After Ghost of Yōtei: The Most Likely Settings for the Next Ghost Game

by

So, I’ve been totally hooked on *Ghost of Yotei* with Atsu and her story – it’s awesome! I kept wondering how Sucker Punch could possibly make it even better after *Ghost of Tsushima*. And honestly, *Yotei* isn’t a *huge* leap forward, but the changes they *did* make are really smart. It feels like the same game I love, but everything just feels a little more polished and fresh. It’s a really great experience.

Sucker Punch clearly took what worked well in the first *Ghost of Tsushima* and improved upon it for this game. But will that same approach work if they decide to create a sequel or a new game in the series? What would a new *Ghost* game need to offer to feel distinct from the stories of Jin and Atsu?

I’m really excited to talk about where this amazing samurai action series could go next! We’re going to explore what kinds of time periods the developers might choose for future installments – it’s a really fun thing to think about as a fan!

An Interesting New Direction

Sucker Punch Productions has consistently expressed a preference for keeping the *Ghost of Tsushima* franchise set in Japan, as stated by studio head Brian Fleming. He believes the core of the series – a skilled swordsman and the beautiful Japanese landscape – is essential to its identity. While exploring new locations could be exciting, Japan still offers plenty of potential for future *Ghost* games and its fanbase.

Now, let’s discuss Atsu from *Yotei*. Although her story ends peacefully in the game, it makes you think about her years spent traveling as a mercenary. It would be interesting to learn more about that period and how she transformed from a scared girl into the powerful Onryo she becomes. Similar to how the *Iki Island* expansion delved into Jin Sakai’s past with his father, this could be explored in a future downloadable content pack.

What could a new *Ghost* game offer? We have some thoughts. Perhaps it could revisit the series’ samurai origins, but with a twist. Given how people in *Tsushima* and *Yotei* view samurai, the next game could focus on Jin opposing them.

Consider the region of Yariwaka. The harsh way Kasumasa Sakai and Shimura crushed the uprising there was widely discussed in Tsushima. This meant Jin had to work hard to gain the trust of local leaders, who actually welcomed the fact that the samurai were struggling against the Mongols. The people of Yariwaka viewed the samurai as the enemy – as part of a controlling government that had ignored their needs.

Life in Ezo is similar to Tsushima – many residents arrived to avoid the Shogun’s harsh rule and therefore view the Matsumae clan with distrust or dislike. Although both places have people who respect the samurai way of life, a new *Ghost* installment where samurai are the antagonists could be a compelling story.

I’m really hoping the next game lets me go up against either my own clan or even the Shogun himself! It would be awesome to fight against all the corruption and unfairness in the world. There are so many cool periods in Japanese history that would be perfect for this kind of story, especially since the games always make you think about who you are and what your place is in everything.

Let’s take a look at a few.

A Plethora of Options

The Sengoku period is a natural fit for a new *Ghost of Tsushima* story. This era was marked by opposition to the ruling Shogunate, and it directly influenced the themes of the existing game. Setting a new story during the Onin War and the subsequent Sengoku period would allow for a more city-based campaign. This would also give Sucker Punch the opportunity to expand on gameplay elements like vertical movement, potentially updating the grappling hook and adding fresh ideas to both exploration and combat.

In a time of fierce conflict between powerful families, a character known as a ‘Ghost’ could cleverly manipulate these groups to get what they want. This opens the door for strategic deception and psychological tactics, alongside classic elements like nighttime attacks and challenges from wandering samurai, creating a fresh yet recognizable addition to the game series.

Another possibility is for the new Ghost to become a pirate. The Wokou were pirates primarily from Japan, but their crews included people from various Asian backgrounds. This would be a great way to explore different beliefs and add naval battles to the game.

A pirate-themed Ghost could be a fantastic addition, introducing a wide range of new weapons and combat strategies. It would also allow us to explore the difficult topic of how hardship and neglectful leadership can drive people to extreme actions. Imagine this Ghost using tools like rope darts, skillfully sailing through changing tides, and stealthily boarding enemy ships – the possibilities are endless!

We learned about the Ainu people, who originally lived in Ezo, now known as Hokkaido, thanks to research on Mount Yotei. Their history of resisting Japanese colonization offers a compelling idea for a new *Ghost* game. A protagonist with Ainu heritage could be a fascinating character, struggling between honoring their culture and taking extreme actions to protect it, potentially at the cost of their relationships with loved ones.

As a fan, I think exploring that historical setting would be amazing! It feels like a perfect fit for the series’ style, but it could also really shake things up with new gameplay. Imagine sneaking around in boats on rivers, blending in with crowds, and even having the weather – like harsh winters – impact how you play. They could draw on fascinating Ainu folklore for side stories, add in proper hunting, and so much more. Most of all, I’m hoping for a really compelling, personal story, and maybe a Ghost protagonist who’s the most lovable one yet!

We especially like the idea of setting the story during the Boshin War and the political chaos that came after. This period in Japanese history—when the country shifted from isolation to opening its borders—caused significant upheaval in its government, creating ideal conditions for a new Ghost to emerge.

Adding new weapons would be a great way to expand the game without changing the popular combat system. From a story perspective, exploring conflicts between different beliefs and the impact of foreign powers on Japan could create a compelling narrative about a samurai’s true allegiance. This could also lead to exciting new gameplay, like massive battles and desperate defenses that we haven’t seen in previous games.

If Sucker Punch keeps making games like this, a setting based on Japanese history could be perfect for them to create a truly memorable story.

The Path Ahead

Regardless of what the future holds for the game series, I think Sucker Punch Productions should try a new approach. While I absolutely loved exploring Yotei – it’s one of my favorite open-world games and a top PlayStation exclusive – it still felt like a refinement of what we already experienced in Tsushima, rather than a truly new direction.

The upcoming game needs to stand on its own merits and surpass previous installments, rather than simply relying on their success. Finding that perfect balance is challenging, but given the studio’s impressive ability to authentically portray ancient Japan, this third game has the potential to be truly exceptional.

The newest Ghost game has a lot to live up to, continuing the legacy of past titles while also moving the series forward. However, given Sucker Punch’s history of strong storytelling and engaging gameplay, we’re confident this installment will be a hit.

Now, all we can do is wait for the announcement of the next game in a series that’s become one of the best open-world action-adventure games available.

Just so you know, the opinions in this article are the author’s own and don’t reflect the official stance of GamingBolt.

Read More

2025-10-10 19:18