Ghost of Yotei: Everything We Know

After the huge success of Ghost of Tsushima, it’s only appropriate that a follow-up arrive on our doorsteps sooner rather than later. And the good news is that a sequel is coming sometime soon. Moreover, the developing team for the new game promises more of Ghost of Tsushima, except with a story and era told from a completely new perspective. How cool is that? It’s still pretty early stages. Still, we’ve rounded up a couple of key details about the upcoming Ghost of Yotei below.

What is Ghost of Yotei?

Ghost of Yotei is an upcoming action-adventure game. It will be a standalone sequel to the critically acclaimed Ghost of Tsushima. So, we can expect an open-world tantalizing experience that isn’t afraid to go hard on ghosts and spooky vibes. While at it, we’ll likely receive the same high caliber of solid combat and stealth mechanics, if not better. But most importantly, the new game intends to delve into a brand new story in a different era within Japan. So, it looks like we’re about to explore another hidden gem. It'll likely be a compelling setting with deep lore and importance to Japan’s history.

Story

So, Sucker Punch is keeping the story under wraps for now, or at least the full description of it. The developing studio has only let us in on a few details. These all point to a new hero in the sequel to the highly successful Ghost of Tsushima. The new hero will be a ghost, and no, it won’t be Jin Sakai, the ghost. See, Ghost of Tsushima is set in the 1200s. So, unless Jin Sakai still lives on in 1603, which is the setting for the new game, nearly 300 to 400 years later, and as a ghost for sure, we won’t be seeing the protagonist from the first game. Instead, you will be controlling a new protagonist, who is revealed to be called Atsu. 

The new game will tell a brand new story about a new protagonist, Atsu. Furthermore, it’ll take place in a new setting in Japan, where you’ll be free to explore at your own pace. Specifically, Ghost of Yōtei will take place in the regions around Mount Yotei. This mountain can be seen towering above the world setting. It's situated in the heart of Ezo, the area of Japan known today as Hokkaido. Interestingly, Mount Yotei and the lands around it were free from the rule of Japan. And while the area enjoyed independence, it still flourished with lush grasslands and snowy plains. However, there are unexpected dangers, too.

Compared to Ghost of Tsushima’s organized samurai clans, Mount Yotei’s setting in Ghost of Yōtei will be more chaotic. Overall, we just can’t wait to see what Sucker Punch has been cooking for us. 

Gameplay

At the moment, Sucker Punch has let very little information about the gameplay for Ghost of Yōtei slip. All we know is that it’ll follow closely in the footsteps of its predecessor. So, you can look forward to immersive exploration, solid combat, and stealth, too. For now, Sucker Punch has delved more into the world setting. They intend to build on the stunning locations in Ghost of Tsushima to create even more realistic surroundings. Some of the innovative features you can look forward to include “massive sightlines that let you look far across the environment, whole new skies featuring twinkling stars and auroras, and even more believable movement from wind on grass and vegetation.” Apparently, the new setting will allow the developers to add “new mechanics, gameplay improvements, and even new weapons.”

Development

Sucker Punch Productions is back at it again with the sequel to their critically acclaimed Ghost of Tsushima. The same studio has been working on the sequel for some time now; it’s a wonder how they managed to keep the development process on the down low. Indeed, the sequel came as a surprise, albeit a heck of a great one, and, well, we just cannot wait for more details about the game. Thankfully, Andrew Goldfarb, Senior Communications Manager at Sucker Punch Productions, let us in on some of the key details they intend to add to the new game. For instance, he reveals that their goal is to retain the ‘core pillars established in Ghost of Tsushima’ in the sequel. So, definitely expect to play as a ‘wandering warrior in Feudal Japan’ with open-world exploration however you like. 

Most notable in Ghost of Tsushima was the freedom to mount your horse and gallop across stunning vistas and immersive nature. From the trailer, it seems horse riding will return as you comb through the beauty of the new setting around Mount Yotei. Furthermore, Goldfarb adds that the team is focusing on innovation. They aim to create a game that is ‘fresh but familiar.’ “We looked beyond Jin Sakai’s story and the island of Tsushima and shifted our focus to the idea of the Ghost instead,” to which Goldfarb adds, “At Sucker Punch, we love origin stories, and we wanted to explore what it could mean to have a new hero wearing a Ghost mask, and uncovering a new legend. This led us to Ghost of Yōtei: a new protagonist, a new story to unfold, and a new region of Japan to explore.”

Trailer

Check out a quick glimpse into the world of Ghost of Yōtei via the announcement trailer embedded above. It showcases a mix of gameplay and in-game cinematic footage, giving you a rough idea of what you can expect in the final game.

Release Date, Platforms, & Editions

Ghost of Yōtei will be launching sometime in 2025. It’ll be the first game Sucker Punch develops from the ground up exclusively for PlayStation 5. As for the editions and more information concerning Atsu’s journey, the characters, and even the animals you’ll interact with, Sucker Punch promises to release them in the upcoming months. 

So, what’s your take? Will you be grabbing a copy of Ghost of Yotei when it drops? Let us know over on our socials here.