Ghost of Yotei Scratches That Cinematic Itch You’ve Been Wanting and It Improves Everything From Tsushima (Review)

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After a long wait, the PlayStation exclusive *Ghost of Yotei* has arrived. The game centers on a young woman seeking revenge for the loss of her family, and explores the harsh realities and repeating patterns of violence. The story feels reminiscent of other recent titles – it shares similarities with Ubisoft’s *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*, both being set in Japan around 25 years apart. It also touches upon themes previously explored in *The Last of Us Part II*, which came out shortly before *Ghost of Tsushima*.

Okay, so the basic idea of a revenge story isn’t exactly groundbreaking, but it’s a classic samurai trope, and honestly, *Ghost of Yotei* nails it. It really puts its own spin on things. I’ve gotten totally lost in the story – it’s really powerful and emotional. And the gameplay? Super engaging and satisfying. I’ve already sunk so many hours into exploring the open world, it’s ridiculous! Seriously, Sucker Punch has delivered a sequel that PlayStation fans have been waiting for, and it hits all the right spots.

Rating: 4/5

Pros Cons
Gorgeous art direction Non-linear structure leads to uneven pacing
Fulfilling revenge story with strong themes Side content can become too checklist-y
Cinematic and satisfying combat
Captivating open world to get lost in

Ghost of Yotei’s Satisfying Story, Yet Uneven Pacing, Is a Stark Comparison to The Last of Us 2

In *Ghost of Yotei*, players follow Atsu as she seeks revenge on the group of killers and warlords who destroyed her family. When she was a child, the Yotei Six attacked her home, murdering her family and leaving her for dead after a brutal attack. The game begins shortly after this tragedy, quickly establishing Atsu’s motivations and launching players into the action. Rather than a lengthy, graphic introduction, the developers at Sucker Punch reveal the details of that horrific day gradually through flashbacks woven into the narrative.

Balancing the personal stories within the main plot is tricky, but it really lets each member of Atsu’s family have their own impactful scene. The game doesn’t waste time getting to the action, letting you begin your quest for revenge almost immediately. This approach is effective and avoids unnecessary tutorials. Soon, you’re exploring a vast open world and getting clues to track down the members of the Yotei Six.

For roughly the first half of the game, you’re free to choose which characters and quests you focus on, letting you play at your own pace. However, this freedom also creates some issues. Because you can tackle quests in any order, the story doesn’t always feel connected, and the character of Atsu doesn’t develop consistently. He mainly grows during specific quest lines, rather than throughout the entire game.

The game’s story feels a bit fragmented, especially if you play through quests one after another. Switching between different questlines might help, but it still points to a problem with the pacing. Fortunately, the story becomes more streamlined in the second half as Atsu’s personal journey gains focus, and that’s where some of the most memorable parts of her story happen. The earlier parts aren’t *bad*, just a little disconnected at times.

There’s a unique power when all the elements of *Ghost of Yotei* come together. This isn’t a typical revenge story filled with guilt or internal struggle. Atsu is fully committed to her path when we first encounter her, becoming a legendary figure of vengeance to the people of Yotei. While seeking revenge feels strong and even exhilarating as a player, Sucker Punch skillfully shows the consequences of those choices over time.

Taking down powerful enemies might earn you allies, but you’ll also witness the consequences of taking the law into your own hands. This leads to a story about how violence breeds more violence, a theme explored in *The Last of Us Part 2*, which some players may find familiar. However, Sucker Punch approaches this topic in a fresh and compelling way, delivering a powerful message that’s also incredibly satisfying for players.

The story doesn’t feel preachy or needlessly depressing; instead, it shows the consequences of revenge for everyone involved. This gives Atsu believable motivations, making her character development feel natural and well-deserved. I was ultimately very satisfied with how the story ended, and impressed by how Sucker Punch managed to deliver both a thoughtful message and a truly rewarding experience.

Ghost of Yotei’s Combat Is Better Than Ghost of Tsushima’s

PlayStation games are often celebrated for their movie-like stories, complete with impressive scenes and cutscenes. *Ghost of Yotei* takes this a step further, making even regular gameplay feel cinematic. Beyond the big battles and dramatic duels in beautiful locations, the game creates unscripted, film-like moments within each fight.

Many action games with close-quarters combat feel unsatisfying – the hits don’t feel impactful, and swinging your weapon can feel random and ineffective. However, that’s not the case with *Yotei*.

