you to a wide variety of objectives.
An interrogation was spotlighted in the State of Play, showing that Atsu could ask about the Oni, the Kitsune – two of the Yōtei Six – or an undisclosed third option. The clues seem to be used throughout the main quests, but also for side quests and other side content.
Atsu’s Spyglass Can Direct The Guiding Wind
An Immersive Upgrade
While the Guiding Wind helped lead you to objectives without a mini-map or compass inGhost of Tsushima, it didn’t necessarily solve the problem of frequently checking the map to select the next objective. This will be at least partially addressed by Atsu’s spyglass inGhost of Yōtei, which operates much like the Sheikah Slate’s scope inThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
Aiming the spyglass at a prominent landmark will let you select it as your destination, which you’ll then be directed toward by the Guiding Wind.Ghost of Yōteiseems to have a keen emphasis on taking the game at your own pace, and using the spyglass will certainly help the game feel like a naturally unfolding adventure.
You Can Earn Money By Completing Bounties
A Classic Video Game Activity
Some often-seen open-world fare is coming toGhost of Yōtei: bounty hunting. It’s a classic video game trope, letting players hunt down a target for monetary gain. It would have fit right intoTsushima’s samurai story if the Mongol invasion hadn’t taken precedence, but feels right at home with Atsu being a rōnin.
This region of Ezo appears to be in relative disarray under the thumb of Lord Saitō, leader of the Yōtei Six.The bounty system appears to lead to unique encounters, with one shown featuring Black Poweder Ippei, who defends his camp with a rudimentary mortar system, and another involving Crow Genzo, the duel against whom takes place in a crow-infested field of flowers.
Ghost of Yōteiis very much a clear sequel toGhost of Tsushima, but it appears to be taking significant strides in many areas to introduce new gameplay opportunities.
Source:PlayStation/YouTube
Ghost of Yotei
Set in 1603 around Mount Yōtei in Hokkaido, players control Atsu, a wandering female warrior who takes on the mantle of “The Ghost.” As she navigates the snowy tundras and dangerous wilderness, Atsu seeks to restore her family’s honor, while confronting enemies and forging her own path through difficult choices.
