The highly acclaimed action-adventure title Ghost of Tsushima, developed by Sucker Punch Productions, is set to receive a sequel. During Sony’s State of Play presentation on Tuesday, the studio unveiled Ghost of Yotei, which introduces a new lead character and a distinctive setting. This sequel will feature a female protagonist, Atsu, who will embark on an adventure in the areas surrounding Mount Yōtei in Northern Japan during the 1600s. Ghost of Yotei is scheduled for release exclusively on PS5 in 2025.
Exploring a New Setting
In the concluding segment of the State of Play broadcast, Sucker Punch showcased the sequel with a trailer featuring an engaging mix of gameplay and cinematics. Set in 1603, more than three centuries after the original game’s events, Ghost of Yotei transports players to a new region of Japan centered around Mount Yōtei, a volcanic mountain located in Ezo, the area modernly known as Hokkaido.
While specific details regarding the new environment were not elaborated, Sucker Punch hinted at a vast open world to explore, with the mountain serving as the focal point of the map. According to the studio, “In 1603, this region was outside the influence of Japan, characterized by expansive grasslands, frigid tundras, and unforeseen dangers. It offers a stark contrast to the organized samurai clans found in Tsushima, enabling us to tell an original narrative that we are eager to share,” as mentioned in their PlayStation Blog post detailing the sequel.
Ghost of Yotei will explore the lands surrounding Mount Yotei in Ezo.
Photo Credit: Sucker Punch/ Sony
A New Heroic Journey
Marking a departure from the previous game’s lead character, samurai Jin Sakai, Ghost of Yotei introduces the new protagonist, Atsu. The trailer provides glimpses of her wielding an uchigatana and a shamisen, as well as experimenting with a chained weapon and a rifle. Sucker Punch emphasized that the sequel will feature an array of new weapons, mechanics, and gameplay enhancements compared to its predecessor.
Atsu is accompanied by a wolf, which plays a significant role in the trailer. The game promises to explore deeper interactions with wildlife. Dressed in the Ghost mask and a straw hat, Atsu embodies a new narrative for the franchise. Sucker Punch explained their creative choice to shift focus from Jin Sakai’s storyline to the broader concept of the Ghost: “To create something fresh yet familiar, we looked beyond the former hero’s tale and the island of Tsushima. Our aim was to delve into the essence of the Ghost concept and explore the legend of a new hero donning the Ghost mask.”
Ghost of Yotei introduces a new protagonist, Atsu.
Photo Credit: Sucker Punch/ Sony
Visual Enhancements in Gameplay
The trailer showcased substantial graphical improvements, with Ghost of Yotei being the first Sucker Punch title developed entirely for the PS5. The developer assures that the world within the sequel will exhibit an unprecedented level of realism.
“We have expansive sightlines that allow you to see far across the environment, innovative sky designs with shimmering stars and auroras, and notably more realistic movements of grass and vegetation in response to the wind, along with additional advancements that we will reveal in the future,” the studio stated.
Further details regarding gameplay and the storyline of Ghost of Yotei are anticipated in the upcoming months. The sequel is set to launch on the PS5 in 2025.
