Ghost of Yōtei review: I’ve played these games before

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A star rating of 3 out of 5.

After spending weeks playing Ghost of Yōtei, I keep wondering if stories about Japanese orphans seeking revenge feel too familiar. It’s a trope I can’t help but notice.

The sequel to Ghost of Tsushima, developed by Sucker Punch, introduces a new protagonist named Atsu and takes place centuries after the original game. While it features a fresh story, a brand new map, and different enemies, it still manages to feel surprisingly similar to its predecessor.

Much of this feels familiar because, even with the new environments, you’re still essentially exploring on horseback, riding through gorgeous landscapes, and encountering classic activities like relaxing in hot springs and testing your skills with sword challenges. It’s a lot like what you’d expect from Tsushima.

Even though this is a brand new game, exploring it will strongly remind you of your time in Ghost of Tsushima. That game was a defining experience for many players during the pandemic, so those memories are still very vivid, making the similarities even more noticeable.

The Assassin’s Creed series is known for drastically changing with each new game, not just in terms of when and where it’s set, but also in its overall feel and atmosphere. For instance, games like Odyssey and Valhalla offer very distinct experiences from one another.

As a big fan of both games, I immediately noticed something really interesting about Ghost of Yōtei. The main story feels *a lot* like what we saw in Assassin’s Creed Shadows last year – it’s almost uncanny how similar the core narrative is!

The game starts with a tragic scene: as a child, the protagonist witnesses the brutal murder of a parent. Years pass, and now an adult, she dedicates her life to finding and punishing the masked figures responsible. The gameplay revolves around tracking down and eliminating these villains, one by one – it’s a familiar revenge story.

Look, I get that both games were in development around the same time, so it’s not really fair to say one copied the other. But honestly, it’s a bit of a bummer for the Yōtei team that Ubisoft released their game first. I feel like a lot of people who would have loved Yōtei probably ended up playing the other one instead, since they’re similar enough that they appeal to the same fans.

The game feels very familiar, blending open-world exploration similar to Ghost of Tsushima with long story missions reminiscent of Assassin’s Creed Shadows. It lacks a strong sense of originality, and honestly, it brings to mind that famous scene from Squid Game season 2 where a character yells, ‘I’ve played these games before!’

It was difficult to ignore this feeling, and it definitely lessened my enjoyment during much of the game. When the game didn’t offer anything particularly new or exciting, my motivation to keep playing and discovering things started to fade.

Despite its flaws, Ghost of Yōtei has some genuinely good moments if you’re willing to explore and appreciate the details.

Honestly, one of the coolest things about this game is how fast it loads thanks to the PS5’s SSD. I could instantly zip over to Atsu’s childhood home or jump between different time periods with no loading screens – it was seamless! Pressing a button to instantly trigger a flashback was a really neat touch, and it made the story feel super connected.

Read more: Ghost of Yōtei is “a very different animal”, as beloved mechanic gets a complete overhaul

I’m really impressed with how well the game’s open world and story missions work together. It doesn’t feel like you’re forced down a path at all. I actually finished a main quest and then just started exploring, and it felt totally natural – I wasn’t pushed towards anything specific, which is awesome!

I spotted a small house in the distance that seemed important. When I checked it out, I discovered a hidden item – Kunai throwing knives. It felt like I was exploring on my own, but looking back, it was cleverly designed to lead me to cool things, which is great!

The game features excellent performances, especially from Erika Ishii as Atsu. She skillfully guides players through the story, making them feel connected while also giving Atsu a vibrant and believable personality. Despite being driven by revenge, Atsu is a caring character, and Ishii does a fantastic job of portraying both sides of her.

The story’s quality is inconsistent. The game begins suddenly, not giving you much chance to connect with the characters before sending you into the large open world. Because you can complete objectives in almost any order, it’s hard for the story to unfold in a truly impactful and satisfying way.

Each of the six major villains in the game has a unique storyline. While these stories don’t strongly connect, they each offer surprising twists and engaging quests.

Okay, so the graphics are a bit of a mixed bag. One minute I’m watching a stunning cutscene, and the next, the in-game conversations look… well, not so great. The world itself has some breathtaking views, but then you’ll run into these really plain areas that feel like they’re just there to fill space. Still, I have to say, the open world is actually pretty good at throwing interesting stuff at you as you explore – I keep stumbling into unexpected situations, which is cool.

The fighting feels good, moving away from complicated stances to a simpler system where switching weapons often is key to defeating enemies. Gathering all the weapons and items can be a little tedious, and it would have been better to begin the game with more of them available.

Luckily, the game lets you fast travel right from the beginning. This makes getting around and finding shops to improve your equipment really simple, and prevents you from being slowed down by tedious travel.

Look, Ghost of Yōtei has a lot going for it – the music is seriously good! But honestly, it felt a little *too* familiar. It’s not a bad game, and it has its highlights, but I found myself getting bored pretty quickly whenever I tried to play. It’s probably best for players who are *really* into this kind of game already, but I wouldn’t strongly recommend it to just anyone.

If you enjoyed Ghost of Tsushima and Assassin’s Creed Shadows and are open to a game that combines elements of both, it’s worth trying – you’ll likely be pleased. However, if you prefer entirely fresh experiences, this game might not be for you.

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2025-09-25 16:35