And that’s just on the game’s normal difficulty. Tune things up to Hard or Lethal and you’re in for a challenge that can have you rage-quitting more often than you’d like. Saito’s forces are quite nasty and give no quarter to Atsu, leaving her scrambling to turn the tide back in her favor after an ill-timed parry or a missed dodge.

But is Sucker Punch’s latest samurai action blockbuster really so different from Jin Sakai’s battles against the Mongols? Well, I’d say yes and no. No, because everything that made Ghost of Tsushima’s combat system shine bright is certainly a part of the new title. Yes, because all of those systems are now fine-tuned so well, making Yotei’s combat feel like less of an overhaul and more like a logical evolution of what came before it.

How, you ask? I’d say that it comes down to three basic pillars: the combat system’s narrative framing, mechanical changes to how fights play out, and a drastically different enemy AI this time around. Let’s get started with how they’ve taken things up a notch in the franchise’s latest outing.

Giving Context to Combat

A key strength of the Ghost franchise is its ability to justify in-game mechanics with narrative beats that support the action that unfolds on your screen. That was done very well in Ghost of Tsushima, where Jin wielded the Sakai katana and tanto with the brutal efficiency that comes with years of training as a samurai. While he did gain access to bows and his Ghost tools later down the line, his family’s blade was his primary tool for dealing with the Mongol threat.

That made sense for the samurai, whose main goal was to attempt to preserve his family’s legacy and traditions while also being an effective living weapon pointed at the Mongol army and Khotun Khan. That balancing act was a major part of Jin’s character arc, and the Sakai blade was the tightrope on which he walked.

Unlocking stances to deal with varied enemy types in accordance with the samurai code’s tenets of being one with the world around them was a part of that balance, as was the honor-bound tradition of respecting life even when taking it away from those who left him with no alternatives.

Honor, and the gradual erosion of it were the core tenets of Ghost of Tsushima, and its combat system played a major role in conveying that theme to its audiences. However, Jin’s reliance on the Sakai blades did limit his range, forcing him to try getting up close and personal with his opponents in open combat. While that worked for him, Ghost of Yotei’s story does things a little differently.

Atsu has not had the luxury of being trained by samurai and is perhaps better off for it. Her combat prowess comes from many years on the battlefield as a mercenary, learning on the job and becoming quite good at fighting in large scale battles. Her innate ability to quickly learn the ins and outs of wielding a new weapon is a part of her character arc, allowing her to gain mastery over four new weapon types that replace Jin’s stances.

Despite her compassionate side coming through on many occasions, the battlefield is the one place where Atsu is utterly ruthless, and she has to be. That’s partly because Lord Saito is similarly merciless, and a master of the art of killing. Another reason is the fact that she actively cultivates her reputation as an Onryo, a departure from Jin’s reluctant acceptance of the mantle of the Ghost.

These narrative beats translate to a combat loop that sets Yotei’s protagonist free from the limitations of the samurai code, resulting in a combat loop that’s more versatile. Atsu’s katana, dual blades, kusarigama, odachi, and yari are all potent tools in the field, each coming with its own pros and cons that make Yotei’s combat feel liberating and dynamic, underlining the smoldering rage she feels for the Yotei Six.

While both titles have effectively woven narrative threads into their combat systems, Atsu’s role as a mercenary in Ghost of Yotei allows the game to bring logical, incremental improvements that make drastic differences to the manner in which fights play out in the game.

A Mechanical Marvel

The most obvious difference that I noticed when I began to find my footing in Ghost of Yotei was the stance system being replaced with different weapons. For starters, their varying range makes each one quite handy in different situations. The kusarigama is a perfect crowd control tool while the odachi could be quite effective even against non-Brute enemies once you figure out its moveset. If I were to drop a pro tip, I’d advise you not to switch weapons simply based on stagger damage but to act on instinct and choose the best one for what you’re trying to achieve in the moment.

A more subtle change that sets Yotei’s combat apart from Tsushima is the way in which you’re going to adjust your attack timings on the fly as you switch between different weapons. The Sakai katana attacked in largely the same rhythm, with only minor variations between stances. But each of Atsu’s killing tools has a unique moveset and gets you very involved in each swing as even the slightest error can take control of the fight away from you.

