Ghost of Yōtei review — When a tale becomes legend

I am admittedly a Sucker Punch fanboy. Sly Cooper and inFAMOUS are formative games for me, one for my childhood and the next into adolescence. It stands to reason I’d be all about Ghost of Tsushima when it released, and you’d be right. With Sucker Punch deciding to move forward from Jin Sakai and over three hundred years into the future, I wouldn’t be in the wrong to wonder if lightning could strike twice. Now that I’ve played and completed Ghost of Yōtei, I can confirm that Sucker Punch knew exactly what they were doing in crafting this outstanding new chapter, and one that will stick with me for quite some time.

Taking place in the Edo Period (also known as the Tokugawa period, the year 1600 to 1868), Ghost of Yōtei’s central protagonist is Atsu, a young woman plagued by grief and loneliness. Years earlier, her parents and brother met a grim fate as a gang known as the Yōtei Six murdered them and left Atsu for dead. There’s much more to the why of these circumstances than meets the eye, but in Atsu’s return to her home, she vows revenge on each and every one of these masked villains.

Atsu’s journey starts abruptly, with instant retaliation on The Snake, one of the Yōtei Six, as soon as she comes back to Ezo (where Ghost of Yōtei is set). Sucker Punch doesn’t pull any punches, thrusting you right into the action. This initial confrontation does make several things clear: Atsu is brash in her decision making, not fully up to the task of taking on trained militants, and once she enacts her revenge, she doesn’t care whether she lives or dies.

It’s this first look that makes it tough to engage with her plight, but Sucker Punch masterfully weaves a redemption arc into Ghost of Yōtei as you play. With a button press in specific areas, you're able to step back in time to see what little Atsu went through, setting her somber mood. As her tale continues, however, Atsu doesn’t remain a melancholy individual, learning to not be a slave to her bitterness. This is all earned as she makes her way through the narrative, forming an extremely strong character piece alongside the lore and legend.

I’d argue that Atsu’s adventure is actually stronger than Jin’s; I felt a more intimate connection with her. Sure, Jin’s is still a phenomenal tale, but the “street-level” tone makes Atsu’s conflicts more personal. It felt like Jin was finding himself with the player in tow; we’re finding who Atsu is along the trails. Lord Saito – the main villain of Ghost of Yōtei – has good reason to be upset with Atsu’s family, and that notion drives his personality home. These factors make Ghost of Yōtei’s narrative so engaging, with my investment in Atsu’s character growing with each beat. Ghost of Yōtei brings you closer to its characters, and in the best ways possible.

Speaking of characters, the supporting cast is a big win on both sides. Atsu’s “wolf pack” is great, with two exceptional mentions in Jubei and Lady Onyuki as stellar companions for our vigilante. Similarly, each of the Yōtei Six have incredible arcs, with fairly in-depth expeditions that dive not only into their lore, but also Atsu herself. They say that the journey might be the friends you made along the way, but Ghost of Yōtei is best defined by the quality of its heroes and villains.

Throughout the game’s three acts I noticed a few specific traits to the narrative of Ghost of Yōtei. The first act is all about discovery. Similar to games like Elden Ring or The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – although not nearly as difficult or obtuse – it’s up to you to uncover the story of Ghost of Yōtei. There are a few initial markers, but Atsu must engage with the populace of Ezo and the outlaws hunting her down in order to pinpoint where to look for the other Yōtei Six members. While it was initially intimidating, once you get the hang of it, you enjoy exploring each nook and cranny, searching for the environmental indicators you’ll remember from Ghost of Tsushima.

The second act is where Atsu cements herself as a formidable character, with the appearances of Jubei and Lady Onyuki adding even more oomph to the adventure. I’m very impressed with the emotion you feel behind the conversations, with more than one interaction where you can sense tension, sorrow, regret, and occasionally merriment. These projections of tone keep Ghost of Yōtei fresh and add spirit to the dialogue. We see Atsu as Atsu in these missions, not just a depressed, lonely avenger.

While it ends in bombastic fashion, act three was a bit too predictable for my tastes. Sucker Punch didn’t play things safe, but I could tell where they wanted to go from the end of the second act onward. It’s still well-told, with heartfelt and heartwrenching themes that cap off Atsu’s tale. I also have to take a moment and tip my hat to whoever came up with how you go back to finish up tasks you’ve left undone, it’s genius.

