When Ghost of Tsushima dropped back in 2020, it didn’t just give us a samurai action game — it gave us art. Sweeping fields of golden grass, cinematic duels straight out of a Kurosawa film, and a world that felt alive every time the wind shifted. Fast-forward, and now we’ve got Ghost of Yōtei stepping up. The question on everyone’s mind: Is this just “more of the same” or does it actually level up the formula?
Let’s break it down.
First Impressions of Ghost of Yōtei 🌸🗡️
Players and critics are already buzzing about a few key things:
- The Vibes Are Top-Tier: Environments are jaw-dropping — smoke curling through trees, wind carrying blossoms, and that “pause and just look around” factor dialed up to 11.
- Combat Switch-Up: Instead of the stance system from Tsushima, Yōtei leans into weapon variety (dual katanas, ōdachi, yari, kusarigama). More tools = more freedom.
- Revenge-Fueled Story: You play as Atsu, a wandering mercenary haunted by vengeance. It’s darker, more personal, less about “save the island” and more about “you wronged me, now pay.”
- Cinematic Flex Mode: Kurosawa mode is back, but now we’ve got Miike and Watanabe modes too. Basically, you can tailor the game to look like your favorite samurai movie.
- Freedom of Choice: Targets (called the “Yōtei Six”) can be taken down in any order, letting you shape how the journey unfolds.
How It Stacks Against Ghost of Tsushima ⚔️
| Aspect | Tsushima | Yōtei | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Setting | 1274, Mongol invasion | 1603, Hokkaido region | Fresh backdrop with folklore vibes |
| Combat | Stance-based counters | Weapon variety | More flexible, less rigid |
| Story Tone | Epic, duty vs honor | Revenge, intimate, darker | Hits harder emotionally |
| Exploration | Wind guidance, open world | Less UI clutter, more organic world | Cleaner, more immersive |
| Side Content | Sometimes felt like filler | Improved but still repetitive at times | Better, but not perfect |
| Cinematics | Kurosawa mode | Kurosawa + Miike + Watanabe | More flavor for movie buffs |
Bottom line? Yōtei feels like Tsushima refined, not reinvented.
What About Iki Island? 🌊
It’s worth remembering that Ghost of Tsushima already expanded once with the Iki Island DLC, bundled into the Director’s Cut. That add-on gave us a whole new region to explore, deeper insight into Jin’s past, and some fresh mechanics — but at the end of the day, it still felt like more Tsushima. That’s why some players are looking at Ghost of Yōtei and asking, “Is this just another Iki Island, only bigger?” The difference is that while Iki felt like a powerful side story, Yōtei reshapes the formula itself — swapping stances for weapon variety, letting you hunt the Yōtei Six in any order, and pushing a darker revenge narrative. In other words, where Iki Island refined Tsushima, Yōtei tries to evolve it.
What People Love ❤️
- The world feels alive and stunningly beautiful.
- Combat is satisfying and bloody in the best way.
- Atsu, the new lead, is being called more relatable and grounded than Jin Sakai.
- Cinematic options give you replay value just for the vibes.
What People Don’t Love 💔
- Some missions still slide into “busywork.”
- The revenge story, while emotional, can feel predictable.
- A few players call it “DLC vibes” instead of a full leap forward.
- Day-one patch chatter (bugs, polish issues) always lingers.
Should You Play Ghost of Yōtei? 🎮
If you loved Ghost of Tsushima, this one’s a no-brainer. It’s not a radical reimagining, but it is a sharper, prettier, and more focused version of what made Tsushima iconic. Think of it as the director’s cut of a samurai saga — with a darker edge.
For new players, this is an amazing entry point too. You don’t need to have played Tsushima to enjoy it, but if you did, you’ll notice all the little refinements.
Final Yarinuku Take 🐺🔥
Ghost of Yōtei is the type of game that makes you want to grab a tea, turn off the lights, and lose yourself in the flow. It’s not flawless — but if you want a gorgeous, cinematic revenge story with samurai combat that feels as smooth as a katana slash, you’re gonna eat good.
👉 Pro tip: if you’re picking it up, snag it with a deal (Amazon, PlayStation Store, etc. — we’ll drop links below so you don’t pay full price). And while you’re at it, if you need a new headset or controller to fully lock in, check our gear recs too.
PlayStation®5 Console – Ghost of Yōtei Gold Limited Edition Bundle (slim)
PlayStation DualSense® Wireless Controller – Ghost of Yōtei Gold Limited Edition
Ghost of Yōtei PS5
