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After spending countless hours exploring the breathtaking world of Ezo, I can confidently say that Ghost of Yotei isn’t just another sequel it’s a masterclass in how to evolve a beloved franchise. When I first picked up my controller and stepped into Atsu’s blood soaked boots, I had no idea I was about to embark on one of the most emotionally gripping revenge stories I’ve experienced in years.
The opening moments of Ghost of Yotei hit me like a sledgehammer. Watching Atsu’s family get brutally murdered by the masked Yotei Six wasn’t just storytelling it was emotional warfare. I found myself instantly invested in her quest for vengeance, and that feeling never left me throughout my 60+ hour journey across the northern Japanese wilderness.
Unlike Jin Sakai from the original Ghost of Tsushima, Atsu doesn’t start as nobility. She’s a wandering mercenary with nothing left to lose, and that fundamental difference shapes every aspect of the game. I appreciated how Sucker Punch made her feel distinctly different from Jin while maintaining the core elements that made the first game so special.
Let me be honest I was skeptical about the combat changes at first. Replacing Jin’s four sword stances with five different weapons seemed like it might complicate things unnecessarily. Boy, was I wrong.
The weapon variety in Ghost of Yotei is absolutely phenomenal. I found myself constantly switching between:
The rock paper scissors dynamic works brilliantly in practice. I never felt forced to use specific weapons, but choosing the right tool for each encounter made me feel like a tactical genius. The new ranged options, including the Tanegashima rifle and flintlock pistol, add even more depth to combat scenarios.
What really impressed me was how brutal and cinematic every encounter feels. Atsu’s fighting style is more desperate and vicious than Jin’s honorable samurai techniques, and it shows in every animation. I actually gasped out loud during several boss fights they’re genuinely epic affairs that had my heart racing.
I’ve played a lot of open world games, but Ghost of Yotei’s version of Ezo (historical Hokkaido) is something special. Every time I crested a hill or turned a corner, I found myself stopping just to take screenshots. The visual diversity is incredible:
The technical achievement here can’t be overstated. On my PS5, the game runs at a smooth 60fps with no noticeable drops, and the loading times are practically non existent. When I traveled between regions, those cinematic black bars would appear, making every journey feel like a scene from a Kurosawa film.
I expected a straightforward revenge tale, but Ghost of Yotei delivered something much more nuanced. The ability to hunt down the Yotei Six in any order gave me a sense of agency, even if it occasionally made the narrative feel slightly disconnected.
What really got to me were the flashback sequences. Being able to visit Atsu’s childhood home and experience her memories with her family added emotional weight to every brutal encounter. These weren’t just gameplay mechanics they were windows into understanding why every sword swing mattered.
The supporting characters I met along the way felt genuine and lived in. From fellow bounty hunters to village merchants, everyone had stories that made the world feel alive. I particularly loved the bounty hunting side missions each target felt unique and memorable, not just generic enemies to clear from camps.
One of my biggest complaints about open world games is meaningless busywork. Ghost of Yotei largely avoids this pitfall. Yes, there are still bandit camps and collectibles, but most activities tie back to Atsu’s character development.
The shamisen music segments became some of my favorite moments. Playing traditional Japanese songs wasn’t just a minigame it was Atsu connecting with her deceased mother’s memory. Similarly, the Sumi-e painting activities let me slow down and appreciate the world’s beauty while learning more about Atsu’s artistic side.
The fox dens, hot springs, and bamboo cutting return from the first game, but they’re used more sparingly. Instead of feeling overwhelming, they felt like welcome discoveries during my exploration.
I’d be lying if I said Ghost of Yotei was perfect. My biggest issue was the familiar feeling that crept in after the first 10-15 hours. If you played Ghost of Tsushima extensively, you’ll recognize almost every gameplay system here. While they’re all polished to a mirror shine, the lack of truly innovative mechanics occasionally made the experience feel like very expensive DLC.
The segmented nature of hunting the Yotei Six also created some narrative awkwardness. Supporting characters would disappear and reappear based on which villain I chose to pursue, breaking immersion occasionally.
Camera issues during combat, while rare, still popped up when enemies moved outside my field of view. It’s not game breaking, but it can be frustrating during intense fights.
Running on my base PS5, Ghost of Yotei is a technical showcase. The performance mode maintains a rock solid 60fps, while the visuals remain absolutely stunning. Load times are practically non existent, and the DualSense controller integration feels natural without being gimmicky.
The different visual filters (Kurosawa Mode, Takashi Miike Mode, and Shinichirō Watanabe Mode) are fun novelties, though I found myself sticking with the default look most of the time. The black and white Kurosawa filter is particularly striking during duels.
Despite its familiar foundation, Ghost of Yotei succeeds where it matters most it made me care about Atsu’s journey from beginning to end. The improved combat, stunning visuals, and emotionally resonant story create an experience that feels both familiar and fresh.
Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
Pros:
Cons:
If you enjoyed Ghost of Tsushima, this is an absolute no brainer. Even if you’re new to the series, Ghost of Yotei stands as one of the best action adventure games available on PS5. It’s a game that respects your time while delivering an epic, cinematic experience that’ll stick with you long after the credits roll.
The current Metacritic score of 87 feels about right it’s an excellent game that improves on its predecessor in meaningful ways, even if it doesn’t revolutionize the formula. Sometimes, perfecting what already works is more valuable than radical innovation.
At $69, Ghost of Yotei offers tremendous value for anyone looking for a single player adventure they can sink 50+ hours into. Just be prepared for an emotional journey that’s as beautiful as it is brutal.