That’s because your enemies come with tricks of their own, the ability to disarm you being a very important one. I cannot imagine Jin losing his sword in Tsushima but I found my time with Atsu being dotted with occasions where I’d fail to appropriately respond to a disarming strike and then scramble to regain my dropped weapon. Inflicting disarming strikes of my own and then flinging my foe’s weapon into them was another brilliant addition that I quickly weaved into my battle strategy. They are creative flourishes that I believe should have been in Tsushima too but it is what it is.

Another important aspect of Yotei’s combat is that Lord Saito has seemingly invested in better training for his soldiers than Khotun Khan ever did. While consecutive strikes were relegated to boss battles in Tsushima for the most part (looking at you, Kojiro), I was (un)pleasantly surprised to see even basic enemy soldiers coming at me with multiple slashes and stabs that I had to parry individually. Regular troops often switched weapons on the fly, adding even more depth and nuance to an already excellent combat system.

Add in different special attacks for different weapons and the possibility of your wolf buddy joining the fight from time to time, and you have a recipe for a combat system that’s constantly working both for and against you depending on how well you’re able to adapt to the action and stay two steps ahead of your opponents. The Onryo Howl is an important part of this combat loop, and is quite devastating when used correctly.

All of these additions create a combat loop that almost feels alive in Ghost of Yotei, a stark contrast to the challenging yet comparatively static one on display in Tsushima. Once again, Sucker Punch hasn’t reinvented the wheel, but made iterative improvements that add up to create an experience that renders its predecessor obsolete.

Which brings us to the final facet of this evolution: the enemies themselves.

A Stronger and Smarter Rogues Gallery

Aside from my foes switching up weapons and chaining combos together in their attacks, the enemy AI in Ghost of Yotei makes the Mongols feel too easy waving their weapons around and hoping to catch me off guard. Saito’s men are vicious and unrelenting, adapting their tactics in response to my own strategies while finding very creative ways to initiate encounters with Atsu via traps and ambushes. I constantly found I had my eyes peeled as I tore across Ezo, wary of enemies looking to trip up my horse or stage a well-planned attack that could have me on the back foot right from the start.

They flank Atsu quite cleverly, often coming at her from all directions and with different weapons, forcing me to abandon one strategy for another in ways that the Mongols could never force me to do back in 2020. They felt unresponsive even on higher difficulties and I’d even go as far as to say that they were quite a sloppy bunch in comparison to Saito’s outlaws. Their arsenals were limited and their attacks now feel so simple and repetitive thanks to Atsu’s desperately pitched battles against opponents who are willing to be as dynamic as she can be in the field.

You might even find yourself making regular use of the Loadout system depending on which member of the Yotei Six you’re hunting. I found myself relying heavily on the yari when taking on The Kitsune’s shinobi and their preference for the kusarigama, for instance. Yotei’s enemy AI is the final pillar of how its combat system has taken the basic skeleton of its predecessor and added enough muscle to it to make it feel familiar yet fresh.

I’d say that Jin would have a thing or two to learn from Atsu if the two protagonists could have met. Her aggression and dynamic approach is something he’d find easy to understand but hard to master thanks to his rigid samurai training.

As far as combat is concerned, the Ghost has gracefully made way for the Onryo to take the center stage in one of the franchise’s most crucial aspects.

Note: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, GamingBolt as an organization.

It’s easy to see how Sucker Punch retained the best of Tsushima and built around it to refine the experience it was offering in the franchise’s first current-gen title. But can that strategy work if it decides to bring a new addition to its ranks? What could a new Ghost title bring to the table to set itself apart from both Jin and Atsu?

That’s what we’re here to discuss as we dive into what the future could hold for the studio’s excellent brand of samurai action, and the potential time periods it could take on.

An Interesting New Direction

First of all, it’s important to remember that Sucker Punch is not keen on the idea of using a location other than Japan, a sentiment made known by the Brian Fleming, the studio’s head. According to him, the Ghost franchise relies on “somebody wielding a katana” and “Japan’s natural beauty”. While the possibility of seeing a Ghost title centered around other locations around the world would have been quite thrilling, Japan still has a lot to give to the franchise’s fans.

With that out of the way, let’s talk about Yotei’s Atsu. While her story does reach a sort of peaceful conclusion at the end of the game, we can’t help but wonder about the many years she spent away from Ezo as a wandering mercenary. It would be a great idea to explore that time frame, and look into how she was moulded from a frightened girl into the fearsome Onryo. However, like the Iki Island expansion that explored Jin Sakai’s memories of his father, that could very well be done in a DLC expansion.

