PlayStation Hits New Peak With Ghost of Yotei’s Nearly Flawless Gameplay

This is the sequel to the incredibly popular Ghost of Tsushima, created by Sucker Punch Productions. When Ghost of Tsushima was released in 2020, it came out near the end of the PlayStation 4’s lifespan and is widely considered one of the best games for that console. It felt like a fitting finale for that generation, and now, with the sequel, we’re roughly halfway through the current generation of consoles.

As a huge fan, I can tell you that Sucker Punch Productions really utilized the power of the PlayStation 5 with this project, and it absolutely shows! They’ve created something special – a true console seller that I think every gamer needs to experience. Ghost of Yotei is a showcase for the PS5, boasting some of the most beautiful graphics, a stunning art style, and incredibly engaging gameplay. It’s a must-play!

The Ghost of Yotei Ultimately Prevails Over Its Generic Story Beats

When players start Ghost of Yotei for the first time, they watch a cutscene that introduces the story. It shows a group of criminals called the Yōtei Six murdering a family and leaving a young girl, Atsu, for dead as they burn down her home. This immediately grabs your attention and sets up the main story, which is about getting revenge on the Yōtei Six. Ghost of Yotei then jumps forward in time, showing Atsu as an adult who is determined to get revenge and bring peace to the land of Ezu. What really makes the story great is the amazing acting from both the main character and the villain.

Erika Ishii is truly outstanding, giving what is arguably their best performance yet. This performance is sure to stay with fans for a long time. Atsu is a complex character, driven by more than just a desire for revenge. Ishii brilliantly portrays a sense of lost innocence stemming from this tragedy. The character displays a wide range of emotions that will resonate with players long after the story concludes.

However, Lord Saito, portrayed by Feodor Chin, is a surprisingly complex villain. Chin skillfully balances showing us Saito’s reasoning with making us fear his deeds. The main weakness of the story is that it follows a fairly predictable pattern. While these story moments are well-done and contribute to the narrative, Ghost of Yotei focuses too much on creating shock value. When players can easily anticipate what’s going to happen, the impact is lessened, and the scene relies more on its performance to succeed.

Atsu Makes Ghost of Yotei’s Even Combat More Dynamic Than inGhost of Tsushima

Ghost of Yotei, though this version aligns more with the character’s story. Jin Sakai was a skilled samurai who started using tactics considered dishonorable, and this change eventually led him to become the Ghost. Even using stealth caused Jin to question his own ethics. As for Atsu, she’s been preparing for a long time to eliminate the Yōtei Six and has become a highly capable bounty hunter.

This character is determined to do anything to reach her objective. She’s equipped with not only a Katana, but also Twin Katanas, an Odachi, and a variety of other weapons. The way these weapons can be combined in battle is incredibly fun and engaging. Thanks to Atsu, the combat feels even more lively and really highlights the quality of work from Sucker Punch Productions.

PlayStation’s Dualsense Controller Elevates The Ghost of Yotei Play Experience

Ghost of Yotei stands out because it deeply connects the DualSense controller to the game’s narrative – something few games achieve. It also uses the DualSense exceptionally well for gameplay. However, the way it invites players to connect with Astu’s story through the controller is a truly unique experience. It’s not just about using the touchpad to indicate wind direction; it enhances the emotional impact of the story.

The way players drew names for each member of the Yōtei Six felt very personal, especially combined with Atsu’s flashbacks. When you come across a flashback area, you can use the touchpad to easily switch between the past and present. Even simple actions, like using the controller to cook food over the fire, felt surprisingly personal. These weren’t major gameplay features, but these small details really enhanced the overall experience.

The Land of Ezo Makes For an Alluring & Dynamic Open World

While the island of Tsushima is amazing, the land of Ezo surpasses even that. It’s not just larger; it’s somehow even more visually stunning. Watching the colorful autumn leaves fall in the wind is a consistently beautiful sight. The shades of yellow are particularly gorgeous, especially during sunset.

Beyond the artistic design, Atsu offers a compelling narrative. She can rescue people from bandits, and they might share crucial information, guiding her down new avenues. This creates an ideal blend of freedom – similar to what games like Elden Ring do so well – while remaining accessible to a wide range of players. The story itself motivates players to investigate and collect details about the Yōtei Six.

Distinct Director Modes Beautifully Reward Player Creativity in Ghost of Yotei

Similar to the popular Kurosawa mode, Ghost of Yotei introduces two fresh additions. The Takashi Miike mode ramps up the intensity with more blood and grit, resulting in truly stunning combat sequences. The mode inspired by Shinichirō Watanabe features original Lo-Fi music composed under his guidance. It’s ideal for players who want to experience Ezo accompanied by the beautiful music of Watanabe. While these modes are fantastic, nothing quite compares to the photo mode.

What Sucker Punch does exceptionally well is give players the feeling of creating their ideal scene. It’s not simply the sheer number of choices available, but how the game encourages and rewards imaginative play. Ghost of Yotei is already a stunning world, so being able to shape it and personalize the experience is truly unique. The game successfully makes players feel powerful through the choices they make.

Ghost of Yotei Is the Crowning Achievement for PlayStation in 2025

Players have expressed frustration with how long it’s taking for Sony’s own games for the PS5 to be released, feeling like new exclusive titles are coming out very slowly. However, if the quality of these games matches that of Ghost of Yotei, many believe the wait will be worthwhile. Sucker Punch Productions created a captivating game, putting players in the role of Atsu and allowing them to explore the land of Ezo from her perspective.

Exploring Ezo is visually stunning, and the natural way you uncover goals really makes it different from typical open-world games that rely on checklists. The subtle use of the DualSense controller and various game modes enhance an already amazing experience. If exclusive titles are what drive console sales, then Ghost of Yotei is a standout success for the PlayStation 5.

Ghost of Yotei is available now on PlayStation 5.

This review was written with a review code of Ghost of Yotei provided by PlayStation.

2025-10-05 03:17