Ghost of Yotei

Ghost of Yotei is the spiritual successor to Ghost of Tsushima from the same studio, Sucker Punch Productions, moving the story centuries later to the mountainous region around Mount Yotei on Hokkaido. The protagonist is samurai warrior Atsu, who after the murder of her family sets out on a long journey of revenge against a group of raiders, exploring along the way an open world full of snow-covered plains, dense forests, mountain shrines, and remote villages. The combat system builds on the proven foundation of the previous game but expands the selection of weapons and fighting styles, letting the player adapt their approach to the type of opponent and situation, whether that means a direct face-to-face duel or a silent elimination from the shadows.

On PlayStation 5, the game harnesses the console's power to render a vast, visually stunning landscape with dynamic weather and changing seasons that heighten the atmosphere of a lonely journey across the wilderness. The soundtrack again combines traditional Japanese instruments with cinematic orchestration, and together with the emphasis on composition — where the wind itself points the way to the next objective — supports the studio's intent to evoke the feel of a classic samurai film. The game also offers the popular black-and-white cinematic mode with period-appropriate sound, which further heightens the cinematic impression and nods to inspirations from last century's Japanese cinema.

Ghost of Yotei was one of the most anticipated exclusive titles for PlayStation 5 and built on the success of its predecessor both in the scope of its open world and in the craftsmanship of its environments and story. During their journey, the player encounters side stories of villagers, merchants, and travelers who flesh out the picture of a shattered land, and the side content is designed to complement the main revenge storyline rather than needlessly padding it out with empty tasks. Despite the different setting and an entirely new heroine, the game retains the tone, pacing, and focus on atmosphere that made the first entry one of the most beloved samurai action titles of the entire console generation, and the sequel builds further on that reputation.

Why play it: For fans of the previous entry and newcomers alike looking for a sprawling samurai open world, where side stories complement the heroine's revenge without needlessly padding it out with empty tasks.