Powerfully portrayed in "Ghost of Yōtei" is a tale of revenge set in the wilds of the north—a period action film where simple, exhilarating swordplay coexists with quiet elegance.
Note: the original Japanese article can be found at:
https://www.4gamer.net/games/840/G084044/20250924002/
Writer: Takahashi Yusuke | 2025/09/25 13:00 (UTC)
Sony Interactive Entertainment will release “Ghost of Yōtei” on October 2, 2025.
This game is the second installment in the “Ghost of” series, developed by Sucker Punch Productions, creators of Ghost of Tsushima, and is a PS5-exclusive open-world samurai action-adventure. While its predecessor was set on Tsushima Island during late 13th-century Mongol invasions, this new story shifts both time and setting to three years after the Battle of Sekigahara—into Ezo (later Hokkaido). In this vast natural landscape, the journey of a wandering man named Tō unfolds as he seeks revenge against “Yōtei Six,” the group responsible for killing his family.
Thanks to an early access code provided by SIE, I had the opportunity to experience this title ahead of its official release. I was thoroughly captivated by its unique world—a fusion of Japanese samurai tales and Westerns—so in this article, I’ll share what makes it so compelling. Please note: while I’ve avoided major spoilers, certain story elements and system details are discussed, so readers should be aware that some aspects may contain minor reveals.
Official “Ghost of Yōtei” Website
A Dry World Set in Ezo—The Vision of Ezo Portrayed by Yōtei
Before diving into the game’s content, let’s first clarify its setting. In 1603, Ezo was still largely uncharted territory outside of the Matsumae Domain on southern Hokkaido’s Oshima Peninsula. Elsewhere, there were only scattered trading posts, and full-scale Japanese settlement had not yet begun.
Thus, the game’s Ezo is a bold creative interpretation of this little-documented era. The world draws influences from various sources: classic Japanese swordsmen-era period dramas (like those featuring Miyamoto Musashi or Sasaki Kojiro), Meiji-era frontier-themed works (such as Golden Kamuy), and 19th-century American Westerns. Anyone familiar with even a few of these genres will likely find the tone and narrative of Yōtei intuitive.
A small house on the grasslands, an unwelcome visitor—straight out of classic Western or spaghetti Western tropes Image Gallery No.005 thumbnail / “Ghost of Yōtei” powerfully portrays a revenge tale in the northern wilderness—samurai action with simple yet exhilarating swordplay and quiet elegance
According to Creative Director Jason Connell, the film Unforgiven (2013), a remake of Clint Eastwood’s original Western, heavily influenced the game’s vision. While watching the full movie is ideal, even reviewing its trailer helps visualize Yōtei’s “dry” atmosphere. The image of a destitute ronin heading into the wilderness after the Battle of Sekigahara evokes classic Westerns and spaghetti westerns often set in post-Civil War America.
Some might have initially thought, “This sounds complicated?” But in essence, the game presents a highly entertaining and accessible title set on a relatively open canvas where swordsmen and warriors take center stage. Personally, seeing Tō—drenched in mud and suffering from hardship right from the beginning—I immediately associated him with Franco Nero’s character “Django” from Sergio Leone’s spaghetti westerns. I found this fun to imagine, even if it wasn’t intentional.
(For reference: Django is an iconic figure in the spaghetti Western genre—a black-clad gunslinger.)
Although I’ve digressed a bit, let me highlight one standout scene. The screenshot below shows Tō after being stabbed—but shortly afterward, he rises from the ground in silence. This moment marks the symbolic beginning of his vengeful journey as a ghost (yūrei), much like how Ghost of Tsushima begins with protagonist Jin’s defeat on the beach and subsequent rebirth.
While the setting and era differ from Ghost of Tsushima, this moment powerfully conveys why both games carry the “Ghost of” title.
A Free Journey on the Path of Vengeance—The Charm of Exploring Ezo
After a brief prologue depicting Tō’s tragic childhood and his departure, we begin our journey in “Yōtei Plain” (Yōtei-daira), an area overlooking Mount Yōtei. The landscape blends real-life features from the base of Mount Yōtei and the wetlands of Hokkaido’s Dōtō region—evoking summer in northern Japan.
When pursuing main quests, you’ll follow the map’s ginkgo leaf icons. At first, this is mostly tutorial-like—gathering clues from travelers or interrogating defeated outlaws gradually reveals more about Yōtei Six and increases the number of markers on your map.
