Ghost of Yotei is set hundreds of years after Ghost of Tsushima and takes place on a new island, Ezo. Sucker Punch seems to be setting the series up as an anthology, which is a great idea instead of focusing on one character on repeat. The star of this sequel is a young female samurai, Atsu, on a quest for revenge against fellow samurai who killed her family and left her for dead ages ago.
It’s a similar story to Jin’s in Ghost of Tsushima, minus the Mongol invaders. Similarities aside, Ghost of Yotei does add a lot of cool new features for a sequel. They may not completely blow anyone away, unlike the first game, but they are fun to use.
Beginner Tips and Tricks for Ghost of Yotei
If you're starting out in Ghost of Yotei, then check out these beginner tips and tricks so that you can master the blade.
Zeni Hajiki
A Great Mini-Game
There’s a great new mini-game in Ghost of Yotei called Zeni Hajiki. Players will flip large coins on a table, usually with obstacles built around a course, like cups. The goal is to hit one coin and eliminate each one until all coins are gone, or until players accumulate enough points. Sliding a coin off the table ends the turn and gives the opponent a point, while hitting multiple coins at once ends the turn without losing points. It’s as addictive as the Queen’s Blood card game in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth.
Skipping Certain Mini-Games
From Grilling To Smithing
There are other mini-games that are less addictive, including various activities at camp. Players can build a fire by flicking stones, or they can cook meals by flipping over fish or mushrooms. Both of these activities can be simplified in the options or skipped completely, which is nice. Another non-camp mini-game that can also be skipped is blacksmithing, which is how players upgrade their weapons in Ghost of Yotei, like the Wolf Blade.
The Photo Mode
It’s Not New, But It’s Great
Sucker Punch proved themselves to be one of the masters of photo modes in games when they released Ghost of Tsushima. Their expertise returns in Ghost of Yotei, and the photo mode is just as fun to mess around with as ever.
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It’s perhaps even better in the sequel, because the graphics are jaw-dropping on the PS5, especially when players visit different regions. From visiting snow-covered mountain peaks to beaches with rippling waves, there is a lot to appreciate in photo mode.
Standoffs
And Staged Duels
Another returning feature from the previous game are the Standoffs. Players can choose to enter camps stealthily and take out enemies from the shadows, or they can call out to enemies and have a big showdown at camp entrances. Nailing that first hit always looks cool and will help immerse players more into the world of cinematic samurai. Duels are another great part of the combat that can make the whole game feel more cinematic, and they are typically saved for big opponents in story missions or bounty requests in Ghost of Yotei.
Learning New Weapons
Could Have Used A Montage
New to this game are the weapons that Atsu can use beyond the bow or katana from the original. Players won’t just find weapons lying around and equip them. Instead, they will go through missions to learn how to use each new weapon they come across. These missions feature genuinely good stories, making them enjoyable rather than a chore.
It was a smart idea to have Atsu learn weapons through trials rather than to just give her a new weapon and a base done with it. One example in Ghost of Yotei includes the Dual Katanas, learned through the great master Hanbei.
Leveling Up In Nontraditional Ways
For Those Who Enjoy Less Combat
This game is not quite an RPG, like Ghost of Tsushima, but there are elements that players can use to improve Atsu’s powers. For example, if players go to Altar of Reflection points, they can learn new skills.
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If they go to bamboo stands, they can increase Atsu’s spirit, which is how she can perform skills both offensively and defensively. It does ultimately boil down to an open-world checklist to find all of these locations to get stronger, but it’s a much better functionality choice than the same old gameplay loop of defeating enemies and grinding for EXP.
Following Animals
Secrets Around Every Corner
Players can find upgrade points by naturally stumbling upon them, getting maps, or having NPCs point them out. One of the coolest ways to find things is through animal companions, which is why having a good sound system or headphones is important.
Finding a fox will lead players to a den where players can get things like accessories or upgrades for them. Wolves will lead players to fights, and then they can learn wolf skills. Best of all is the Golden Bird, which can lead players to every type of feature in Ghost of Yotei, from hot springs to any of the aforementioned other animals.
Kurosawa Mode Gets Some Rivals
Play With New Directors
In the first game, players could play it in Kurosawa Mode, which would turn the game black and white. This was named after the famous Japanese director, Akira Kurosawa, known most for films like Seven Samurai and Rashomon.
In the sequel, there are two more cinematic modes to add flavor to Ghost of Yotei. Miike Mode is named after another Japanese film director, Takashi Miike, and will add more mud and blood to combat. In Watanabe Mode, named after the anime director Shinichiro Watanabe, players can listen to lo-fi beats reminiscent of his famous anime, Samurai Champloo, which mixed hip-hop with samurai action.
Ghost of Yotei
- Released
- October 2, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Drug Reference, Intense Violence, Language, Partial Nudity, Use of Alcohol
- Genre(s)
- Action, Adventure, Open-World
