After a lengthy period of quiet, Sony has disclosed additional information regarding the highly anticipated follow-up to Ghost of Tsushima during the most recent State of Play event. Ghost of Yotei is slated for an exclusive release on the PlayStation 5 in the autumn and will transport you to the northernmost of Japan’s main islands: This time it’s a journey to Hokkaido instead of Tsushima.
At the State of Play, the team from American studio Sucker Punch showcased the inaugural gameplay of the samurai action title and outlined the significant changes from its highly rated predecessor – and there are plenty.
Our Japan specialist Jesko examined the gameplay unveil of Ghost of Yotei and also shares five insights that have him celebrating on the table in front of his friends. We have included the English-language presentation below:
A classic revenge story
Unlike its predecessor Tsushima, Ghost of Yotei does not deliver a narrative about the virtuous nature of the samurai, but rather a grim tale of vengeance in the vein of Kill Bill. This is evident in the backstory of the main protagonist Atsu: Instead of belonging to the ruling warrior class, she is the child of a swordsmith from the remote region of Hokkaido.
As a young girl, Atsu’s family farm is raided by six enigmatic samurai, who slaughter her family and leave the injured Atsu for dead. Yet, the girl survives – the developers leave the specifics ambiguous. Sixteen years later, Atsu returns to her home island as an adult, intent on exacting revenge on the men responsible for her family’s demise.
The premise promises one thing above all: copious amounts of blood. As Atsu is not constrained by the samurai code, she can kill without hesitation, unlike Jin Sakai. However, Atsu is not a covert shinobi like Naoe from Assassin’s Creed Shadows – nor does she possess particularly noble motives. Atsu is merely a mercenary driven by revenge.
The new bounty system
As a mercenary disregarding the law, Atsu is understandably viewed with disdain by the authorities, leading to a bounty on her head that escalates as the narrative unfolds. With each target dispatched, your reputation as a ruthless killer grows – along with your bounty. Over time, increasingly formidable and lethal foes will pursue you.
Nonetheless, you can also try your hand at bounty hunting. In the towns and villages of Hokkaido, notice boards will regularly feature wanted criminals. By accepting one of the bounty missions and eliminating the specified target, you can use the rewards to boost Atsu’s limited resources.
Different weapons instead of sword styles
Another innovation relates to the combat mechanics of Ghost of Yotei: Rather than Jin Sakai’s sword styles from the first game, Atsu must switch weapons to counter various enemy types. The relatively lightweight Kusarigama (a chain sickle) may excel in surprise attacks, but only the formidable Ōdachi can contend with powerful barbarian foes.
Yotei will feature a total of five weapon types for you to switch between: Katana, spear, kusarigama, odachi, and the Daishō sword pair. These will replace the sword style wheel located at the bottom right of the screen. At first glance, it may seem reminiscent of the recently launched Assassin’s Creed Shadows, but Yotei aims for much tighter combat and precise controls. The ability for both Atsu and her foes to be disarmed following critical hits adds to this challenge. Timing and tactical acumen will be essential.
Additionally, there’s a new ranged weapon: Alongside the familiar short and long bows, the matchlock rifle introduces a genuine western-style firearm. By 1603, rifles were already widespread in Japan due to European trade.
Sing the campfire song
The side quests and companion narratives sometimes led to frustration in Tsushima, as players often had to traverse the map for just a single dialogue. Ghost of Yotei seeks to rectify this by introducing a camping feature. At the campfire, Atsu can cook, play the shamisen, upgrade weapons and armor, or converse with merchants and allies.
If your companions have updates for you, they will occasionally approach the campfire and discuss them with you. This