About two-thirds of the game can be experienced in any order. The world is divided into regions inspired by real places across Hokkaido—such as “Tokachi Mountain,” “Ishikari Plain,” “Nayoro Gorge,” and “Aishin Ridge”—connected by travel corridors, allowing exploration from southern Sakhalin to the Daisetsuzan mountain range in the east.
Image Gallery No.010 thumbnail / “Ghost of Yōtei” powerfully portrays a revenge tale in the northern wilderness—samurai action with simple yet exhilarating swordplay and quiet elegance Tokachi Mountain overlooks the Daisetsuzan range Image Gallery No.011 thumbnail / “Ghost of Yōtei” powerfully portrays a revenge tale in the northern wilderness—samurai action with simple yet exhilarating swordplay and quiet elegance Likely based on the area around present-day Sapporo, Ishikari Plain Image Gallery No.012 thumbnail / “Ghost of Yōtei” powerfully portrays a revenge tale in the northern wilderness—samurai action with simple yet exhilarating swordplay and quiet elegance Aishin Ridge covers northern areas including Ashibetsu, Sarufutsu, and Sōya
Seasonal changes are maintained from the previous game—autumn in “Tokachi Mountain,” winter in “Aishin Ridge”—so while there’s a general recommended travel order, players can progress through various events simultaneously. Feel free to explore based on your own interests.
As you wander freely, scenes occasionally appear showing what’s happening at the same time with Saitō’s faction—adding depth and period authenticity Image Gallery No.013 thumbnail / “Ghost of Yōtei” powerfully portrays a revenge tale in the northern wilderness—samurai action with simple yet exhilarating swordplay and quiet elegance
Additionally, Yōtei Plain—the area where Tō was born—features scattered locations that evoke childhood memories, giving a nostalgic and peaceful atmosphere. In contrast to other areas, which serve as hostile territories in search of vengeance, exploring Yōtei Plain feels calm and contemplative, creating strong contrasts.
Memories of his mother, Yone Image Gallery No.014 thumbnail / “Ghost of Yōtei” powerfully portrays a revenge tale in the northern wilderness—samurai action with simple yet exhilarating swordplay and quiet elegance
Although the landscapes are vast and evoke a sense of grandeur, the development team clearly prioritized player comfort during exploration. Despite their expansive appearance, actual terrain is compact—movement between locations takes neither too long nor too short. Along the way, numerous side paths lure you into detours, offering rich content density.
Some side quests even grant unique equipment. When upgraded, these items change not only in performance but also in visual design—adding joy to choosing and wearing your favorite look Image Gallery No.015 thumbnail / “Ghost of Yōtei” powerfully portrays a revenge tale in the northern wilderness—samurai action with simple yet exhilarating swordplay and quiet elegance
The outer edges of the field are often mountainous, dotted with shrines and enemy strongholds. After completing shrine visits or capturing a base, using your binoculars (telescope) to survey the area helps locate your next destination—while also delivering breathtaking views. The world offers both horizontal breadth and vertical depth.
Travel options are walking or riding a horse. White plant stripes across the grasslands act as high-speed travel routes and guides, ensuring you never completely lose your way. However, they don’t lead directly to destinations—so players must consult their map where these paths end, creating satisfying exploration.
Of course, like in its predecessor, navigation via wind direction is also available.
Fast travel loading times are short, allowing movement to most locations in just a few seconds. However, the duration varies depending on object and texture density at your destination—so it’s not consistent everywhere. In some cases, transitions can last nearly 10 seconds.
Various “inns” such as Fuji-miya, Furano-ya, and Akaguma-ya are scattered across regions, where you’ll find merchants who trade items, mapmakers who reveal activity locations, bounty hunters offering wanted information, and armorers to upgrade your gear.
Generally, you’ll acquire and upgrade gear at inns—but upgrading your main weapon must be done personally at Tō’s family home. This location is filled with memories from the past, making a nostalgic stroll through it an enriching experience.
Blacksmithing can be operated by the player—though this remains more of a flavor element; skipping it is entirely possible Image Gallery No.019 thumbnail / “Ghost of Yōtei” powerfully portrays a revenge tale in the northern wilderness—samurai action with simple yet exhilarating swordplay and quiet elegance
Image Gallery No.020 thumbnail / “Ghost of Yōtei” powerfully portrays a revenge tale in the northern wilderness—samurai action with simple yet exhilarating swordplay and quiet elegance Image Gallery No.021 thumbnail / “Ghost of Yōtei” powerfully portrays a revenge tale in the northern wilderness—samurai action with simple yet exhilarating swordplay and quiet elegance
As in the previous game, shrine-based athletic challenges remain. Reaching a shrine grants you talismans that enhance Tō with various special effects—now significantly more numerous than before.
