Ghost of Yōtei Review

I imagine one of the hardest things for this review was tracking down the macron for ‘Yōtei’. If I’m praising a game, the least I can do is get the grammar right. Right? And will I be heaping praise on Sucker Punch Productions latest foray into the historical annals of feudal Japan? Well yes. Yes I think I will be.

Released in 2020, Ghost of Tsushima was the latest franchise from Sucker Punch. They chose to step away from their successful inFAMOUS series. A title which bridged the gap for the studio between the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4. They would choose to tell the story of a samurai who would become myth, based around real world events. Jin Sakai was this samurai. As he went on a revenge-filled journey across the island of Tsushima, it was at the cost of their honor. The very code they take on when they become samurai. A gorgeous world thriving with guiding winds, epic duels, and really cute animals.

“When we had the opportunity to make a new game … we go back to that exact same question of, ‘What kind of fantasy do we want to fulfill?’ Both [co-creative director Nate Fox] and I are pretty big fans of samurai … It felt like a great fit for the team … It’s been a good hurdle for us and an opportunity to try something new that we’re passionate about.”

Jason Connell, Co-Creative Director (Source: The Washington Post)

Much like the guiding winds, the PlayStation 5 swiftly followed the release of Ghost of Tsushima. A Director’s Cut would release on the PS5 a year later. Then an additional release would come to the PC in 2024.

Which was the year Ghost of Yōtei was announced.

Taking place 329 years after the tale of Jin Sakai, Atsu (portrayed by Erika Ishii) is a sellsword roaming Ezo. A land which will one day become Hokkaido. Having returned from the wars in the south, they arrive with a sash carrying the names of six distinct figures.

The Snake. The Oni. The Kitsune. The Spider. The Dragon. Lord Saito.

The Yōtei 6.

Seeking revenge for events from their childhood, they’ll cover the land in blood as the Onryō; A spirit of vengeance from Japanese folklore. And unlike Jin, Atsu has no code and will use everything at her disposal to complete her quest. Which she will use across your epic journey.

First off. Follow the main story quest. It was 40 hours before the game told me I had finished a chapter. And I don’t think that’s supposed to happen. Not that I don’t think the developers intend for you to follow it, but it makes a difference to the war you wage. In my case, I spent 10 hours of the game using only two weapons, some ranged and some quickfire when really I could have been building myself up to the mythological levels Atsu deserves. I do understand how it can be so hard too, when there’s so many cosmetics to be found.

These can be found through a range of activities. The much touted bounty system, which not only has you hunting them down, but being hunted yourself. Sumi-e, which feels like an homage to Delsin Rowe from inFAMOUS: Second Son. And many others, along with returning activities such as Bamboo Strikes. But again, that main story quest. Because I also really went 14 hours without killing another of the Yōtei 6.

And I enjoy the freedom of that. While you can stack a tonne of quests, thanks to the new card system found on the map screen. You decide what you want to do. Add in random world events similar to Tsushima, and sometimes you can’t help but deviate from the MSQ.

All of this being delivered through the studios gorgeous SPACKLE engine.

From the reproduction of a beloved intro, to the serene fields of a Yōtei which finds itself split between 5 unique areas, it is a step above the visual fidelity of Tsushima. And it becomes abundantly clear when you visit areas under the control of The Oni and Kitsune, both bringing new environmental effects to the game. Especially one where I saw the rain fall from the tip of Atsu’s hat, while drips covered the map as I had it open through the touchpad.

Because if there’s one thing Sucker Punch are gonna do, it’s use the DualSense controller to its full potential. From forging to writing to starting a fire by blowing on the sparks, it makes you remember that the DualSense isn’t just buttons. It has a lot more technology within. And I’m glad Sucker Punch make use of this to start camp fires on which you’ll cook your food to add in-game daily buffs.

These camps can also restore spirit and welcome characters you’ve met along the way. This feature being one of many which brings a sense of liveliness to the world. And the most impressive thing the writing team has done this time around, is create a group of characters I loved during my time in the game. Outside of Yuna and Lady Adachi, I can’t really think of who else I cared for in Tsushima. But every vendor, mission character, and many more felt so lived in that I couldn’t help but come to give a damn about them.

“BUT WHAT ABOUT THE HORSE.”

I hear you. But you’ll have to discover the fate of our equine friend for yourself, along with others like the Wolf. The Wolf is a new addition to battle. A companion of sorts, and parallel, to the journey Atsu is taking on as the Onryō. And excellent timing, we are almost 1000 words in and we haven’t made the comparison that we’ll all no doubt make. Assassin’s Creed® Shadows. I have no idea how they’ve done it, but somehow the wolf feels like a more helpful and lively companion than Naoe and Yasuke ever felt on their journey. In fact, you will work more with the wolf in 20 hours, than I think you do with your companion in the entirety of Shadows.

The wolf works alongside the many new weapons in Yōtei. Jin’s code bound him to the sword, but this isn’t something Atsu cares for. Your additional styles are other weapons, which also extend into both ranged and quickfire weapons. While Jin was a bit more shadowy, and not so loud, if Atsu needs to blow something up to win, she’ll do it. Thanks not only to the returning flame arrows, but also the new firearms which are available to her in this new time period. Time…oh god, time.

70 hours in and I’m still finding things to do everywhere. I don’t even know if I’ve finished. Or can say I’m finished. But with one of the most fun ways to reset the storyline after the final battle, there’s so much more to pick away at. Perhaps you run around in the Kurosawa, Miike or Watanabe modes. Each fashioning the game in new, dramatic ways. Watanabe mode impressing me most, as it modernized the game aesthetic with its lo-fi hip hop soundtrack.

Maybe you finish off the excellent shrines, or solve the new puzzle boxes. Maybe you fight the true end game boss, or go play shamisen in the wild ranges of Yōtei. All the while, taking gorgeous photos as you crawl along the world edge, wondering if it it goes further or if it is its end.

I want to go back.

I’m assuming New Game+ will come with the free multiplayer Legends add-on which will arrive next year. And with one trophy missing from my life (trophies can be disabled for early review to avoid spoilers), there’s even more reason for me to go back.

Is Atsu’s journey better than Jins? Yes. And no. And I feel like the ‘no’ has a bit more plausibility behind it because her journey is so different to Jin Sakai.

“We love Jin Sakai… But when we set out on the long road to creating a sequel, we wanted to make something that excited us all at Sucker Punch. We think that enthusiasm and love for building an origin story comes through for players being able to experience something very new as well.”

Nate Fox, Co-Creative Director (Source: VGC)

I find it hard to call it a sequel. While it’s the same pedigree as Tsushima, it feels so detached from Jin’s period in time and his story that it only works to both enhance the stories of the Ghost and the Onryō. It gives their myth even more credence, inserting them further into the folklore of the lands and people. And if that’s the case, then I’m happy to see what ghost may need to exact their revenge next.

10 HELL YEAH!

From its respect for the Ainu, through to presenting a character bent on revenge who begins to see that this line is far blurrier than they think, it has been a treasure to explore.

Sucker Punch Productions deliver once again, continuing their heritage of brilliant games. From Sly Raccoon, through to their new hero Atsu, they stand tall as one of the many powerhouse studios that fall under PlayStation. And they love reminding you just how good single player games can be.