So what then, could a new Ghost game bring to the table? Well, we’ve got a few ideas. For starters, we think that it could go back to its samurai roots but not in the way that you’d expect. Considering how the samurai have been perceived by the common folk in both Tsushima and Yotei, it could be a good idea to make them the focus of the next Ghost’s ire.

Take Yariwaka, for instance. Kasumasa Sakai and Shimura’s brutality in stamping out that region’s rebellion was a major talking point in Tsushima. So much so that Jin would have to earn the trust of its leaders who were happy to see the samurai being placed on the back foot by the Mongols. Its people saw the samurai as villains, an extension of an oppressive Shogun regime that did not care about them.

Things are the same in Ezo, where a large part of its population have travelled to the region to escape the Shogun’s oppression, and as such, look at the Matsumae clan with either suspicion, or disdain. While both Tsushima and Ezo have their fair share of people who do admire what the samurai stand for, a new Ghost title could be a very interesting take on what could happen if the samurai themselves are the enemy.

The sequel could then have its protagonist going against either his own clan or the Shogun himself, their goal being to fight against corruption and oppression. There are several time periods in Japanese history that would be excellent choices for such a tale, and would fit very well with the franchise’s penchant for exploring complex philosophies governing individual identity and the role of each person in the world that they live in.

Let’s take a look at a few.

A Plethora of Options

For starters, the Sengoku period is an obvious choice. There was a lot of anti-Shogun sentiment around the time, and the era is in fact a precursor to the story on display in Yotei. The Onin War and its eventual progression into the Sengoku period could see a new Ghost wage their crusade in a more urban setting. It would allow Sucker Punch to improve verticality in the franchise’s gameplay loop, potentially bringing changes to the grappling hook while adding several interesting twists to both exploration and combat.

With intense political struggles between rival clans, a Ghost title in this time period could allow its protagonist to pit clans against each other in order to achieve their own goals. It’s an opportunity to introduce a bit of psychological warfare into the mix while activities like night raids, duels with displaced ronin, and so much more bring a new yet familiar title to the franchise’s illustrious ranks.

There’s also the option of having the new Ghost take to piracy. The Wokou were Japanese pirates but did have people from other Asian ethnicities among their ranks. It would be the perfect opportunity to examine varying ideologies while introducing naval combat to the franchise.

A pirate Ghost could be a great option, coming with a ton of new weapons and tactics while also bringing the opportunity to examine how poverty and the apathy of leaders could lead people to take desperate measures. We could very well see the new Ghost using rope darts, navigating the seas through varying tides, boarding ships silently, and so much more.

Thanks to Yotei, we’ve been introduced to the Ainu, an indigenous group native to Ezo (or Hokkaido as it’s now known). Their resistance to Japanese colonization could be another great idea for a new Ghost title given their relatively peaceful culture. An Ainu Ghost might be torn between their roots and their mission to prevent the erasure of their people, resorting to drastic measures to achieve their ends that risk them being alienated from the ones they hold dear.

That would be quite a narrative goldmine that aligns with the stories that we’ve seen so far but could also be a valuable way to introduce some truly innovative gameplay mechanics into the mix. There could be stealth sections using boats in rivers, the opportunity to bring in social stealth, a weather system that changes how the game is played during winter, mythic tales based on Ainu folklore, hunting, and so much more. It’s an opportunity to tell a deeply personal story with a protagonist who might be the most charming Ghost we’ve met so far.

Another option, and probably our favorite one, is the Boshin War and the political strife that followed it. That’s an interesting point in Japanese history where the nation’s isolationism and the opening of its borders led to a lot of turmoil in its political hierarchies, leading to a lot of conflict that’s the perfect stage for the rise of a new Ghost.

It could be an excellent way to introduce new weapons into the character’s arsenal while also retaining the combat system that has made the franchise as popular as it currently is. It’s also perfect from a narrative standpoint, with the debate surrounding ideologies and the influence of other nations on Japan being great places to stage a story about where a samurai’s loyalty must truly lie. Gameplay wise, it could feature large scale battles and desperate last stands, the likes of which the franchise has not brought to the table thus far.

If Sucker Punch continues to craft its experiences in the manner that it is, this era in Japanese history could be a great option for the studio to tell us a tale that we’re not likely to forget.

