Summary
- Ghost of Yotei can enhance immersion by implementing a wear-and-tear system affecting armor and weapons.
- A durability system could offer realism to combat but must avoid becoming a gimmick like in other games.
- Implementing battle-worn visuals and durability systems could deepen immersion in Ghost of Yotei.
Ghost of Tsushima has been successful for a number of reasons, but one of its most defining characteristics is its uncanny ability to effortlessly immerse players in its rendition of feudal Japan, and it accomplished this primarily with its open-world design and visuals. In addition to its captivating open world, Ghost of Tsushima also offers engaging gameplay, a compelling narrative, and plenty of content, all of which contribute to its immersive experience. However, even with all it has going for it, Ghost of Tsushima could have been even more immersive, particularly in one area, leaving Ghost of Yotei with a prime opportunity to pick things up where it left off.
Judging by its predecessor, Ghost of Yotei is expected to have detailed and engaging combat, in addition to the stealth elements introduced in Ghost of Tsushima. As exciting as it may be, though, Ghost of Yotei's combat could afford to be a bit more immersive than Ghost of Tsushima's by implementing a wear-and-tear system that directly affects Atsu's armor and weapons. Of course, this would have to graduate beyond being a gimmick, lest it incur a negative reception. To do this, it would need to strike a balance between the impact that realism can have on immersion and game mechanics implemented for the sake of increased challenge.
Ghost of Yotei Needs to Carry the Torch of Tsushima's Launch Legacy
After its predecessor's smooth launch, Ghost of Yotei needs to launch in a polished state, especially given the state games have been in lately.
Ghost of Yotei's Combat Should Feature Wear and Tear
Durability Mechanics Would Give a Greater Sense of Realism
The clearest way Ghost of Yotei could give a greater sense of realism to its combat is by incorporating a durability system. With a system like this, Atsu's gear in Ghost of Yotei would deteriorate over time, forcing players to keep them repaired at regular intervals if they hoped to remain effective in combat. The only downside to a durability system, however, is that it is often deemed too gimmicky, and that would likely especially be the case with a game like Ghost of Yotei. As such, it would need to be well-balanced to ensure it feels authentic while also adding another mechanical layer to Ghost of Yotei's gameplay.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild's durability system is a great example of one that has received a lot of hate due to its feelings of imbalance. Weapons break rather quickly in Breath of the Wild, forcing players to not only keep a considerable number of weapons on hand but to regularly swap them out to ensure they aren't caught with their guard down. Of course, this system is in place for a reason — to give credence to the sheer number of weapons available in the game and to encourage players to experiment with their playstyle.
Ghost of Yotei's combat could afford to be a bit more immersive than Ghost of Tsushima's by implementing a wear-and-tear system that directly affects Atsu's armor and weapons.
However, regardless of the purpose of Breath of the Wild's durability system, Ghost of Yotei would need to avoid replicating it as it is simply not tied to realism in any way. Weapons don't break that quickly, and Ghost of Yotei would need to abide by that. Instead, the game could ensure that Atsu's weapons and armor degrade at a noticeable rate while still slowing the process enough that players don't need to be constantly aware of it, as they do in a game like Breath of the Wild. This would help increase immersion by making it seem as though Ghost of Yotei's Atsu is truly using her weapons and armor to fend off enemies, rather than presenting her as an indomitable force of nature in an otherwise realistic world.
Atsu's Gear Should Look Like It's Been Through Battle
A durability system isn't the only way Ghost of Yotei's combat could leave a mark either, as it could also implement a system that leaves the blood of Atsu's enemies permanently on her armor and clothing until it is washed. In Ghost of Tsushima, players could see the blood of those Jin cut down remain on his armor and clothing temporarily, but it would disappear after a while. Ghost of Yotei could build on that by potentially forcing players to clean Atsu's clothing and armor by getting in water or taking them to an NPC who can wash them, much like players can with Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2's bathhouses.
Atsu's armor could also visibly feature dents and marks to not only reflect its durability but also to clearly indicate that she has been through battle.
If Ghost of Yotei wants to refine the immersive experience that Ghost of Tsushima laid the groundwork for, incorporating a durability system, along with more battle-worn visuals, could be a step in the right direction. However, these features would need to be carefully implemented to avoid feeling like mere gimmicks or unnecessary roadblocks. Striking that balance between realism and engaging gameplay would allow Ghost of Yotei to deepen its combat experience while maintaining player agency.
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
