Coming this October (with a release date set for October 2, 2025), Ghost of Yōtei is gearing up to be a spiritual Ghost of Tsushima sequel — once again from Sucker Punch, but this time exclusive to the PS5.
During the latest PS5 showcase, the studio finally showed us what we’ve been waiting for: a full look at the Ghost of Yōtei gameplay, with five distinct Atsu weapons, cinematic exploration, and… one very unusual new mode. Let’s break it down — this might just be a revolution in samurai RPGs!
New Toys: Atsu’s Weapons
The main character, Atsu, takes a very different path from Jin Sakai in Ghost of Tsushima. There’s no strict samurai code here — she lives by her own rules as a mercenary.
In combat, she uses five weapon types: the classic katana, a massive odachi, a spear, a kusarigama, and twin blades. Each weapon has its own vibe: the katana balances speed and precision, the odachi crushes armoured enemies, the kusarigama lets you pull opponents closer, and the twin blades are perfect for aggressive, stylish slicing. You can weapon swap on the fly — mid-action, with no clunky menus. There’s also a bow and a rifle, though those seem to be used more sparingly.
Quest Interrogation: Conversations With Consequences
Instead of the usual checklist of missions, Ghost of Yōtei introduces a dialogue-driven system of quest interrogation. When you question an NPC, you receive “cards” with potential quests and rewards — and it’s up to you which leads to follow.
This system shifts the game more into samurai RPG territory, where narrative and our choice take the lead over traditional open-world filler.
Cinematic Exploration & Enhanced Kurosawa Mode
Exploration in Ghost of Yōtei feels lifted from a movie. The camera pulls back during horseback rides, ambient camp scenes draw you in, and resting by a campfire replaces the standard pause menu.
Kurosawa Mode returns too, but now it’s better than ever — black-and-white visuals with film grain, full Japanese dub, and even synced lip movements. It’s a loving tribute to classic samurai cinema.
Lo-fi Samurai Mode
The most talked-about new feature? Lo-fi samurai mode — a creative brainchild of Shinichirō Watanabe, director of Samurai Champloo and Cowboy Bebop. This mode layers the game with mellow lo-fi beats, creating a chilled-out vibe during both exploration and combat. It’s a unique twist that fits perfectly with the game’s Japanese influences, giving us a whole new way to experience the world.
Samurai RPGs: Comparison and Context
Compared to Ghost of Tsushima, Ghost of Yōtei doesn’t try to rewrite the genre — instead, it refines it. The new systems smooth out old patterns. Atsu has nothing to do with samurai honour. She’s a lone mercenary on a personal path of vengeance against the Yōtei Six, the assassins who wiped out her family.
Structurally, the game shares DNA with Assassin’s Creed Shadows — you’ve got open-world revenge, semi-randomized missions, and stealth elements. But at its heart, this is still Sucker Punch gameplay: fluid weapon swapping, layered quest interrogation, card-based progression, and immersive NPC camps.
Console Bundle and PC Hopes
One last treat — a limited-edition PS5 and controller themed around Mount Yōtei (set to launch with the game). It looks stunning and fits the mood perfectly.
What about PC players? So far, radio silence. But considering the expanded edition of Ghost of Tsushima eventually made it to PC, there’s good reason to hope.