The biggest surprise of the PlayStation State of Play showcase yesterday was the reveal of Ghost of Tsushima 2. The second biggest surprise is that it is not Ghost of Tsushima 2, it is Ghost of Yotei, a new adventure starring a new lead in a new region in a new time period. But still a lot of swords.

Given how much the original game is beloved and how many people grew attached to Jin Sakai and his story, it was a little unexpected to see the mantle handed over to a new character, Atsu, a female Ronin. As for why Jin was left behind for Ghost of Yotei, Sucker Punch discussed the reasoning in a PlayStation blog post:

A New Story, A New Time, A New Hero

The article also confirms that this is actually 300 years past when Ghost of Tsushima took place, in 1603 Japan, though obviously we are still slicing people up with similar weaponry. There were fewer organized samurai clans then and more roaming Ronin like Atsu, it seems.

The new game, set in the lands surrounding Mount Yotei, a towering peak in the heart of Ezo, an area of Japan known as Hokkaido in present day, takes place outside the rule of Japan and is filled with sprawling grasslands, snowy tundras, and unexpected dangers. It’s a far cry from the organized samurai clans who lived in Tsushima, and it’s the setting for an original story we can’t wait to tell.

Atsu will be voice by the prolific Erika Ishii, in their most significant part yet, and they are also starring as the English voice of Rook in the upcoming Dragon Age: The Veilguard next month. I know them best from Destiny 2 where they played Ana Bray. Ishii has quickly become one of the most widely cast voice actors in the industry, a new Nolan North or Troy Baker, almost. The coming year will be their biggest yet.

Ghost of Tsushima was my GOTY for 2020, so I will be seated day one for Ghost of Yotei (or earlier, hopefully, with a review copy). I cannot wait to see what Sucker Punch has done here with a game built for PS5 specifically and retaining the combat and sweeping art direction of the first game, with hopefully some new innovations. All we know is that Yotei is coming out in 2025, and hopefully we get a more specific date soon. I’d guess fall.

A Deeper Dive into Yotei's World

This is also Sucker Punch’s first game built from the ground up for PlayStation 5, and we’re excited to build on the visual foundation we established in Ghost of Tsushima by making the world feel even more real. We have massive sightlines that let you look far across the environment, whole new skies featuring twinkling stars and auroras, even more believable movement from wind on grass and vegetation, and more improvements we’ll share in the future. Our new setting also gives us the opportunity to introduce new mechanics, gameplay improvements, and even new weapons.

Sucker Punch is pushing the boundaries of what is possible with the PS5, adding new features like more believable movement from wind on grass and vegetation. The team has also teased new mechanics, gameplay improvements, and even new weapons, which are sure to excite fans of the first game. The new setting also gives them the opportunity to introduce some exciting new mechanics and gameplay improvements.

Ghost of Yotei: A New Chapter in the Ghost Franchise

Sony has big ambitions for Ghost of Yotei and indeed Sucker Punch’s Ghost franchise — it wants to expand the video game into movies, TV shows, and other spinoffs. Ghost of Yotei, the sequel to PS4 game Ghost of Tsushima due out on PS5 in 2025, is described as the beginning of an official franchise that will include at least one movie and other spinoffs. The movie based on Ghost of Tsushima has been in the works for some time, with John Wick director Chad Stahelski at the helm.

Creative directors Nate Fox and Jason Connell said that for Ghost of Yotei, Sucker Punch wants to “find balance” against repetitive open-world gameplay and may offer story choices. The pair confirmed plans to let players master firearms in addition to melee weapons like the katana.

Ghost of Yotei: A New Beginning

With the tale of Jin Sakai all wrapped up in the first game, Sucker Punch is taking us a few centuries into the future with this next installment. Ghost of Yotei takes place northern Japan, around the Hokkaido region, set in the year 1603, the same time period that one of Japan's most fearsome sword wielders was believed to have lived.

The game will put players in the shoes of Atsu, a new warrior on the run from a group of Ronin. As the game will see players venturing towards the northern reaches of Japan, including the Yotei mountain, there will be plenty of grassy fields, forests, and snow-filled areas to explore.

While the first game was set in a time and place where Samurai clans were more organized, that is not the case in 1603, so we can expect a very different tale. The studio has also teased new mechanics and weapon types, but we have yet to see much beyond the cinematic teaser, so we will have to wait until next year for a deeper dive into the improvements this sequel will bring.

Looking Forward to Yotei

Ghost of Yotei is a bold new direction for the Ghost franchise, and it’s clear that Sucker Punch is aiming high with this game. The team is clearly passionate about the project, and they’re confident that it will be a worthy successor to the original Ghost of Tsushima. Fans are eagerly awaiting more information about the game, including release details and more gameplay information. With the promise of a new story, a new hero, and a new region of Japan to explore, Ghost of Yotei is shaping up to be an exciting new chapter in the Ghost franchise. This could be a very compelling addition to the PS5's already impressive library of games. Are you looking forward to Ghost of Yotei?