How the PS5 powered Ghost of Yōtei’s most heartwarming new feature

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The highly anticipated sequel to Sucker Punch’s Ghost of Tsushima, titled Ghost of Yōtei, is now available on PS5. After playing for about an hour, you’ll discover a really impressive new addition to the game – and it’s all thanks to the powerful technology of the PlayStation 5 itself. It’s a game changer!

During the prologue, when Atsu-the new protagonist voiced by Erika Ishii-visits the place where she grew up, you’ll immediately understand what we mean. It’s a key moment that sets the stage for everything to come.

With just one touch, you can instantly transport Atsu back to a cherished memory from her childhood. You’ll find yourselves in the very same place, but now experiencing Atsu’s past – a time when her parents were still with her. It’s as if, in the blink of an eye, you’ve been returned to those joyful days. Experience the past with a simple press of a button.

This is a clever technique, and we expect many other games will try to copy it going forward. For instance, it would be a great fit for the Star Wars Jedi games, as the main character already perceives ‘echoes’ from the past. It’s a natural extension of their existing mechanics.

Just before the release of Yōtei, we spoke with Nate Fox, a director on the game, to understand the reasoning behind this new feature and how they managed to implement it. So, what led to the inclusion of these flashbacks?

According to Fox, the goal is for players to truly connect with Atsu’s early life. They want players to understand why she has such a strong bond with her mother, even though her mother constantly pushes her to practice the shamisen. Or to appreciate her father and his typical dad jokes. These relatable moments are designed so that, when Atsu becomes angry about her lost life, players will fully understand her feelings.

As a fan, one of the things I love most is actually getting to play the game! You know how it is when you’re playing – I always find myself saying things like, ‘Ugh, I died on that level!’ It’s because you really are the character, and that’s just amazing. That feeling of being *in* the game, that level of immersion, is what makes games so special and unique, right?

Considering how smoothly the game transitioned into Atsu’s childhood, we wondered if the console’s Solid State Drive might have been responsible for enabling that seamless experience?

“You’re correct,” Fox explained to us. “The reason we’re able to have the level loaded twice is actually due to the powerful SSD in the PlayStation 5.”

From the beginning, that’s exactly what we were aiming for, and it all comes down to player agency. We really wanted players to feel the contrast between the character’s initial state – that sad, cold, and lonely reality – where she’s truly a lone wolf – and the ability to seamlessly revisit a time when things were warm and vibrant. It’s about letting them experience that shift and remember what this place used to be like, when it was full of life.

You know, Fox brought up something that really hit home with me. He asked if anyone’s ever gone back to their childhood bedroom at their parents’ house, and if memories just flood back when you walk in – whether those memories are good or not. It’s such a relatable thought, isn’t it? I definitely have, and it’s always a strange, powerful experience. It really makes you think. #memorylane

That was our intention, wasn’t it? The idea was that no matter your opinion, the past remains genuine and continues to exist within your memories. It felt like a compelling concept to integrate into a game.

Yes, it’s definitely impressive. And unlike the studio’s last game, Ghost of Tsushima, Yōtei won’t be released on PS4. This is a welcome change, and it’s not the only improvement. So, what other enhancements were made possible by moving away from older hardware?

Fox shared: “I really enjoy being able to focus on a single piece of hardware and explore it thoroughly, especially the DualSense controller. I think it’s incredibly impressive. It has capabilities that weren’t even conceivable just a decade ago, honestly.”

As a gamer, I’m telling you, haptics are a game-changer! It’s not just about seeing and hearing anymore – you can actually feel what’s happening in the game. I once let a friend who doesn’t play games try my DualSense controller, and they seriously jumped when it gave a little rumble! They were totally freaked out, saying it felt like it was possessed! It’s because they’re not used to games – or any media, really – reaching out to you through touch. It’s really cool and immersive, honestly.

Because this game is exclusive to PlayStation 5, we’re able to focus our efforts on details like the controller, ensuring it receives the attention it deserves.

Fox then shared a few examples of how the DualSense controller’s features are used in the game: “I especially like how you start a fire. You basically create a spark with flint, and you do that by simply swiping up on the touch pad. But the immediate response-what you feel while ‘striking’ the flint-makes it feel incredibly realistic, like you’re actually doing it.”

Is this a difficult part of the game? Not at all. It’s designed to help you feel more involved in the world. I think it’s great that the controller allows players to have these small, realistic experiences. We also use it in many other ways, such as for Sumi-e painting, or letting you *feel* the impact of sword clashes with the haptics.

Everything considered, it makes sense. I appreciate that we’re giving players the chance to experience gameplay in various ways and formats.”

For instance, you can simulate forging a sword by moving the controller up and down. As Fox explains, “Simply mimicking a hammering motion flattens the heated metal, allowing you to shape a sword. Have you ever imagined creating a katana?”

According to Fox, “It’s all part of the fantasy.” The technology within the PS5 truly enhances the feeling of being immersed in that world.

Ghost of Yōtei is out now on PS5 and you can order your copy here.

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2025-10-03 20:35