SonyandSucker Punchhosted a specialState of Playtoday, offering an in-depth look at the highly anticipatedGhost of Yotei, the new PlayStation 5 exclusive set to launch on October 2.
Ghost of Yotei — A Tale of Vengeance Inspired by Japanese Folklore
The game, which inherits stylistic and gameplay elements fromGhost of Tsushima, presents an adventure set in feudal Japan with a strong narrative focus, open-world exploration, and stunning visuals. Its protagonist is Atsu, a lone mercenary with a tragic and mysterious past.
Ghost of Yoteidraws heavily from Japanese folklore, particularly the onryō—vengeful spirits. The game takes place in Ezo, a fictional region where many believe Atsu to be one of these entities. After 16 years away in the south, she returns to exact revenge on the Six of Yotei, the group responsible for her family’s massacre.
The narrative uses an interactive memory system—similar toGhost of Tsushima, but with a twist. At any moment, players can trigger narrative flashbacks with a single button, reliving key moments from Atsu’s life. This structure provides a direct emotional connection to her past while progressing through a path marked by vengeance, conflict, and personal growth, according to Sucker Punch.
A Freer Open World Than Ever Before
Ghost of Yoteidelivers an open-world experience with unprecedented freedom in both exploration and narrative progression. Inspired by wandering samurai films, the development team claims thatGhost of Yoteioffers “more freedom than any other game” they’ve created.
The world encourages players to explore at their own pace.
“Yotei won’t rush you,” they emphasized during the presentation. The game’s philosophy centers on personal enjoyment: “It’s not about completing everything, but enjoying what excites you. Embrace your curiosity,” Sucker Punch stated.
Exploration includes hidden shrines that grant new abilities, purchasable maps, and an advanced movement system with a grappling hook and sliding to descend quickly. Additionally, there’s a new clue system: interrogating enemies unlocks “game cards” that personalize each player’s journey. This feature represents a major evolution in how the sequel handles nonlinear storytelling.
Combat: Precision, Brutality, and Variety
Atsuis neither samurai nor ninja,Sucker Punchclarified, but a mercenary. This allows her to wield a wide range of weapons and tactics, including unconventional and “dirty” moves. Melee weapons include the katana, spear, kusarigama, odachi (a heavy sword), and dual blades—each with unique strengths and move sets.
There are also many ranged weapons: the taneshigama (a kind of blunderbuss), bow, and throwable weapons like kunai and bombs. Enemies can switch weapons, disarm you, or be disarmed themselves, demanding constant adaptation. Combat is inspired by classic samurai cinema—slow, deliberate, and deadly, where every move counts.
Sucker Punch is staying true to what madeGhost of Tsushima’scombat so impactful.
Atsu won’t be entirely alone: she’ll have allies, including a mysterious wolf companion that assists in combat. She can also set up camp anywhere on the map. Camps serve as rest points, merchant hubs, and locations where secondary characters offer side quests.
A “pack” system was shown, tracking Atsu’s growing group of companions, who provide missions, information, and skill points. Sucker Punch says they want “the game to come to you,” rather than forcing you to seek it out.
Customization, Gear, and Visual Style
Gear and armor support different playstyles: stealth, melee, or hybrid. Customization has been expanded from the previous game, letting players modify masks, headgear, armor, and more in depth. Music plays a key role, too.
The soundtrack was composed byToma Otowausing traditional Japanese instruments. Two official tracks have already been released on streaming platforms.
As inGhost of Tsushima, Ghost of Yoteiincludes several special modes—mini-games like board games, the return of the beloved photo mode with more creative options, and visual/audio customization settings.
Limited Edition PS5 Consoles Inspired by Ghost of Yotei
Finally, to accompany the launch ofGhost of Yotei, two limited edition PlayStation 5 models were announced, both available on October 2.
They feature custom console plates with game-inspired designs and matchingDualSense controllers. One version is white with gold motifs, and the other is white with black accents—both reflecting the game’s unique aesthetic.
