Ghost of Yotei: Release Date & All You Need to Know
Ghost of Yotei is a standalone sequel of a game very dear to me — Ghost of Tsushima (see my full review here). The key part in the previous sentence is “standalone”, which means that while the game’s story is in the same universe, it can be played without playing or having any knowledge about the previous part.
I’m highly against that, I can not implore you enough to play the first part. In fact I’ll put you on a naughty list if you don’t. Now that we cleared that up, let us continue with what you came for. Here’s everything you need to know about Ghost of Yotei.
The Technical Part
- Developer: Sucker Punch Productions
- Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
- Directors: Nate Fox and Jason Connell
- Producer: Brian Fleming
- Composer: Wataru Hokoyama
- Platform: PlayStation 5
- Release date: October 2, 2025
- Genre: Action-adventure
- Mode: Single-player
Watch the latest trailer here.
The Story
Ghost of Yōtei picks up centuries after Ghost of Tsushima, but don’t expect more samurai honor speeches. This one leans hard into the “underdog vengeance” angle. You play as Atsu, a rōnin who’s been through hell, her family murdered, home burned down, and she was literally left for dead, pinned to a tree with her own father’s sword. Sixteen years later, she’s back and not exactly here for peace talks. Now taking on the persona of the Onryō, she’s hunting down the Yōtei Six, a group of masked outlaws.
The setting is Mount Yōtei in 1603. It’s remote, unforgiving, and just the right place for a revenge story to unfold. I can already feel it in my bones that we’re up for the emotional rollercoaster.
Gameplay
When it comes to the gameplay, I believe it builds on the foundation laid by Ghost of Tsushima, but with a few key changes to fit Atsu’s style. Swordplay will be at the core, but stealth will play a bigger role this time around. You’re not a samurai with a code anymore but a rōnin with unfinished business aka vendetta, so a lot of the combat leans into quick kills, distractions, and ambushes. Exploration looks more focused, more tight and purposeful areas that tie into the story. It’s familiar if you’ve played Tsushima, but there’s enough here to make it feel like its own thing.
Combat in Ghost of Yōtei feels tighter and more aggressive than in Tsushima. Parrying and dodging are still key, but timing feels more demanding, especially against some of the Yōtei Six who have unique attack patterns. You’re not walking into fights honorably but you’re hitting fast, getting out, and picking your moments. The Onryō abilities let you confuse or terrify enemies, giving you room to break up groups or avoid a fight entirely if things get messy.
As for side content. From what we’ve seen, there are smaller stories tied to the region’s people, with some linked to Atsu’s past, others more about survival in the shadow of the Yōtei Six. One thing you can expect is to get a lot of content even if you aren’t doing main missions. There will be some collectibles, targeted encounters, quick challenges, and some more fun stuff that will be revealed once the game is out.
Graphics and Audio
Visually, Ghost of Yōtei sticks to what worked in Ghost of Tsushima, but it’s clear the devs have pushed things further. The environments around Mount Yōtei are sharp and detailed, with snow, fog, and forest areas all getting a noticeable visual upgrade. Lighting is more dynamic, and character models especially during close-up scenes look cleaner and more expressive. The masked designs of the Yōtei Six also stand out without going over the top. It’s not a complete visual overhaul, but it’s polished, consistent, and does exactly what it needs to.
Conclusion
Just imagine the rainy start of October, leaves turned yellow and I’m all cozied up on a sofa, playing the Ghost of Yotei. There are no words that can describe my excitement and level of expectations I have for it. I don’t know about you but I’m planning to enjoy it so much. All I hope is that it doesn’t get delayed, that would be awesome.