The Path Ahead

No matter what lies ahead for the franchise, I would argue that Sucker Punch needs to do things a little differently this time around. Despite Yotei being among my favorite open world experience and my personal pick among PlayStation exclusives, the fact remains that it is only an iterative upgrade over Jin Sakai’s adventure in Tsushima.

The next title cannot afford to ride on the goodwill of the games that came before it, and must be a game that doesn’t just build on its predecessors, but outshines them entirely. It can be quite hard to achieve that balance but considering just how well the studio has managed to bring reverence and authenticity to its take on ancient Japan, the third time could very well be the charm in its case.

The next Ghost carries the weight of living up to their predecessors while ushering the franchise into its future. But with Sucker Punch’s penchant for creating hard-hitting stories and excellent gameplay mechanics, we’re sure that the Ghost, and the franchise, is going to come out swinging.

All that remains is to wait for the eventual announcement of the next instalment in a franchise that has now firmly cemented its place among the best that the open world action-adventure genre has to offer.

Note: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, GamingBolt as an organization.

After the Yōtei Six murdered her family and left Atsu for dead, she embarks on a campaign of vengeance to hunt down every single member. This requires gathering clues about their whereabouts and preparing her own techniques and arsenal. Alongside the katana, she can utilize new weapons such as the dual swords, odachi, kusarigama, yari, and even firearms.

Ghost of Yōtei launches on October 2nd for PS5. For a more extensive look at the gorgeous scenery of Ezo, head here. Regarding Atsu’s connection to Jin Sakai, the previous game’s protagonist, co-director Nate Fox has clarified that they aren’t related. You can learn more here.

With a new map to explore, and a lot to do it in it as we step into the shoes of Atsu, a woman who has nothing to lose and everything to gain from her quest for revenge against those who uprooted her relatively peaceful past, Ghost of Yotei seems all set to build on everything good about the franchise’s maiden voyage.

We thought it would be a good idea to take a look at how Sucker Punch plans to do things differently this time around. To that end, here are fifteen differences between the two titles that are primed to make Ghost of Yotei feel like a whole new adventure this time around.

Note: All of the information in this feature is based on official sources.

15. A More Dynamic Open World

The lands of Ezo are quite dangerous for people who cannot handle the threats they present. Fortunately, Atsu doesn’t count among them and is all set to build her legend among its folk in more ways than one.

Sucker Punch has been quite enthusiastic about its efforts to make exploring its new map more organic and rewarding for those among us who just like to hop onto our house and ride on to whatever catches our eye. Beautiful fields, flowery paths that give Atsu a speed boost, and a whole lot of things to do as she blazes a path to revenge are slated to make Yotei a current-gen open world that could shake things up from the genre’s tried and tested traditions.

And while the map is going to be similar in size to Tsushima, its scope is looking far more ambitious.

14. A New Way to Track Important Quests

Like Jin, Atsu is going to meet a few interesting folks on her path to bringing an end to the Yotei Six. Unlike Jin, she gets a very cool way to keep track of them via the new clue card system. Making excellent use of the game’s unique art style, this is an addition that we’re eager to see for ourselves as we dive into the adventure.

That’s because while the journal system from the original game was quite effective at fulfilling its purpose, Sucker Punch’s new way of tracking important quests and information looks and feels a lot more immersive, a reflection of the time period the game is set in, and a very unique visual reminder of the people who matter in Atsu’s tale.

13. An Innovative Approach to Discovery

Ghost of Tsushima had a lot of interesting folks who formed the bulk of its supporting cast, as well as many troubled inhabitants of Tsushima who needed Jin’s help. What did they all have in common? Jin had to go to them to learn more about their needs, or perhaps even trade with them or upgrade his gear. It was in line with a more traditional approach to open-world titles, but that was five years ago.

We’re truly in a new age of gaming experiences, and Ghost of Yotei is taking a very inspired approach to its side content. Atsu can camp in the open world, relaxing for a moment by playing her shamisen, which we’ll get to in a minute. But that’s not all that happens in your camp. You could very well have one of the open world’s denizens find you and share your fire, providing you with useful information and perhaps even pointing you in the direction of your next quest.

It’s a refreshing approach to discovering new content, and it is probably going to save Yotei’s players a lot of time, which they can now spend achieving their objectives instead of seeking them out.