Each swing of your sword powerfully connects with either your opponent or their weapon. Combat flows smoothly, like a dance between you and your enemy. The excitement of a movie swordfight often comes not from seeing someone get hurt, but from the building tension as blades meet. You feel the danger with every clash, knowing a single hit could be deadly, and it’s captivating to watch two people react instantly to each other’s movements in a fight for survival.

Ghost of Yotei’s combat system feels remarkably solid and precise – there’s no awkwardness or unresponsiveness. However, this also means Atsu is quite fragile and can be defeated quickly. Despite this vulnerability, being pushed to the brink of defeat and successfully blocking a relentless attack is incredibly rewarding. Perfectly timing a parry to interrupt an enemy’s assault and create an opening for a decisive strike is a truly euphoric experience. Sucker Punch consistently challenges players by introducing risks like disarming, forcing you to adapt when your weapon is thrown across the battlefield.

If you lose your weapon, you can either fight with your fists or find another one. Enemies will try to prevent you from retrieving a dropped sword, forcing you to fight fiercely or think outside the box. You can restore your health by drinking sake, or even throw it to briefly stun opponents if you need to create an opening. If you’re out of sake, look for other throwable weapons, like discarded swords, to damage your enemies.

As a fan, one of the things I really hope they nail is the combat. It needs to *feel* good, not just *look* cool. Amazing animations are awesome, but if I’m not actually in control and making things happen, it’s like watching a movie instead of playing a game. I love that they’re including some powerful special moves for Atsu, but it’s smart to make you work for them – building up a long combo of successful attacks should be the key to unlocking that power. It makes those moments feel truly earned and satisfying!

Because battles are challenging, you’ll need skill, not just flashy moves, to succeed. The game demands you truly learn how to use every weapon and ability. It’s not about rushing in and attacking; it’s about being patient, planning your moves, dodging attacks, and countering at the right moment to win.

I’m really loving how many options there are in combat! As you play, you unlock tons of different weapons – everything from bows and guns to dual katanas and beyond. Each one feels unique and has its own strengths; some are great for smashing through enemy defenses, while others are all about dealing quick damage. Plus, you’ve got these awesome throwables like bombs. You can set enemies on fire or create a smokescreen to sneak up on them when they’re confused. It really lets you change up your approach to every fight!

Ghost of Yotei’s World Is a Treat to Get Lost In (But It Could Use More Interesting Side Activities)

The world of *Ghost of Yotei* is truly beautiful. I lost about ten hours completing side quests, exploring, and doing bounties before I even started the main story – and I didn’t even plan to! I was completely immersed in the experience. What’s really special is that the game’s interface disappears as you explore, letting you fully appreciate the details of the environment.

The game beautifully captures the feeling of a breezy spring day – you can almost feel the wind ripple through the grass and your clothes. It’s full of incredible details, like seeing wild horses thunder across fields and spotting distant plumes of smoke rising from hot springs. Even small things, like raindrops bursting on your map during a storm, feel realistic. The game really encourages exploration and creates a sense of wonder, reminding me a lot of *Red Dead Redemption 2*. I enjoyed simply riding my horse and getting lost, letting the interesting characters come to me with their requests and challenges.

This story truly captures the feeling of classic samurai films, following a solitary wanderer searching for inner peace. The world itself is beautifully designed, feeling both gentle and incredibly damaged by war and pollution. This stark contrast makes you sympathize with the main character’s fight against those who are destroying the world’s natural beauty.

While *Ghost of Yotei* has a beautiful open world, it can sometimes feel like a list of tasks to complete. The game features many optional activities – like finding hot springs, hitting bamboo targets, and discovering animal dens – that reward you with better stats or new items. Right now, as I try to unlock all of the game’s achievements, I find myself mostly just traveling quickly between locations to collect everything on the map.

Honestly, while I’m really enjoying the game overall, some of the side stuff just feels like a grind. I’ve been totally hooked on the little gambling mini-game, and that’s what the game *needs* more of – things that pull you in instead of feeling like chores. Like, Atsu collects fish by looting, then cooks them, which is okay, but it would be so much better if she could actually *fish* herself, maybe with her own rod! Or even a more involved hunting system where you gather materials from animals. That would add a lot more depth and make those side activities feel worthwhile.

Despite a few flaws, *Ghost of Tsushima* is a truly immersive and engaging game. The fighting is fast-paced and feels like an action movie, the story is exciting and emotionally satisfying, and the game world is stunning, even if it becomes somewhat predictable later on. In the end, Sucker Punch Productions has crafted a beautiful and moving tale of revenge.

A copy of Ghost of Yotei was provided by PlayStation for this review.

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2025-09-25 16:42