Samurai Fury Unleashed: Ghost of Yotei Review & Gameplay Breakdown!
Is the Ghost of Yotei Review your ticket to mastering Atsu’s epic revenge in Ghost of Yotei?
Hey gamers! Let's dive into this Ghost of Yotei Review for the highly anticipated sequel from Sucker Punch. Ever since we finished Jin Sakai's journey in 2020's Ghost of Tsushima, fans have been waiting for what's next - and Ghost of Yotei looks like an absolutely ambitious take on the open-world samurai formula the studio perfected in the first game!
From what we've seen in gameplay showcases and interviews with Creative Director Nate Fox, there's enough awesome content here to get any samurai game fan excited. If you're still on the fence about whether to pick this up, here's everything you need to know in this Ghost of Yotei Review!
- Atsu’s Vengeance: The Onryo’s Deadly Mission
- Hokkaido’s Open World: Forge Your Own Path
- Combat Evolved: Blades, Tricks, and Precision
- Wolfpack Camps: Your Roaming Upgrade Hub
- Cinematic Modes: Live a Samurai Film
- Story and Characters
- Cinematic Modes: Live a Samurai Film
- Why Ghost of Yotei Is a Masterpiece
- Ghost of Yotei Review FAQs
Note: This review is based on preview footage, developer showcases, and limited hands-on impressions available before launch.
Atsu’s Vengeance: The Onryo’s Deadly Mission
This Ghost of Yotei Review kicks off with Atsu’s heart-wrenching story:
Core Plot: After the Yotei Six slaughter her family, Atsu returns to Hokkaido 16 years later as the Onryo, a wrathful spirit driven by revenge. Flashback memories (triggered with a button press) fuel her quest.
Why It Hits: The mix of personal pain and classic samurai movie vibes makes every moment cinematic.
Pro Tip: Use memory flashbacks early to uncover clues about the Yotei Six’s hideouts for faster story progression.
Hokkaido’s Open World: Forge Your Own Path
This Ghost of Yotei Review has to start with the incredible open world improvements. Sucker Punch has completely revamped their approach to exploration - while the map size is similar to Tsushima, you can explore almost everything right after the prologue! Nate Fox mentioned there's "a little bit of gating" but nothing like the first game's restricted areas.
The organic exploration system lets you travel anywhere without story progression, making the experience way more engaging. Plus, your horse can now jump (with speed boosts!), making traversal smoother and those distant points of interest much more accessible.
Combat Evolved: Blades, Tricks, and Precision
In this Ghost of Yotei Review, the combat changes are probably what most fans are curious about. The stance system from the first game has been replaced with actual different weapons, each effective against specific enemy types. You'll need to track down weapon masters across the map to learn how to properly wield each new weapon type.
Some key combat improvements:
Disarming mechanics (you can pick dropped weapons back up)
Firearms added logically given the 300-year time jump
New weapon types including massive odachi swords
More dynamic swordplay with improved mechanics
The weapon system reminds me of observing Mongol leaders to learn stances in the first game, but now you're seeking out actual masters for training. It makes finding these teachers early a smart priority!
Wolfpack Camps: Your Roaming Upgrade Hub
The Ghost of Yotei Review loves the innovative campsite system:
Mobile Base: Set up camps under Hokkaido’s starry skies to rest, craft, and upgrade with your Wolfpack—senseis, peddlers, and key allies.
Upgrade Edge: Replacing Ghost of Tsushima’s journal, camps bring vendors to you, offering cursed masks, weapon skills, or armor charms.
Pro Tip: Craft stealth charms for ninja missions or melee-focused gear for samurai duels to match your playstyle.
Cinematic Modes: Live a Samurai Film
This Ghost of Yotei Review geeks out over its movie-inspired modes:
Kurosawa Mode: Black-and-white visuals with film grain, channeling Akira Kurosawa’s iconic samurai classics.
Miike Mode: Close-up camera with extra blood and mud splatter, inspired by Takashi Miike’s 13 Assassins.
Watanabe Mode: Lo-fi tracks by Shinichiro Watanabe (Samurai Champloo) for a chill, stylish vibe.
Pro Tip: Turn on Japanese voice acting with lip-sync from the start for a fully immersive samurai experience.
Story and Characters
In this Ghost of Yotei Review, I should note the story takes place 300 years after the first game with a completely new protagonist - Aoito. She's a mercenary hunting the Yotei Six (the main antagonists), and there's no connection to Jin Sakai's story despite some fan hopes.
The Yotei Six are major story figures that can't be randomly encountered - you'll need to progress through main missions and side content to uncover information about them. Legends mode is also returning in 2026 with co-op multiplayer that will apparently feature giant demonic versions of the main villains!
Cinematic Modes: Live a Samurai Film
Why Ghost of Yotei Is a Masterpiece
This Ghost of Yotei Review declares it a must-play for samurai fans. With Hokkaido’s sprawling world, Atsu’s gripping tale, and combat that feels straight out of a Kurosawa flick, it’s Sucker Punch’s boldest adventure yet. Out October 2, 2025, on PS5 with a stunning score by Toma October. Visit GGGAMER.net for more guides and giveaways! Got a killer photo mode snap or combat tip? Share below and let’s haunt Hokkaido!