12. New Mission Types

There’s going to be a lot of new ways to engage with the lands of Ezo, and Atsu’s journey is set to put some very dangerous individuals in her path, the Yotei Six notwithstanding. If you’re looking to grow her legend and perhaps earn a bit of cash for those weapon and gear upgrades while doing so, bounty hunts are now a part of the franchise’s excellent gameplay loop.

For those of you who like to let their weapons do the talking, these missions are a major new addition that cement Atsu’s role as a mercenary instead of an honorable samurai like Jin.

11. A New Forecast For A New Land

One of our favorite parts of Ghost of Tsushima was the fact that the weather changed the more we leaned into Jin’s transformation into the Ghost. Going from bright and sunny to dark and gloomy, with thunderclouds making their presence felt, the more Jin left his honorable roots as a samurai behind, the island of Tsushima seemed to mourn the loss of one of its sons and reflect the dark path he had chosen.

However, Ezo isn’t Tsushima. And with a lot of varied biomes populating its vast expanses, it could prove to be very different from Tsushima, and perhaps even add more variety to the weather as a result.

While it remains to be seen if we’re going to witness changing seasons like in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, it would be fair to expect a more dynamic weather pattern in play as we dive deep into Ezo’s many mysteries and perhaps even have them influence the gameplay loop on offer in Ghost of Yotei.

10. Hunting The New Antagonists

Khotun Khan didn’t bother concealing his presence in Ghost of Tsushima. Jin knew where he was for most of the story, simply lacking the means to take him head-on until he rallied the disparate forces of Tsushima behind the banner of the Ghost before repelling the cunning Mongol leader.

The Yotei Six are far more insidious, weaving themselves into the very fabric of Ezo and running things from the relative safety of metaphorical shadows. Atsu is going to have to make the most of Ezo’s new exploration mechanics and all of Sucker Punch’s best changes in her quest for revenge, and hunt down each of these terrifying threats by fostering a connection with the land and its people.

9. The Price of Revenge

It wouldn’t be a Ghost title if it didn’t have complex themes to tackle. While details remain scarce about the price Atsu will have to pay for her revenge, we’re certain that her tale is going to be just as poignant as Jin’s.

While Ghost of Tsushima saw Jin gradually replace his notions of honor and tradition in the face of the Mongol’s tactics, Atsu has already left her old identity behind, forging a new one to extract a very steep price from the ones who made that a necessity.

Perhaps she learned of Jin’s legend, passed down over the three centuries between their lives? Either way, her narrative conflicts are going to be something to look out for as she embarks on her hunt.

8. Past Participation

While the flashbacks to Jin’s past were a very crucial part of Jin’s character arc in Ghost of Tsushima, they often came at moments that interrupted important moments in the present. Sucker Punch seems to have taken note of that oddity and has introduced a clever new way for its players to witness Atsu’s own tragic origins.

In what we see as a very immersive twist, players can now flit between her past and present at key areas in the game, witnessing more of the life she left behind courtesy of the Yotei Six, and perhaps gaining insight into her motivations as a character. It’s a very cool wrinkle to the franchise’s formula, and could potentially be a great way to introduce a bit of exposition in the game’s narrative.

7. A New, More Willing Ghost

Jin’s reluctant transformation from honorable samurai to the ruthless Ghost was a key part of the original game’s emotional heft. However, as a mercenary hell-bent on revenge, Atsu’s willingness to do what’s necessary is going to set her apart as a protagonist. Sucker Punch’s enthusiasm about her taking on the role of a demon, or Onryo, is sure to shine through in the narrative.

How much is going to remain of Atsu once she has her revenge against the Yotei Six? How far will the Onryo be willing to go in her quest to end their tyranny? Like you, we can’t wait to find out!

6. Different Warriors, Different Minds

While Jin composed haiku and played his flute as a somber way to prepare his mind for battle, Atsu takes a similar yet different approach to a similar goal.

In tune with the franchise’s emphasis on nature, Atsu undertakes the art of Sumi-e as a way to unwind, a parallel to Assassin’s Creed Shadows that is sure to draw a few comparisons.

She replaces the flute with a Shamisen that’s set to be more than just a musical instrument – it’s a way for players to tell the game where they wish to go next! Unlocking different songs to play lets you tailor exploration based on your needs. That’s a cool way to make your music work for you if there ever was one.

5. Revamped Combat

Jin’s ability to switch stances on the fly, thanks to his years of training with the Sakai family’s katana, makes way for Atsu’s expertise with a variety of weapons, thanks to her role as a mercenary.