Of course, the land of Ezo is much more than just the tale of the onryō (Atsu’s ghostly designation from her enemies). It’s huge, with many varied locations, like the snow-covered hills and valleys of Teshio Ridge, or the rice fields of Ishikari Plain. As you wander the Japanese frontier, you’ll encounter settlers, families, and more, with a few looking for a helping hand. For a price, Atsu is willing to help, and in some cases you’ll walk away with not only coin or gear, but a fantastic tale as well.

For instance, the Crimson Kimono takes you to a mother tree, where snow sculptures depicting a mother and daughter have been crafted. This heartbreaking story involves a girl losing her mother to a drunken father, and having to deal with the consequences of killing him and being on the run from his benefactors. As you unravel the account and find clues as to what has happened to her, you’ll do some climbing and engage with a few enemies along the way. This was one of my favorite quests in Ghost of Yōtei, along with the Crimson Kimono itself which gave me some stealth benefits.

Littered around the map will be many of the same tasks you’ll remember from Tsushima, like bamboo strikes (tameshigiri), shrines, and hot springs. These don’t take much time, but are beneficial to upgrade your health, skill trees, and spirit (new name for resolve). Skill trees haven't changed much from Tsushima, but do provide welcome enhancements to Atsu’s abilities. In particular, chain assassinations and perfect dodge counter attacks are just a few of the many additions you can expect.

You’ll continue to search for fox dens, but a new feature is visiting a wolf den to gain skill points for a new companion. I’ll speak more about that later, but it’s a worthwhile trip. As you traverse the world of Ghost of Yōtei, you’ll also need to liberate camps and locations from Saito’s men, with an occasional chance at finding a leader with a bounty on his head that will be valuable to your purse. Each one of these opens a new fast travel point, which is advantageous given how large Ezo is.

When you enter the main hubs of each of the major areas on the map, you’ll also have the opportunity to take missions from the townsfolk, which usually result in quick jaunts into the wild. There are some good stories here. I also occasionally happened upon someone needing help when in the wilderness. Although at times, it was an ambush by rōnin that wanted a cut of the price on Atsu’s head. As your renown grows, so does Atsu’s bounty, which makes the plains even more dangerous than they already are.

Also in the towns is a chance to upgrade most of your gear. Thankfully, most of the crafting materials are more generally categorized than before, so collecting bamboo falls into a wood category, and so do flowers. Lessening the strict upgrade paths made me engage with the system more, eventually upgrading every weapon, my armor, and much of the utility Atsu comes to acquire. There's also a ton of customization through dyes and kits available, so your Atsu will have her own flair.

Acquiring all of the tools necessary to take out the Yōtei Six is one of the best parts of the game. In Ghost of Tsushima, you’d change stances with your katana, but not in Ghost of Yōtei. Atsu being a more raw fighter, she employs a full arsenal of new weapons and utility. To get it, however, you’ll need to scour Ezo, meeting with different masters and training with them to receive each item. Similar to the Yōtei Six missions, these are intricate and give you insight into the masters behind the armaments. Even better, there are requests from said masters to go further than just obtaining your gear, with tasks that unlock not only more of the weapon’s skill, but also a bonus skin for your mastery.

Utility is another story, with you either ending up with it during a mission or hearing rumors of it from someone you encounter. You could also just stumble on it like I did. I walked into a sake establishment and went to help a blind man get home to his wife. Suddenly, I was attacked, and it turns out this was all a trick. In a duel where I got the better of my assailant, I was given a blinding powder called metsubushi that I could throw into my opponent's faces – think pocket sand. This was another favorite, and one I organically came across, which made it even better. You’ll eventually get some great new utilities, such as a pistol and an oil which allows you to set your blade ablaze. There are also returning ones, like kunai throwing knives and a bow.

This all makes combat a heck of a lot of fun, even if somewhat iterative. It was already brutal and engaging in Tsushima, but Ghost of Yōtei changes the cadence. In Yōtei, stances are gone, replaced by said full arsenal. When fighting against an enemy wielding a katana, it’s best to use a katana. If you battle against a yari or spear, you need that second katana to come out. While Sucker Punch doesn’t force you to do so – any enemy’s block can eventually be broken – it goes faster if you pull out the appropriate counterweapon. In the end, these are still kind of a form of stances, but a more engaging translation. My personal favorite is the kusarigama, a hooked blade on a chain with a heavy counterweight on the other end that you can swing from a distance. Smashing shields with its weighted ball end is a joy.

