Since its unveiling this fall, Ghost of Yotei has skyrocketed to the top of many gamers' lists of the most anticipated releases of 2025, bested only by such GTA 6. he said that Ghost of Yotei introduces several significant changes from its predecessor, introducing a new setting and protagonist, and therefore a completely different set of narrative circumstances, which are strangely reminiscent of other AAA hits such as Red Dead Redemptionwho pulled similarly risky moves.
Ghost of Yotei surprised audiences upon its reveal, as Sucker Punch revealed that Jin Sakai will not be the protagonist of this long-awaited sequel. Jin won't actually be in the game at all, as it takes place hundreds of years after the events of the first game and in a completely different region of Japan. While some see this radical change as a welcome bit of experimentation and subversion, others are less convinced and disappointed that Jin will not be returning. This sentiment is reflected in public acceptance Red Dead Redemption 2 which was revealed prior to its release to feature a different playable character than the iconic John Marston from the first game. As most would now agree, this was a brilliant decision on Rockstar's part; perhaps Sucker Punch made a similarly good call here.
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Ghost of Yotei shouldn't trade repetition for linearity
As Sucker Punch iterates the Ghost of Tsushima formula with Ghost of Yotei, it should take care to strike a good balance with its open world.
Atsu Ghost of Yotei could be the “Arthur Morgan” of the franchise
Arthur Morgan exceeded expectations, as did Atsu
Game audiences were more than skeptical about John being replaced by Arthur, but now Red Dead Redemption Arthur is widely regarded by the fanbase as an outstanding character, with many going so far as to crown him the best video game protagonist of all time. This is obviously a pretty lofty title to aspire to, and while Atsu may not be able to reach the same heights, she could replace Jin in the fans' hearts Yotei cemented her as the series' definitive hero.
To be honest, it wouldn't be particularly difficult. Jin Sakai isn't a bad character by any means, and his struggle between upholding his samurai code and driving out the Mongols by any means necessary is compelling enough, but he's also a little lackluster. His journey of tradition clashing with reality was good for the last game and maybe his legacy will somehow live on Ghost of Yoteibut his character doesn't have enough substance to justify his appearance in a full sequel. Atsu, on the other hand, can make up for Jin's shortcomings.
How could Atsu become better than Jin, Red Dead Way
There are a number of reasons why Arthur Morgan is generally considered a more interesting character than John Marston, but in short: he's more complex. John spends first Red Dead Redemption running away from his complicated past and trying to build a new life for himself, while Arthur is knee-deep in a life that doesn't serve him but doesn't know anything else. RDR2 takes the same broad themes of the first play and expands on them through Arthur's story and Ghost of Yotei could have done the same.
The battle between honor and survival has narrative potential, but is never presented in a multifaceted or nuanced way. Ghost of Tsushima. If players are destined to witness Jin's actions, the game doesn't do a great job of eliciting such a reaction, as he can either go stealth or watch his country get slaughtered; the choice seems easy. But Ghost of Yotei she could have muddied the waters even more and put Atsu at the heart of a much messier internal conflict, allowing her to reveal her character in more important and interesting ways than Jin ever had to.
The sequel to Ghost of Tsushima, Sucker Punch's Ghost of Yōtei, is a PS5 exclusive due out sometime in 2025. Set in 1603, the story will introduce a new hero and a new Japanese region far removed from the setting of Tsushima.
Action
Adventure
Open world
- Released
- 2025
- Publishers
- Sony Interactive Entertainment
