Summary
- Ghost of Yotei introduces new protagonist Atsu seeking vengeance in 1603 Ezo, setting up a compelling story.
- Legacy of Jin Sakai may inspire less honorable samurai to become Ghosts, potentially creating new gameplay challenges.
- Atsu in Ghost of Yotei may face regular attacks from other Ghosts inspired by Jin's success, adding a new layer of combat.
While the upcoming release of Ghost of Yotei is great news for those who have been awaiting another Ghost game, it simultaneously comes with the news that Jin Sakai, Ghost of Tsushima's protagonist, will be replaced by a brand-new protagonist by the name of Atsu. Set 300 years after the events of Ghost of Tsushima, Ghost of Yotei takes players to the land of Ezo (modern-day Hokkaido), as Atsu seeks vengeance for the death of her family and the razing of her homestead, setting up what will likely be a compelling tale.
Since three centuries have passed between Ghost of Tsushima and Ghost of Yotei, it would make sense for Jin's success to have had a wider-reaching impact than on Tsushima Island. If Sucker Punch has taken that into consideration with the upcoming entry, it's possible Ghost of Yotei's Atsu might find herself at odds with Jin's legacy rather than being supported by it. This would not only allow for some unique gameplay mechanics that weren't present in Ghost of Tsushima, but it would also open the door for the Ghost franchise to be even more creative in future entries.
Ghost of Yotei's Secret Ingredient Could Be its Verticality
Ghost of Yotei's apparent emphasis on verticality could be its secret to topping the open world and environmental standard set by its predecessor.
Ghost of Yotei's Atsu Might Not Be the Only Ghost
Jin Sakai's Success Might Have Inspired Less Honorable Samurai
While a big part of Ghost of Tsushima's story revolved around Jin's inner conflict as he weighed the advantages and disadvantages of adopting the Ghost persona and forsaking the honorable samurai code, he was nonetheless successful after he fully embraced the Ghost persona and used it to dishonorably subdue his enemies. In the end, Jin chose the Ghost because he saw it as the most efficient way to drive back the Mongol invasion of Tsushima Island, protect the remaining survivors, and secure a safer environment for the foreseeable future.
Since three centuries have passed between Ghost of Tsushima and Ghost of Yotei, it would make sense for Jin's success to have had a wider-reaching impact than on Tsushima Island.
However, despite how successful Jin might have been due to his adoption of the Ghost persona, it could also come with a massive downside — more Ghosts that aren't as "good" as Jin. Upon witnessing Jin's success as the Ghost, it would make sense for other skilled samurai to adopt a similar persona and use it against their enemies. The only question is, what happens when a "good" samurai is the enemy of a "bad" samurai? This could very well be the case in Ghost of Yotei, which would see Atsu regularly fending off other Ghosts during her journey.
Ghost of Yotei Could See Atsu Fending Off Other Ghosts
Assuming other samurai have been inspired by Ghost of Tsushima's Jin Sakai, it's possible that his legacy could backfire on Atsu, giving players an entirely new challenge to face in Ghost of Yotei. Perhaps players could be regularly ambushed by other Ghosts while they're exploring the world who have an assignment from a higher power to eliminate her. It could be done in a similar fashion to God of War Ragnarok's Berserkers as well, where players travel to certain areas of the map where Ghosts await their arrival, after which they face off with them in open combat or a test of stealth.
If Ghost of Yotei does place any weight at all on Jin's legacy, not incorporating other Ghosts beyond Atsu would arguably be a misstep. If Atsu, a protagonist who appears 300 years after Ghost of Tsushima, adopted the mantle of the Ghost, surely other samurai have as well (and not just those who will potentially appear in other entries as protagonists). As such, it would only make sense for Ghost of Yotei to pit Atsu against Jin's legacy in some way, potentially seeing her encountering others just like her, though not the friendly kind.
Ghost of Yotei
-
OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 87 /100 Critics Rec: 94%
- Released
- October 2, 2025
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Drug Reference, Intense Violence, Language, Partial Nudity, Use of Alcohol
- Developer(s)
- Sucker Punch
- Publisher(s)
- Sony Interactive Entertainment
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Action, Adventure, Open-World
