Summary
- Ghost of Yotei's story revolves around revenge, similar to its predecessor, Ghost of Tsushima.
- The next Ghost game should explore new territory and avoid relying on revenge as a central motivator.
- Future Ghost games could focus on political intrigue, redemption, and personal transformation, departing from revenge plots.
Ghost of Yotei has been drip-feeding players more information since its reveal last year, only recently offering up a much deeper look at its story than what has been disclosed so far. Until its most recent reveal, Ghost of Yotei's story was simply known as one of "underdog vengeance," opening the door for speculation regarding how that revenge tale would unfold. Now, more specifics on Atsu's revenge arc in Ghost of Yotei help shed light on what may result in a very compelling narrative, though the series may want to go a different direction from here on out.
By and large, Ghost of Yotei continues a trend that Sucker Punch's Ghost series should consider breaking in the next game. Now two entries deep, the Ghost franchise has entertained the idea of someone seeking revenge twice now, although Ghost of Yotei seems to be a bit more reliant on that trope than its predecessor was. Regardless, attempting to do yet another revenge arc in the next game may feel a tad repetitive, even if that game is still at least five or six years away.
How Ghost of Yotei’s Bounty System Can Avoid Being a Gimmick
Ghost of Yotei’s bounty system could shine if it ties into Atsu’s story, offering not just rewards but revelations that reshape her path to revenge.
Ghost of Yotei's Revenge Arc Continues a Trend the Series Should Break Soon
Ghost of Yotei and Ghost of Tsushima Both Have Revenge at the Heart of Their Stories
Based on what has been revealed so far about Ghost of Yotei's story, revenge is at its heart, just as it was in Ghost of Tsushima. After her homestead is raided and her family massacred by a group known as the "Yotei Six," Atsu makes it her goal to track down and eliminate each member of the group to exact her revenge. How exactly this plot will unfold remains a mystery, but Sucker Punch has confirmed that players will be allowed to kill each member of the Yotei Six in any order they wish.
To some extent, Ghost of Yotei's non-linear narrative indicates that the Yotei Six may not be the primary antagonists in the game and are simply what's standing between Atsu and her true enemy.
Ghost of Tsushima's story goes a similar route, though revenge isn't the central driving force in the traditional sense, as it seems to be in Ghost of Yotei. Jin Sakai starts off trying to rescue his uncle and defend Tsushima, but as he adopts the Ghost persona, he begins making more emotionally-driven decisions. Throughout Ghost of Tsushima's story, there's a subtle undercurrent of revenge, not only against the Mongols who have invaded Tsushima Island, but also against the samurai ideals that are holding him captive to methods that he deems ineffective. As the story progresses, Jin's tactics grow increasingly ruthless, especially when he encounters those who betray the island and its inhabitants.
The Next Ghost Game Should Give the Protagonist a Different Motivator
With Ghost of Yotei now seemingly expounding on the concept of revenge by centralizing its role in the story, and Ghost of Tsushima having carried an undercurrent of revenge that influenced Jin's actions, the next game in the Ghost series would be remiss not to explore new territory. Revenge is an effective way to justify violence, especially from a traditional samurai, but attempting to use it once more in a future Ghost game might be a bit too repetitive. Instead, whoever the next protagonist ends up being needs an entirely different motivator.
Now two entries deep, the Ghost franchise has entertained the idea of someone seeking revenge twice now, although Ghost of Yotei seems to be a bit more reliant on that trope than its predecessor was.
Given how much shifted politically during Japan's feudal era, perhaps a future Ghost game might see its protagonist navigating political alliances and power structures. The Ghost persona could remain intact, but be applied to someone who is also diplomatic. A future game could also follow a protagonist who seeks redemption for past actions, with themes that emphasize guilt, forgiveness, and personal transformation. There are several routes Sucker Punch's Ghost franchise could go that don't include revenge as a motivator, and Ghost of Yotei might signal the time for it to begin exploring those routes.
Ghost of Yotei
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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
