Now that Ghost of Yotei has officially confirmed its release date, the wait for this anticipated follow-up to Ghost of Tsushima suddenly feels a lot shorter. Slated to release this fall, Ghost of Yotei looks to set itself apart from its predecessor with bold changes that are both thrilling and risky. Set 300 years after the events of Ghost of Tsushima, Yotei introduces a brand-new protagonist, Atsu, and her mission is far different from Jin's.
In Ghost of Tsuhsima, Jin's mission was to save his people from the Mongol invasion, which is in stark contrast to Atsu's bloody quest for revenge in Yotei. In order to avenge the murder of her family, Atsu is headed down a much darker road, and while revenge stories can be gripping, Sony released another game with this type of narrative not too long ago. The Last of Us Part 2 lives on as one of the most shocking games of the past decade, and while it provides a strong blueprint for telling a revenge story, Ghost of Yotei's tale should bring something new to the table.
Ghost of Yotei Creative Directors Share New Gameplay and 'Non-Linear' Campaign Details
Co-creative directors, Nate Fox and Jason Cornell provide fans with new gameplay and story campaign details for Ghost of Yotei.
Ghost of Yotei's Revenge Plot Shouldn't Recycle The Last of Us Part 2's Narrative
Ellie Discovers That Revenge is a Hollow Reward
Throughout The Last of Us Part 2, Ellie is in constant pursuit of Abby, eventually finding her imprisoned at the Rattlers' compound in Santa Barbara. It is there that the two have a desperate showdown, and while it seems as though Abby is bound to meet her end at the hands of Ellie, that is not what ultimately occurs. Instead, a sudden burst of clarity brings Ellie to the realization that getting revenge will only cause more pain. It won't bring back any of the people she has lost along the way. Abby escapes, and Ellie is left alone, her hunger for revenge driving her remaining allies away. It's a brutal lesson that still continues to be a divisive subject.
Ghost of Yotei is set to launch on October 2, 2025 for the PS5.
Atsu's Revenge Needs a Fresh Angle
If Ghost of Yotei intends to use revenge as a primary theme, it needs to avoid rehashing the story of The Last of Us 2. Instead of depicting revenge as the source of a never-ending cycle of pain, Atsu's journey in Ghost of Yotei could showcase how revenge can sometimes bring closure. Ghost of Yotei needs to stand on its own, and Atsu fully embracing a descent into darkness could be a fascinating way to do so.
However, if developer Sucker Punch doesn't want to venture down such a dark road with its protagonist, there is also room for Ghost of Yotei to let Atsu have a happy ending after getting revenge. Ellie's fate at the end of The Last of Us Part 2 is bleak. While that approach was powerful, Ghost of Yotei could allow Atsu to fulfill her mission without ending up alone.
One of the most anticipated changes in Ghost of Yotei is the game's new arsenal of weapons. Atsu will be able to dual wield katanas and even use matchlock guns.
Ghost of Yotei could allow Atsu to fulfill her mission without ending up alone.
Ghost of Yotei Has a Hard Road Ahead
Between the potential comparisons to The Last of Us Part 2's take on revenge and the high expectations set by Ghost of Tsushima, Ghost of Yotei has found itself in a tough situation. Meeting, or exceeding, the bar set by its predecessor is no easy task, and making a revenge story feel fresh is its own unique challenge.
Regardless, Ghost of Yotei is an exciting new path that could bring yet another beautifully violent and harrowing story to life. Atsu's story may not be as selfless as Jin Sakai's fight for the island of Tsushima, but that's ultimately what makes her chapter so intriguing.
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
