Ghost of Yōtei – 10 New Things We Learned

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After numerous months since its unveiling, we’ve finally been granted a detailed glimpse and prolonged gameplay session for the title, Ghost of Yōtei. The game is scheduled to debut on October 2nd exclusively for PS5, yet it is set over three centuries later in Ezo. The story revolves around Atsu, a roaming mercenary seeking vengeance. Noteworthy aspects include authentic combat mechanics and an expansive environment ripe for exploration. But what distinguishes Ghost of Yōtei from its predecessor, Tsushima? Let’s delve into ten fresh insights, some of which may significantly impact long-term enthusiasts.

A Link to the Past

Following a brutal attack by the Yōtei Six that cost Atsu her family and nearly her life, she comes back to Ezo after 16 years, driven by revenge. The game Sucker Punch hinted at exploring her childhood memories, but now shows us how it can be done simply with a click of a button. As the game unfolds, we witness the stark contrast between the vivid scenery of Atsu’s past and the devastated, ruined estate she encounters now, but the full extent of these time-travel elements is yet to be revealed. It seems plausible that players will have multiple opportunities to journey back in time, which might offer insight into her family background and why the Yōtei Six targeted them.

Cards and Clues

In Sucker Punch’s Ghost of Yōtei, players are granted unprecedented freedom in the game, as they can pursue the Yōtei Six in any sequence they choose. This flexibility is achieved through the use of cards, not the typical deck-building kind, but rather cards that offer clues about specific enemies and locations. By questioning various adversaries, you can extract information on different topics. For instance, querying about The Oni will reward a new weapon, the yari, and access to the Ishikari Plain, a region filled with samurai combat and fresh abilities. If you opt for The Kitsune instead, you’ll find yourself at Teshio Ridge, where not only does a snowy landscape await, but also an ambush from ninja-like enemies. Successfully navigating this challenge will grant you knowledge of new shinobi tactics.

Although these new cards might appear limiting at first glance, there are hints of art for weapons like katana, yari, kusarigama, scorch bomb, bow, and many others. Instead of staying on the usual path, venturing off it could lead to discovering some exciting upgrades.

Bounties

In my perspective, Atsu’s vengeance journey garners quite a bit of notice from the people of Ezo, making her downright uninvited in certain places. Yet, with a substantial bounty on her head, there are numerous adversaries she can pick to confront for remuneration. The pair displayed were Black Powder Ippei, who seemed to assault from afar using a cannon and fought close-up with a two-handed axe, and Crow Genzo, employing a katana and spear, lurking in a cemetery filled with crows (which becomes unsettling when you discover his gruesome tactics). Yoshimoto, the Smiling One, is subtly portrayed as a more chilling objective who “entices the weary at a campsite lit by lanterns,” hinting at a cat-and-mouse chase instead of a straightforward battle.

Weapons (and Switching)

As Jin Sakai, Atsu wields a katana, but her collection soon expands to include more than just a single blade. Alongside the kusarigama and yari, she’s learned to master dual swords and an odachi as well. In the world of Ghost of Tsushima, each weapon has its own strengths and weaknesses, much like the Stances. The massive odachi is perfect for taking down heavy brutes, while the swift dual swords are ideal against spear warriors. Each weapon comes with upgrades and special techniques – pulling a target from afar using the kusarigama’s long chain to execute an assassination, for instance.

Atsu has the ability to change his weapons according to the task at hand, similar to the stances in ‘Ghost of Tsushima’. Notably, certain enemies, such as Elites and bosses, can also alter their weapons. For instance, Inokichi the Hungry might initially wield a katana, but may switch to a spear, requiring you to use dual blades in response.

Disarming

Another key feature is the ability to disarm opponents. When an enemy’s attack sparkles yellow, you can press Triangle to execute a Focus Attack, which disarms them. This is useful as Atsu can then grab a dropped weapon, such as a spear, and toss it at enemies from afar. However, if the attack hits, Atsu might lose her own weapon, putting her at a disadvantage. This adds an interesting layer to the gameplay mechanics of unblockable attacks, parries, and counters, making combat feel more authentic.

Traversal and Discovery

The grappling hook reappears, as if it had never left, allowing Atsu to move swiftly across Ezo on horseback. But there’s more! You can also glide down slopes, and while riding, striking the flower streams will give you a speed boost, making travel even quicker. Other intriguing features are the spyglass for spotting far-off points of interest (which you can mark for later investigation), and the cartographer who offers Traveller’s Maps. Overlaying these maps on your current one will illuminate nearby locations that could be worth exploring.

New and Returning Activities

As you traverse through the wild with various animals teaching you new abilities, you’ll run into familiar pastimes such as Bamboo Strikes and Hot Springs. These seem to boost your maximum Resolve (known as Spirit) and Health. Additionally, you can draw various parts of the environment and participate in coin-based games. New armor sets tailored for diverse playstyles are also introduced, along with dyes to collect, enhancing your overall appearance even further.

Camping

What’s the reason behind this feature? Why would such an option be available unless there weren’t specific activities requiring it? In fact, there are multiple reasons, such as preparing meals to boost your readiness for combat or playing the shamisen with various tunes offering distinct advantages. For instance, the Song of Spirit could lead you to Bamboo Strikes that increase your maximum Spirit, while the Song of Vanity might attract merchants selling new armor and dyes. Additionally, unexpected guests may visit your campsite, including traveling vendors offering intriguing items for sale.

The Wolf Pack

However, this is just the start. As Atsu gathers more companions, known as the “Wolf Pack,” certain individuals will drop by her camp whenever they’ve got something fresh to share. For instance, Yumi the Bowyer might have some new equipment for sale (though it won’t come cheap). Conversely, Master Enomoto can teach you new kusarigama techniques if you finish his tasks, but you’ll need to make a trip to his dojo to continue your training. This group of allies also includes a mysterious wolf who sometimes joins Atsu and even gets involved in confrontations. In addition to having vendors come to you when they have something new, this system helps keep tabs on each character and offers guidance on what you should do next. It replaces the previous game’s Journal tab with a more streamlined approach.

Kurosawa, Miike, and Watanabe Modes

The Photo Mode feature is back, enabling players to snap photos and customize aspects such as color grading, lens perspective, particle effects, time period, and more. You can opt for either English or Japanese voice-overs accompanied by subtitles (with full synchronization of speech). Meanwhile, Kurosawa Mode reappears, transforming everything into black and white with film grain, stronger wind effects, and an audio filter to mirror the aesthetic and atmosphere of iconic director Akira Kurosawa’s films.

In addition, you have options. If you’re a fan of Takashi Miike’s grittier, bloodier films, choose Miike Mode. It offers a more intimate view and increased gore and mud. The unexpected feature is Watanabe Mode, which integrates lo-fi music during exploration and combat to mimic the atmosphere of Shinichirō Watanabe’s Samurai Champloo.

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2025-07-14 14:20