You know switch weapons as you take on varying opponents, with each moveset being more suitable to counter the particular attacks of an enemy’s weapon type. But Sucker Punch hasn’t been content with its inventive switch-up, and added the possibility of Atsu losing her weapon in the heat of battle.

You could find yourself forced to take on another enemy who wields the weapon you need and disarm them in order to deal with the one who did the same to you. It’s a change that could make each fight quite unpredictable in Yotei, and is a very welcome one for that very reason.

4. Firearms

Considering that Ghost of Yotei takes place around 300 years after the events in the previous game, it makes sense that firearms are now a part of commonly used weaponry. And Atsu certainly knows how to handle a gun!

A trailer showcasing her proficiency with firearms indicates that gunplay could very well be a viable path to victory for those of you with steady trigger fingers. We just hope that it makes good use of the DualSense 5’s advanced haptics to make the experience feel all the more authentic as a result.

3. Part of a Pack

While Jin primarily fought alone unless he was aided by another of Tsushima’s residents, Atsu seems more in touch with nature, even managing to get a wolf to fight at her side. While Sucker Punch has been cagey about what her new companion is capable of, the gameplay showcase for Ghost of Yotei did have her wolf buddy taking a bite out of a few unfortunate opponents who were foolhardy enough to take the duo on.

For our part, we’re hoping for a few skills that let our loyal companion have a more active role in the fighting that’s coming our way.

2. Choose Your Legendary Director

Akira Kurosawa’s influence on the first game is nearly as legendary as the director himself. But Ghost of Yotei is poised to bring in the cinematic talent of other notable names in the samurai film genre.

Two additional modes that reflect the techniques of Takashi Miike and Shinichiro Watanabe are going to make an appearance in the new title. Those standoffs are going to get a whole lot flashier.

1. A New Perspective

There was a bit of resistance to Atsu taking over the reins from Jin when Ghost of Yotei was first revealed to the world. Considering the time period that the game is set in, Atsu’s place in society is arguably one in which she is placed among the outcasts of a feudal setup that did not value a woman of her stature, considering all the losses she faces before she decides to do something about it. That’s a narrative wrinkle that could be the greatest part of her adventure, placing her in stark contrast to Jin.

As an honorable samurai and the nephew of Tsushima’s Jito, Jin’s encounters with the denizens of his home were underlined with a sense of respect and trust. Ezo may do Atsu no such favors, requiring that she earn the trust, and perhaps fearful respect, of those she encounters. The gameplay showcase touched upon thi,s but perhaps Sucker Punch is saving the biggest ace up its sleeve for when the game releases.

And that wraps up our list of the biggest changes from Ghost of Tsushima to Ghost of Yotei. We’d love to hear what you’re most excited about, and perhaps even find some new perspectives from you! Just let us know in the comments, and join us as we wait with bated breath for a title that’s going to test our skills and tug at our heartstrings.

Between lush forests, snowy ridges, and fields of flowers, Ezo is a visually stunning place to behold, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t extensive danger around every corner. As Atsu ventures into the land, hunting the Yōtei Six, she must contend with mercenaries seeking the bounty on her head. Fortunately, she’s capable of defending herself with dual blades, the odachi, firearms, and more.

Depending on where Atsu decides to pursue clues, her journey through Ezo can take different paths. Of course, you can also roam the world with your horse, basking in the atmosphere and visuals. Sucker Punch sought to realistically depict Hokkaido, which you can learn more about here.

Ghost of Yōtei launches on October 2nd for PS5. It’s slated to appear at Tokyo Game Show later this month, so stay tuned for more details.

Since Tokyo Game Show 2025 won’t have its own major show with new trailers and reveals, the event will instead likely give us closer looks at the gameplay for both titles, as well as new details that will likely be revealed. Of the two titles, Ghost of Yōtei is closer to release with its October 2 launch date. Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls, on the other hand, doesn’t yet have a release date aside from a 2026 window. It does, however, have a closed beta coming up from September 5 to September 7.

PlayStation will be joined by several companies from across the gaming industry, including Capcom, Sega, Kojima Productions, Square Enix, and Koei Tecmo. The last of these confirmed earlier this month that it will be at Tokyo Game Show 2025 with three of its titles– Nioh 3, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, and Ninja Gaiden 4.

