Ghost of Yotei Review: A Boundary-Pushing PS5 Samurai RPG

Ghost of Yotei is an expansive and immersive action RPG that redefines the samurai revenge fantasy on the PlayStation 5. Developed by Sucker Punch Productions, the game offers players a richly detailed world set in 17th-century Japan with a fierce and charismatic protagonist, Atsu. Although some elements feel dated, this title stands out as a notable advancement in open-world design and combat mechanics on the PS5 platform.

Introduction: A Unique Blend of Exploration and Combat

The core appeal of Ghost of Yotei lies in its meticulous attention to small, meaningful moments that elevate the role-playing experience. From admiring the natural beauty of Mount Yotei to engaging in spontaneous events prompted by NPCs, the game fosters a deep connection between players and its world. This deliberate design encourages exploration and narrative discovery, making each play session a personalized journey.

Key Features of Ghost of Yotei

1. Expansive and Dynamic Open World

• Natural Exploration: The game’s open world is designed to feel alive, with environments that react to player actions and encouraging off-path adventures.
• Interactive Ecosystem: Players encounter diverse NPCs and dynamic events, such as bounty hunters adapting to Atsu’s actions or shinobi ambushes in snowy regions.
• Rewarding Side Quests: Hidden hot springs, skill point altars, and special items scattered throughout reward players who venture beyond the main story.

2. Intense and Strategic Combat System

• Weapon Variety: Atsu masters five distinct melee weapons — katana, dual katanas, kusarigama, odachi, and yari — each with strengths and counters, creating a rock-paper-scissors combat dynamic.
• Fluid Weapon Switching: Seamless transitions between weapons keep battles engaging and tactical.
• High Stakes: Combat punishes mistakes severely, requiring players to manage health and respond quickly to enemy moves, especially during challenging boss fights against the game’s principal antagonists.
• Innovative Mechanics: Atsu can disarm enemies and recover/discard weapons for unique offensive options, enhancing the depth of battle strategies.

3. Compelling Narrative and Protagonist

Set over 300 years after Ghost of Tsushima, the story follows Atsu, a ronin driven by vengeance against the masked Yotei Six who murdered her family. Unlike similar revenge stories, Ghost of Yotei explores the humanity behind its antagonists, giving each villain depth and memorable moments. Atsu herself channels a Clint Eastwood-esque intensity, blending charisma with ruthless justice.

4. Innovative Use of PS5’s DualSense Controller

The game takes advantage of the DualSense controller’s haptics and adaptive triggers to boost immersion. Examples include tracing calligraphy on the touchpad, controlling campfire intensity through trigger pressure, and tilting the device during cooking mini-games. These features add tactile depth to routine activities and enhance player engagement.

Strengths and Highlights

• Vast and Beautiful World: The game’s environments are breathtaking, with frequent breathtaking vistas that evoke awe and encourage photographic exploration.
• Slick and Rewarding Combat: The multifaceted combat system keeps encounters fresh, and boss battles with the Yotei Six provide high tension and excitement.
• Strong Characterization: Atsu’s complex personality and personal motivations elevate the narrative beyond typical revenge tropes.

Areas for Improvement

• Overly Guided Exploration: At times, environmental cues and NPC dialogue make discovery feel scripted rather than organic, reducing the sense of true freedom.
• Climbing and Traversal: The frequent and lengthy climbing sections disrupt pacing and feel outdated compared to contemporary open-world RPGs.
• Story Pacing: The main narrative experiences uneven pacing, with certain segments feeling padded with repetitive combat encounters or slow escort missions.

Comparison and Context

Ghost of Yotei shares thematic and gameplay similarities with acclaimed open-world titles like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Red Dead Redemption 2. While it doesn’t fully reach the effortless exploration magic of Breath of the Wild, it pushes PS5 capabilities to new heights, delivering a rich world for players to roam.

Moreover, the game complements the growing niche of action RPGs that combine deep storytelling with challenging combat systems. The layered design philosophy – balancing open exploration with intense, scripted action sequences – reflects a modern approach also seen in high-profile Sony exclusives like The Last of Us and God of War.

Conclusion: A Must-Play Samurai Revenge RPG on PS5

Ghost of Yotei is a bold evolution of the open-world samurai RPG, combining strategic combat, an expansive world, and a powerful protagonist. Despite some design quirks and pacing issues, it offers a compelling and immersive experience that will captivate fans of the genre and the PS5 alike.

Players who appreciate detailed world-building, nuanced narratives, and skillful combat will find Atsu’s journey through Ezo both satisfying and memorable.

Summary of Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Vast, beautifully crafted open world that promotes natural exploration
• Slick, dynamic, and strategic combat mechanics
• Atsu: a deeply engaging and magnetic protagonist
• Intuitive use of PS5 DualSense features enhances immersion

Cons:

• Exploration occasionally guided too overtly, reducing spontaneity
• Excessive climbing sequences disrupt flow and pacing
• Main story exhibits pacing struggles, especially near the conclusion
• Some side quests and NPC interactions can feel repetitive

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Sources:

• Best PS5 Games – GamesRadar+
• Ghost of Yotei Metacritic Score
• DualShockers Ghost of Yotei Review
• IGN Ghost of Yotei Review

As open-world RPGs continue to evolve, Ghost of Yotei stands as a testament to innovative game design on next-gen consoles, offering both depth and spectacle in equal measure.