What we know about Ghost of Yotei

Following the massive success of Ghost of Tsushima, the long-awaited follow-up, Ghost of Yotei, is one of the most anticipated games of the year.

Recent gameplay reveals, developer interviews, and announcements have given us a treasure trove of exciting information about what to expect.

From a brand-new protagonist and story to massive updates in combat and exploration, there are some incredible changes coming.

Let’s dive into everything you need to know about Ghost of Yotei.

 

A New Protagonist, A New Story

This time, we step into the shoes of Atsu, a fearsome warrior known to the people of Ezo as an Oniro—a vengeful ghost.

Her story is a classic tale of revenge.

16 years prior, Atsu’s family was murdered by a powerful group of warriors known as the Yotei 6. Left for dead and pinned to a tree by one of their blades, she miraculously survived.

Now, with that very blade in hand, she’s on a quest to hunt down the six warriors who wronged her, a task the developers have called “impossible.”

To deepen the narrative, players can return to Atsu’s childhood home and revisit memories of her past with the touch of a button, building a powerful connection to her family and motivations.

While the game shares mechanics and its beautiful Japanese setting with Ghost of Tsushima, it is a spiritual successor, not a direct sequel. You won’t need to have played Jin Sakai’s story to jump right into Atsu’s journey, making it perfect for newcomers.

 

Changes to Gameplay & Freedom

One of the biggest improvements in Ghost of Yotei is the emphasis on player freedom. The game introduces a new clue system that lets you tailor your experience. As you explore and interrogate enemies, you’ll uncover clues that guide you toward different gameplay styles.

• The Oni path will point you toward samurai-style battles and skills.
• The Kitsune path leads you down a more stealth-focused, ninja-like route.

While you’ll have choices about which members of the Yotei 6 to pursue first, the story isn’t just an open-world checklist.

The developers have crafted a narrative with proper character arcs to ensure the story hits home, blending the freedom of exploration with a compelling, structured quest for vengeance.

Exploration itself is more organic. You’re encouraged to simply pull out your spyglass, spot something interesting in the distance, and go investigate. Traversal is also more stylish, with flower streams allowing you to move through the world much faster.

A Deeper, More Varied Combat System

The combat in Ghost of Yotei has received a massive overhaul, particularly in the weapons department.

Atsu can wield a wide array of weapons, including the katana, spear (Yari), kusarigama, odachi, and even dual swords. This system replaces the stances from the first game, requiring you to switch weapons on the fly to counter different enemy types.

• The Yari is a spear perfect for crowd control and fighting at a distance. Its standout moves include a “rushing impale” to close gaps and a vaulting kick that can send enemies flying off ledges.
• The Kusarigama functions like Scorpion’s spear from Mortal Kombat, letting you hook enemies and pull them in for devastating executions. You can even set it on fire for wide, sweeping attacks that burn multiple foes at once.
• Dual Katanas are shown to be particularly effective against spear users, allowing for lightning-fast combos.

 

New Ranged Options & Mechanics

Jin was fond of his bow, but Atsu’s arsenal is expanding to include firearms.

We’ve seen a long-ranged gun that can take out enemies in a single shot, but its slow reload time means you’ll have to use it strategically.

You can also throw your swords for a quick dispatch if you get surrounded.

A new disarm mechanic adds another layer of depth. If you’re hit hard enough, you can be disarmed, but you can also use this against your enemies, leaving them defenseless.

Your Allies and the World

Atsu won’t be entirely alone on her journey. She’ll befriend a mysterious wolf based on the real-world, extinct Ezo Wolf.

This isn’t a pet you simply command; the developers describe it as a wild, independent ally that represents the untamed nature of Ezo.

The wolf will even have its own dedicated skill tree, hinting at a deep and evolving partnership.

Bounties and Side Activities

As Atsu’s legend as the Oniro grows, so too will the bounty on her head, attracting more powerful warriors to challenge you.

On the flip side, Atsu can take on her own bounties to hunt down powerful mini-bosses for extra rewards.

Throughout the world, you can discover Altars of Reflection, which grant you new skill points to unlock powerful abilities like perfect parrying and disarming counters.

 

Quality of Life and Immersion

• Legends Mode Returns: The fan-favorite co-op mode is back! It will once again be a free DLC featuring two-player story missions and four-player survival modes.
• New Character Menu: The old journal is gone, replaced by a cool character-driven UI. By resting at camps, important characters and objectives will bring updates directly to you, creating a more immersive and seamless experience.
• Expanded Customization: Yotei features even more customization options, whether you prefer a noble samurai look or a stealthy ninja aesthetic.
• Photo Mode: The beloved photo mode returns, allowing you to capture the stunning world. You can now change the time of day, making it easier than ever to get that perfect shot.
• Cinematic Modes: The unique visual filters are back and better than ever!
  • Kurosawa Mode: The classic black-and-white filter returns.
  • Miike Mode: Inspired by director Takashi Miike, this mode features a closer camera with a focus on blood and mud.
  • Watanabe Mode: Based on Samurai Champloo director Shinichirō Watanabe, this mode plays lo-fi beats while you explore.
• Full Japanese VO: For ultimate immersion, the game will support full Japanese voice-over with lip-syncing from day one.

Not long now!

Overall, Ghost of Yotei looks to be a significant evolution of the original.

It looks to expand on everything we loved while adding more freedom, variety, and depth to create an unforgettable samurai epic.

Only a couple of weeks to go, and we’ll be doing the full works on a review.