Additionally, this game introduces a new feature: “Jizō.” These allow you to learn skills. Placed in enemy strongholds, each captured base grants one skill upon conquest—replacing the traditional experience and level system with a clearer, more direct progression.
Along your journey, hidden hot springs are scattered throughout. Bathing here restores health and permanently increases Tō’s maximum stamina—just as in the previous game. These moments offer not only a physical reset for Tō but also mental relaxation for players. Naturally, you can even choose reflective dialogue to reflect on your travels.
These enhancement systems don’t need constant attention. Simply seek them out when enemies feel stronger. You may try them during encounters or save them for more challenging fights—either way is valid depending on your preference.
New Tactics in Swordplay—Evolution of the Combat System
On your journey, sword duels are frequent: hunting bounties to earn money or confronting bounty hunters who seek Tō himself. Furthermore, Saitō, leader of Yōtei Six and Tō’s family’s killer, is expanding his power across Ezo. In such a harsh land, one can only rely on their own sword—so let’s now explore the game’s combat system.
Image Gallery No.025 thumbnail / “Ghost of Yōtei” powerfully portrays a revenge tale in the northern wilderness—samurai action with simple yet exhilarating swordplay and quiet elegance Image Gallery No.026 thumbnail / “Ghost of Yōtei” powerfully portrays a revenge tale in the northern wilderness—samurai action with simple yet exhilarating swordplay and quiet elegance
Enemies display a “wobble” gauge above their heads—maximizing it breaks their stance and opens up massive damage opportunities. The priority is to avoid attacks, then strike hard to destabilize them.
Note: the photos used here have blood effects disabled. Enabling them restores the same intense swordplay and thrilling combat as in Ghost of Tsushima Image Gallery No.027 thumbnail / “Ghost of Yōtei” powerfully portrays a revenge tale in the northern wilderness—samurai action with simple yet exhilarating swordplay and quiet elegance
Enemy attacks fall into three basic patterns. First, standard attacks—these can be blocked by holding the defense button. Next are blue-lit attacks: they break through defenses and must be countered with a well-timed “parry” or an evasive roll. Red-lit attacks cannot be parried at all—they require evasion.
This is similar to the previous game—but now, a new yellow attack has been added. Like in one-on-one duels from the prior title, you can perform a counter by holding down a heavy strike and releasing it at the right moment.
However, if the counter fails, Tō drops his weapon and is left vulnerable until he picks it up again. Since evasion provides more consistent results, players must assess risks versus rewards based on the situation.
Of course, you can still use one-on-one duels in the same style as before. If you’re ready to fight, start by eliminating a few enemies with this method before engaging the main confrontation.
Additionally, new combat tactics have been introduced. As you progress through the game, you unlock powerful “secret moves” based on how many enemies you’ve defeated without taking damage.
Defeat five enemies silently to unleash “Ghost’s Roar,” which shatters enemy morale around you; defeat eight to use “Ghost’s Form,” slicing down several foes. Combining these abilities allows you to dominate fights decisively.
The number of enemies defeated is counted regardless of whether they notice you or not—so if you’re skilled, you can perform elegant kills. Even without stealth, you can eliminate foes quietly and then turn the tide when surrounded by using “Ghost’s Form.” Use these abilities wisely to clear waves efficiently.
When outnumbered, run to separate from enemies or use distractions to break their formation—no need for rigid, honorable tactics Image Gallery No.032 thumbnail / “Ghost of Yōtei” powerfully portrays a revenge tale in the northern wilderness—samurai action with simple yet exhilarating swordplay and quiet elegance
The weapons from the previous game—such as “Katana,” “Dual Swords,” “Great Sword,” “Spear,” and “Chain Scythe”—remain central. The familiar concept of weapon advantages continues: use dual swords against spear-wielding foes, chain scythes to break shields—but now there’s also a new layer based on reach and movement patterns, making combat feel fresh.
This distance gives the chain scythe an advantage—and allows you to control multiple enemies Image Gallery No.033 thumbnail / “Ghost of Yōtei” powerfully portrays a revenge tale in the northern wilderness—samurai action with simple yet exhilarating swordplay and quiet elegance
Enemies like Yōtei Six or skilled warriors use multiple weapons during fights. If you’re struggling, it’s wise to train in different areas first—acquiring new weapons and their associated skills before confronting them.
