Ghost of Yōtei
| Ghost of Yōtei | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Sucker Punch Productions |
| Publisher(s) | Sony Interactive Entertainment |
| Director(s) |
|
| Producer(s) | Brian Fleming |
| Composer(s) | Toma Otowa |
| Platform(s) | PlayStation 5 |
| Release | October 2, 2025 |
| Genre(s) | Action-adventure |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Ghost of Yōtei is an upcoming 2025 action-adventure game developed by Sucker Punch Productions and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment. It is a standalone sequel to the 2020 game Ghost of Tsushima.[1]
The game is scheduled to be released for the PlayStation 5 on October 2, 2025.
Gameplay
The game follows a third-person perspective and combines sword fighting, stealth, and exploration. Players can wield a diverse arsenal of weapons, such as a traditional katana (including dual wielding), tanegashima, ōdachi, yari, kusarigama, and the traditional kaginawa (grappling hook), enabling varied tactical approaches. New features include dynamic weather effects such as snow, rain, and auroras inspired by the real environment around Mount Yōtei.
Additionally, a flexible, non-linear quest structure allows players to choose the order in which they confront the Yōtei Six, fostering emergent narrative paths and player-driven momentum. Players will also be able to take on side missions, similar to the first game, with new content such as hunting outlaws for bounty rewards. Several side activities are available to players; bathing in an onsen and cutting bamboo strikes both return from Tsushima, alongside new activities including sumi-e painting and setting up a campsite where Atsu can cook and play her shamisen.
Premise
Ghost of Yōtei centers around the theme of "underdog vengeance". The story is set in the environs of Mount Yōtei in Ezo (modern day Hokkaido, Japan) in 1603, 329 years after the events of Tsushima. The main character, Atsu (Erika Ishii/Fairouz Ai), is a wandering rōnin who adopts the persona of the onryō, a spirit of vengeance in Japanese folklore. Atsu seeks revenge on the "Yōtei Six" – led by the renegade samurai Lord Saitō, and includes the Snake, Oni, Kitsune, Spider, and Dragon – who, sixteen years prior, had slaughtered her family, destroyed her home, and left her for dead pinned to a burning ginkgo tree with her father's katana.[2][3][4][5]
Development
Ghost of Yōtei's setting was inspired by Sucker Punch Productions's multiple visits to northern Japan. Creative director Jason Connell was struck by the beauty of Mount Yōtei reflecting across Lake Tōya. The development team recorded nature sounds at Shiretoko National Park.[2] The team relied upon cultural advisors during development, as well as visiting important cultural sites and consulting with the local Ainu people on their trips to Japan.[6]
Creative director Nate Fox wanted a sequel to Tsushima to maintain its core elements: "transporting the player to the romance and beauty of feudal Japan".[2] Combat was designed to mimic the feel of a "classic samurai movie".[7] Compared to Tsushima, the studio wanted to make the game world of Yōtei more varied, with more unique activities for players to complete.[8]
The game's lead voice actor is Erika Ishii.[9]
Release
Ghost of Yōtei was officially revealed during PlayStation's State of Play presentation on September 24, 2024,[1] and it was nominated for Most Anticipated Game at the Game Awards in November 2024.[10] On April 23, 2025, it was confirmed that the game is scheduled to be released for the PlayStation 5 on October 2, 2025.[5]
References
- ^ a b Gach, Ethan (September 24, 2024). "Here's Our First Look At Ghost Of Tsushima 2, Out Next Year". Kotaku. Archived from the original on September 24, 2024. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
- ^ a b c Small, Zachary (September 24, 2024). "Sequel to Ghost of Tsushima Expands a Fresh Sony Franchise". The New York Times.
- ^ Mambrucchi, Steeve (September 25, 2024). "Sucker Punch dévoile Ghost of Yôtei, le successeur de Ghost of Tsushima" [Sucker Punch unveils Ghost of Yôtei, the successor to Ghost of Tsushima]. Gamekult (in French).
- ^ "Ghost of Yōtei - Games". PlayStation. Retrieved April 15, 2025.
- ^ a b Goldfarb, Andrew (April 23, 2025). "Ghost of Yōtei comes to PlayStation 5 on October 2". PlayStation.Blog. Retrieved April 23, 2025.
- ^ Bailey, Dustin (May 15, 2025). "Ghost of Yotei devs know "how ignorant we were about Japanese culture," but as with Ghost of Tsushima they've had "cultural advisors" to help "deliver a respectful representation" of Japan". GamesRadar+. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
- ^ Webster, Andrew (July 10, 2025). "Ghost of Yōtei's gameplay deep dive shows the open world, combat, and chill beats". The Verge. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
- ^ Yin-Poole, Wesley (March 31, 2025). "PS5 Exclusive Ghost of Yōtei Gets New Story Info, Commits to 2025 Release Date". IGN. Retrieved April 5, 2025.
- ^ Malik, Daniyal (July 1, 2025). "Erika Ishii Gets Emotional Over Ghost of Yotei Collector's Edition". Esports Illustrated On SI. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
- ^ Maas, Jennifer (November 18, 2024). "Game Awards Nominations 2024: Astro Bot, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Lead With 7 Nods Each". Variety. Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on November 18, 2024. Retrieved November 19, 2024.