Ghost of Yotei still has yet to lock in an official release date, but developer Sucker Punch's 2025 target still seems to be intact. As a major departure from its predecessor, Ghost of Yotei is an exciting shake-up that promises a variety of exciting new features that the first game was unable to showcase. Jumping 300 years into the future with a fresh protagonist is just the tip of the iceberg, which makes Ghost of Yotei one of the most intriguing games of the year.
Despite being planned for a 2025 launch, much of Ghost of Yotei remains a mystery, but an updated synopsis for the game seems to reveal a major new mechanic: bounty hunting. The synopsis reads, "Filled with fury and determination, Atsu will hunt down those responsible for the death of her family and exact her revenge. Every odd job and bounty will provide the coin she needs for her journey. But how she fights, survives, and evolves the legend of the Ghost, will be up to you." The emphasis on odd jobs and bounties is compelling, and it could mark Red Dead Redemption as a potential source of inspiration.
Ghost of Yotei's Secret Ingredient Could Be its Verticality
Ghost of Yotei's apparent emphasis on verticality could be its secret to topping the open world and environmental standard set by its predecessor.
Red Dead Redemption Could Hold Influence Over Ghost of Yotei's Teased Bounty System
It's important to note that Sucker Punch has not officially stated that Red Dead Redemption has influenced Ghost of Yotei, but with the former having one of the most notable bounty-hunting systems in modern gaming, it's highly possible. Throughout the Red Dead Redemption franchise, players can either hunt or be the hunted, depending on one's in-game actions. Considering the outlaw setting, it only makes sense for Red Dead Redemption to put an emphasis on bounties, even if it's simply a side activity.
What makes Ghost of Yotei even more intriguing, though, is that the new game synopsis makes it sound as though bounty-hunting and side gigs will be central to the gameplay. Working for the "coin" needed to help Atsu on her quest for revenge makes it seem like bounty-hunting will get a special spotlight throughout the story, and it could be incredibly exciting if pulled off effectively.
Right now, it's unclear if Atsu is connected to Ghost of Tsushima's Jin Sakai in any way.
New Features Confirmed For Ghost of Yotei
- Set in Hokkaido in 1603
- Matchlock guns
- Dual-wielding katanas
- Kusarigama
With the new weapons at one's disposal, bounty-hunting in Ghost of Yotei has the potential to be one of the most successful parts of the game. Atsu is a mysterious character, and discovering how she approaches a life of bounty-hunting promises some thrilling encounters. Whether one prefers stealth or a more aggressive style, bounty-hunting seems like a great additional mechanic to explore these options further.
1603 marks the beginning of the Edo period. This era of Japan was defined by a strict social hierarchy; Atsu's apparent journey of violence is in direct defiance of this era.
Ghost of Yotei Could Be Just Around the Corner
If recent rumors are true, then Ghost of Yotei may arrive sooner than expected. Claims from two separate sources have mentioned both July and August, but it remains to be seen if these predictions turn out to be accurate. If true, Sony could have a big summer on its hands, which would be exciting. With Death Stranding 2 coming in June, getting a double dose of Sony exclusives with Ghost of Yotei following behind would be big for PS5 players.
However, Ghost of Yotei still hides in the shadows, as of now. A fresh update is hopefully waiting in the wings, and when that fresh news comes, there will also potentially be a deeper look into what Ghost of Yotei's bounty mechanics are like.
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