Various masters across the land teach weapon techniques and fighting styles—giving a slightly kung fu movie vibe Image Gallery No.034 thumbnail / “Ghost of Yōtei” powerfully portrays a revenge tale in the northern wilderness—samurai action with simple yet exhilarating swordplay and quiet elegance Image Gallery No.035 thumbnail / “Ghost of Yōtei” powerfully portrays a revenge tale in the northern wilderness—samurai action with simple yet exhilarating swordplay and quiet elegance
The “spirit” mechanic—gained by parrying or defeating enemies—is also carried over. Deciding whether to use it for health recovery or special moves is a key strategic choice. Spirit-consuming techniques let you block continuous attacks while counterattacking, making them ideal against tough opponents.
However, successfully handling continuous assaults on your own remains one of the game’s joys. Swiftly parrying twice, dodging, then parrying again with a slight delay—this rhythm-based approach creates an incredibly satisfying “winning by anticipation” feeling (though not for everyone).
The Fate of a Ghost—Yōtei’s Story of Revenge and Life
Thus, Yōtei builds on the foundation of its predecessor while offering fresh “back-and-forth” combat dynamics. Opponents shift from Mongol forces to ronin, swordsmen, armored warriors—and even the soundtrack has evolved into a “samurai action style” influenced by Ennio Morricone’s iconic works—giving it a distinctly Japanese feel.
The music is composed by Toma Otowa (Wataru Hōzawa), known for his work on AFRIKA, KNACK, and Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart.
Striking the shamisen causes wind to blow toward shrines or training grounds—just playing music while enjoying scenery is enjoyable in itself Image Gallery No.037 thumbnail / “Ghost of Yōtei” powerfully portrays a revenge tale in the northern wilderness—samurai action with simple yet exhilarating swordplay and quiet elegance
While Ghost of Tsushima’s blend of Mongol forces and Japanese-motif music was fresh and powerful, it still carried an exotic aura (e.g., archers shouting “Doshō!” as they fire). This time around, the Western flavor adds a new dimension—but despite this shift, the tone feels closer to 1970s-era Japanese period dramas like Kaze no Mokube or Hissatsu Shigotonin, rather than pure historical samurai tales.
Surreal touches remain—so fans of quirky humor can enjoy them too (maybe?) Image Gallery No.038 thumbnail / “Ghost of Yōtei” powerfully portrays a revenge tale in the northern wilderness—samurai action with simple yet exhilarating swordplay and quiet elegance
Tō’s rough, wandering demeanor fits perfectly into this world—making the story immersive. Particularly memorable are his sarcastic remarks after defeating strong enemies.
Graphics are as impressive as the screenshots suggest—HDR-enabled displays reveal beautifully accurate lighting. This feature continues from Ghost of Tsushima, and personally, I find overcast skies and foggy landscapes especially striking.
Image Gallery No.040 thumbnail / “Ghost of Yōtei” powerfully portrays a revenge tale in the northern wilderness—samurai action with simple yet exhilarating swordplay and quiet elegance Image Gallery No.041 thumbnail / “Ghost of Yōtei” powerfully portrays a revenge tale in the northern wilderness—samurai action with simple yet exhilarating swordplay and quiet elegance
At night, scenes take on a vintage film look with blue filters—masterfully using lighting and visual tricks to create atmosphere.
Thus, Ghost of Yōtei reimagines Japanese and samurai storytelling in a fresh way—changing both protagonist and setting from its predecessor. Though some spoilers are unavoidable, Tō’s family history and his enemy Saitō’s dialogue (including regional dialects) subtly reveal their shared origins—offering rich material for fans of history, especially those fascinated by the Sengoku period.
Saitō wears red armor with a tiger-patterned cloak—evoking certain historical figures Image Gallery No.043 thumbnail / “Ghost of Yōtei” powerfully portrays a revenge tale in the northern wilderness—samurai action with simple yet exhilarating swordplay and quiet elegance
The straightforward, satisfying revenge tale carries deeper layers of complexity. The game delivers high entertainment value while also leaving a lasting emotional impression—making it essential to experience firsthand.
Though set in different eras and places than Ghost of Tsushima, the stories of those called “Ghosts” still share something profound—a deep love for what fades with time or changes through history.