Figuring out the best ways to take on your foes is a puzzle in and of itself. Switching between weapons is fine, but it’s not easy to take on a full gang. Sneaking up through bushes or behind cover can change the tide of a fight, allowing you to even the playing field somewhat. With Ghost of Yōtei requiring you to now break all enemies’ blocks and stagger them before you deal a killing blow, a full frontal assault is not always the option you want to take. I found the combat to be tougher than Tsushima, demanding my patience in striking a blow. Learning to block, parry, and dodge properly will determine whether you live or die, and choosing the right time to use utility can turn the tide instantaneously. Don’t blindly mash the attack buttons, it won’t work out for you. Picking off hostiles with long-range ordinance is also a choice you can make, but loud items such as the rifle will expose you quickly. Standoffs are just as epic as they always were, even if I often got tricked by rōnin feinting a charge.

Although trailers have shown a wolf companion, it isn’t a permanent part of your pack. This canine creature will occasionally show up, sometimes to rescue you if you fall in battle, or if summoned near an enemy encampment once you have the skills unlocked. The wolf will appear more often towards the end of the game due to said skill tree, and while it’s a cool extra, I’m not sure it’s as impactful as I’d hoped. 

Thankfully, your other animal associate, your horse, is immediately in your purview, so you’ll be able to ride to your heart's content. Better still, it also serves as a camping spot, which will reset your spirit. During this cycle, you can craft useful ammo or consumables, play your shamisen, cook on the campfire for a timed buff, or even receive a visitor. These people – who can be part of your wolf pack or random locals – can sell you things or give information on nearby points of interest, like enemy locations or upgrade quests.

Getting places where your horse can’t reach will require Atsu to stretch a bit with Ghost of Yōtei’s much-improved climbing and platforming. Tsushima was no slouch, but I remember it feeling somewhat slow compared to Atsu’s quick movements. At any rate, it’s used to much aplomb, especially in a later main mission where you’re chasing a Yōtei Six member.

Even though Ghost of Yōtei doesn’t disappoint in its gameplay, you’ll find a lot of it will resemble what came before. The combat certainly does, and much of what you’ll see in the side content will be similar to what you’ve played in Ghost of Tsushima. That said, I'd liken this game more to inFAMOUS: Second Son’s arrival. Second Son was very similar in structure and mechanics to inFAMOUS 2, but was a wonderful follow up in the series. While the generational leap may not be as substantial here, it's still representative of the quality that can be found in a non-direct sequel.

With that in mind, I’m not sure the trailers have done Ghost of Yōtei justice in regards to its visual fidelity and immersive quality. This is easily Sucker Punch’s best, a true marvel of sight and sound. As someone who rarely takes in-game pictures, I was constantly snapping away using the returning Photo Mode. Yōtei is beautiful. A picture is worth a thousand words, and even that many couldn’t describe how gorgeous this game is. If you want to change things up a bit, the Kurosawa mode brings the black and white samurai film vibes, and Sucker Punch went a bit further in a Miike mode (Miike being the Director behind the movie Ichi the Killer), which makes things more bloody and cinematic.

Immersion was something Ghost of Tsushima did well, and Ghost of Yōtei does too. The HUD is minimalistic, disappearing and giving you a full view of the game. The map isn’t bloated from a bunch of markers, focusing on the hand-drawn aesthetic to drive home where you’ll go next. Golden birds and smoke in the distance return to guide you to new destinations. All of this wouldn’t work if not for first-class sound design, which gives even more life to a brilliant world.

Toma Otowa nails the soundtrack, with spectacular pieces that perfectly capture the samurai-western aesthetic. Where Tsushima leaned more into the samurai, Ghost of Yōtei pushes more western, and it’s the right call. There are also several lyrical tracks that play in certain sequences of the game that sell the atmosphere, which makes for a killer soundtrack. If you want something a little different, you can hop over to Watanabe mode (so named for anime director Shinichiro Watanabe, known for Samurai Champloo and Cowboy Bebop), which swaps it out for lo-fi tracks that change the ambience completely.

Ghost of Yōtei runs impeccably well, with near flawless execution in both visual fidelity and performance. I didn’t encounter any large bugs except for one odd freeze coming out of Photo Mode. I am playing on the PlayStation 5 Pro, but I was using the Pro exclusive mode for Ray Tracing at 60fps. If there were going to be issues, they would occur in that mode. Beyond that, Ghost of Yōtei loads in seconds, nearly matching the cadence of Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. PlayStation Studios always strives for excellence, but Sucker Punch has outdone themselves in their level of polish here. Also, the DualSense haptics are top-notch; you can feel the wind through the controller and each gallop of your horse to name a few of the feedback elements.