As someone who has spent countless hours immersed in the rich tapestry of Japanese history and culture, I find myself captivated by the tantalizing tidbits about “Ghost of Yōtei.” Being a connoisseur of samurai tales, the setting during the Edo period, when Tokugawa Ieyasu established his shogunate, is particularly intriguing. The social climate and structure during this time, with its bureaucratic system, isolationist policy, and the complex roles of samurais, offers a fertile ground for storytelling.
The recent Sony State of Play event has wrapped up swiftly, much like its announcement. While opinions on its overall value may differ, there’s widespread agreement on the star attraction – “Ghost of Yōtei”, the sequel to the critically and financially successful “Ghost of Tsushima” from Sucker Punch Studios. Set to release in 2025, it might be a misleading label to call it a sequel since it unfolds 300 years after Jin Sakai’s tale concluded.
It was anticipated that the Ghost’s tale would continue, and indeed it will, with a fresh protagonist and setting. In this installment, players take on the role of Atsu, a wandering warrior proficient in dual-wielding katanas, using flintlock rifles, playing the Shamisen, and seemingly accompanied by a wolf. The specifics about her background and reasons for adopting the Ghost identity are yet to be revealed, but Sucker Punch has confirmed that this is an origin story.
The PlayStation Blog post mentioned delving into what it signifies when a fresh character dons a Ghost mask and unearths a novel tale. In this game, you’ll discover a new Japanese location called Ezo, equivalent to today’s Hokkaido. Mount Yōtei stands grandly in the center, but what makes the area intriguing is its lawless nature, as it exists “beyond Japan’s rule.
The developer playfully points out that life on Tsushima, once ruled by disciplined samurai clans, is a stark contrast to what’s presented in the game,” hints the creator, yet there’s more. The trailer suggests that ‘the north’ serves as a refuge for those who wish to vanish, even Ronin, but Atsu appears to be pursuing someone relentlessly.
She appears to have gained some infamy, as evidenced by the wanted poster displaying her shadow image, complete with bamboo hat and dual swords. Could she be a rogue Ronin who might ambush the player when they’re off guard? Or maybe for a bounty system where Atsu can track down targets in an open-ended manner as part of the storyline?
Regardless of any risks involved in Atsu’s journey, the scenery is breathtakingly beautiful. From galloping through a sea of horses, to leaves and flowers being whirled up as speed increases, encountering atmospheric mist, or even the moment when countless birds take flight – Ghost of Yōtei offers an abundance of visually striking scenes.
Apart from featuring stunning skyboxes adorned with stars and auroras, Sucker Punch highlights expansive vistas allowing you to gaze far into the landscape, as well as authentic wind-induced movement in foliage. What’s intriguing is that it’s being developed specifically for PS5, which could significantly strengthen the foundation laid by Ghost of Tsushima. This sounds quite promising!
Atsu’s bond with the wolf is fascinating – despite both appearing to chase similar prey, they seem to maintain an uneasy peace, as demonstrated by its growling when she comes into view. It’s possible that at first, it viewed her as a threat before catching the scent of its quarry.
The progression of this partnership is yet uncertain, but it’s worth noting that the franchise has previously incorporated other animals into combat scenarios, such as in “Ghost of Tsushima Legends.” The suggestion of Sucker Punch revealing additional details about Atsu and the characters (and creatures) she encounters along her journey may imply more allies joining her cause. The most obvious aspect of the trailer is likely the Guiding Wind, serving as a recurring guide to the player’s next objective once again.
In the updated version of the game, you’ll notice enhancements in the gameplay experience, introducing fresh mechanics and weapon options. At one stage, we came across a weapon similar to the kusarigama, and an adversary who could light their sword on fire, reminiscent of Jin’s encounters in the initial game. Given her dual-wielding capabilities, it’s reasonable to infer that at least one fresh combat Style will be introduced. However, it remains unclear whether these new weapons will be compatible with all Styles or if they will only work with certain ones. The question also arises as to whether the system is similar to that found in Ghost of Tsushima. Only time will reveal the answers.
What sets this game apart is its unique backdrop – it’s set during the Edo period in Japan, which began in 1603 following the establishment of the Tokugawa Shogunate by Tokugawa Ieyasu. During his rule, he governed over Japan with approximately 300 daimyo or lords, each governing their respective regions under him.
Apart from establishing a broad and complex system of bureaucracy, Japan also adopted a policy of seclusion. Samurai held positions of great influence, either serving as the shogun’s or daimyo’s retainers, but they were forced to relinquish their lands. The majority of the populace endured heavy taxation and widespread illiteracy.
Although it brought forth uprisings like the Siege of Osaka and marked the end of the Bakumatsu era, Japan during this time was generally tranquil. Art forms such as haiku and kabuki flourished, while the economy harmonized with nature and society, relying on local production and reuse rather than commerce.
Ezo, unlike other regions, is distinct because it has the Ainu people residing there. Not only did they call Yōtei “Makkarinupuri,” or “female mountain,” but they also held wolves in high regard, treating them as equals to domesticated dogs.
From Atsu’s selection as the main character and her bond with a wolf, it appears that her narrative may be connected to the Ainu tribe in some way. However, it remains unclear how this connection relates to whom she hunts or her motivation for adopting the Ghost alias, which carries negative implications due to the events of the first game. It could potentially be driven by revenge, or alternatively, it might serve to inspire her people and symbolize hope, much like Jin did in the initial game.
Either way, it’s interesting to note that Yōtei is an inactive volcano while Hokkaido experiences earthquakes from time to time. Meanwhile, Atsu translates to “hot” in English. It seems to imply a further connection between her and the mountain, though it could be that her name is simply inspired by the same. On a gameplay front, the potential for a battle or two near or within the volcano sounds too enticing. No, it’s not historically accurate, but neither is Jin Sakai.
As a fan, I find the lore of the Ghost of Yōtei absolutely captivating, even with the limited gameplay and cinematics that have been revealed so far. Atsu’s tale is particularly intriguing, set against the backdrop of Japan during the early Edo period, a time marked by unique social structures. The fact that his ghostly existence is woven into this historical context elevates him from mere folklore to a powerful symbol in Japanese culture, one that stands against oppression.
Sucker Punch hints that there’s a lot more to unveil in the upcoming months, possibly indicating its release could occur as early as July, similar to its previous version, or maybe August. However, with Sony not planning any significant franchise titles before April 2025, this is merely speculation. Regardless, given the limited glimpses we’ve had so far, Ghost of Yōtei might outshine Ghost of Tsushima in terms of popularity.
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2024-09-27 15:42