Nate Fox and Jason Connell of Sucker Punch, a PlayStation team, exceeded expectations for Ghost of Yotei with their presentation. Leaving behind the story of Jin Sakai, the honorable samurai of the first game, this time, Ghost of Yotei focuses on the bloody journey of a female mercenary named “Atsu,” consumed by vengeance. This journey will be experienced with never-before-seen artistic filters and brutal gameplay.

Ghost of Yotei is a Game of the Year candidate

Ghost of Tsushima’s iconic black-and-white Kurosawa mode is certainly returning. However, Sucker Punch takes the cinematic experience to the next level and brings in two other giants of Japanese cinema:

• Watanabe Mode: Perhaps the biggest surprise of the presentation was this mode, created by legendary anime director Shinichirō Watanabe. When you select this mode, melancholic and rhythmic lo-fi music composed by Watanabe himself plays in the background as you explore the game’s captivating world. This isn’t just a filter; it’s a mood-setter that changes the game’s mood.
• Miike Mode: For more daring players, the Takashi Miike mode, the master of cinematic violence, is here. This mode brings the camera even closer to our character, Atsu, allowing you to feel every sword stroke, every blood spatter, and every muddy encounter in your bones. By bringing the game’s brutality uncensored, the Miike mode aims to make the player experience the viciousness of revenge.

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These three modes transform “Ghost of Yotei” from a mere game into three distinct films that the player can direct at their own pace.

“Atsu is not a samurai. He has no code of honor,” Nate Fox’s words summarize the shift in gameplay philosophy. The first game’s unique stance system is replaced by a much more fluid and pragmatic weapon switching system:

Atsu can instantly switch between a single katana, double katana, a massive odachi sword, a spear, and a deadly chain weapon, the kusarigama. Each weapon offers specific advantages against different enemy types. For example, the Odachi’s crushing power is recommended against a bulky and armored foe, while the dual katana’s speed is recommended against a spear-wielding opponent.

A whole new layer of combat is added. Now, not only can enemies disarm themselves, but they can also disarm you. A moment of carelessness can rob you of your most trusted weapon, leaving you helpless mid-fight. This makes every encounter more tense and strategic.

Atsu’s lack of moral boundaries means he sees every means as justified when seeking revenge on the “Yotei Six,” the group that murdered his family. This gives the player the freedom to employ ruthless and creative combat tactics beyond stealth.

Sucker Punch is committed to creating a world that doesn’t rush the player, allowing them to enjoy exploration. Quests and clues are tracked through a card system based on the information you gather, rather than checklists. The biggest innovation is the camping mechanic:

You’ll be able to relax by setting up camp in the wild and cooking. But you won’t be alone. The fire you light can attract NPCs disguised as wanderers. These people might give you a new quest, sell you a rare weapon upgrade, or guide you to a secret ability. This dynamic system makes the world much more vibrant and unpredictable.

Atsu’s most loyal companion on this perilous journey will be his wolf, who aids him in battle. Furthermore, as your fame grows, a bounty will be placed on your head, allowing you to both evade bounty hunters and hunt bounties yourself to earn money.

On the technical front, a major fan request has been fulfilled: the game will be played entirely with Japanese voice acting and matching lip-syncing. This addresses a major shortcoming of the first game, ensuring complete authenticity.

Ghost of Yotei will be released on October 2, 2025. You can pre-order this game, which will be exclusive to PlayStation 5, for 3,449 TL.