Tokyo Game Show 2025 will start on September 25, and will go on until September 28. The duration of the show itself will be split into two, with the first two days being only open to various businesses where demos will be showcased and new games will be pitched, while the second half of the duration will have the show open to the public.

The event was officially announced back in July with a trailer that also revealed the new art that will be used to promote TGS 2025. The announcement also confirmed that 772 exhibitors will be present, 473 of which will be Japanese. The venue for the event will feature more than 4,000 booths across a massive exhibition space, with a variety of developers showcasing their upcoming titles, ranging from smaller indie studios to massive AAA companies.

“I am truly happy to have received so many reactions to the teaser illustration,” said artist Zashiki Warashi about the artwork’s reveal alongside the announcement of Tokyo Game Show 2025. “I drew it with a feeling of gratitude towards those involved in game production. I put my heart into it despite the pressure of such a prestigious event like TGS. I would be happy if visitors to TGS enjoy it even a little!”

As for Ghost of Yōtei, developer Sucker Punch Productions had released a trailer highlighting some of its single-player gameplay earlier this month. The trailer showcased how protagonist Atsu is able to use different weapons to take down various enemies. Sucker Punch has also confirmed that it is working on a co-op Legends mode for the title, slated for launch later.

Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls has also been getting trailers, with one from earlier this month showcasing its gameplay mechanics and various systems.

Reports about the new game’s map being roughly the same size as the original game point to an approach that many other PlayStation exclusives could have taken for their sequels, making them better instead of just larger. Sucker Punch’s decision to fill the lands of Ezu with more to do in a limited space could make Ghost of Yotei a sequel like no other.

But why is it a clever decision? That’s because of the studio’s approach to making the world it has built for us to explore as much of a main character in the new game as its new protagonist. The gameplay deep dive from Sucker Punch brought many interesting facets of its world building to the forefront of its examination of how it built on its phenomenally successful 2020 release, and there’s a lot to justify its decision to keep the size of its new world more or less the same.

The World Tells A Story

Ghost of Tsushima put the titular island in the spotlight of its narrative, making Jin Sakai’s fight against the Mongols a reflection of his love for the land that he called home. It was a smart way to make his story deeply  personal with the added advantage of reflecting the inner conflict between his upbringing and journey to becoming the Ghost.

Sucker Punch cleverly interspersed beautiful meadows, fields, and villages with areas that were ravaged by the war, painting the Mongols as an ever-present antagonist that showcased the overwhelming odds Jin would face off against and the need for him to become something more than just a samurai. The world it had created justified its narrative in many ways, and by retaining a similar size for Ghost of Yotei, the studio can recreate the integration it so deftly handled the first time around.

For instance, allowing players to look at flashbacks of Atsu’s past life with a simple button press actually addresses one of the few complaints we had with Jin’s story. His own flashbacks often came up during crucial moments in the present, suspending the tension for a trek through his memories that was quite jarring. By giving its players control over when they would like to take a trip down memory lane, Sucker Punch has ensured that its new map puts its players in the driver’s seat.

It also makes narrative sense for the new game to feature a similarly sized map, considering that Atsu doesn’t face an invading army in her tale of revenge, although there are plenty of enemies standing between her and the Yotei Six. As far as the story in its sequel goes, a bigger map, was unnecessary and Sucker Punch has certainly made a good call not to expand on its size.

Sucker Punch keeps Atsu’s feet firmly on the ground even as it makes her even more of a deadly killing machine that Jin. And for the story it is trying to tell, that’s a good thing.

So Much to Do, So Much to See

As far as gameplay is concerned, a map that’s similarly sized to Tsushima once again makes sense for Ghost of Yotei. Sucker Punch’s emphasis on organic discovery of all the content it has brought to the table. Despite its many strengths, Ghost of Tsushima’s side content was among its weak points with repetitive activities of which only some offered rewards that were beneficial to its gameplay loop.

Its side missions were also a sore point, largely devolving into fetch and carry quests that saw Jin go from point A to point B with a few platoons of Mongols to take down. While there were notable exceptions like the Mythic Tales, it was a design flaw that several open world titles at the time fell prey to. However, with current-gen systems raising the bar for the quality of games on offer, it’s high time that changed.

Atsu’s adventure does not run the risk of such needless bloat. Ghost of Yotei’s gameplay loop is primed to be an argument in favor of a more ambitious approach to its world, and having a map that’s full of substantial activity is certainly better than a larger one with that content merely spread out to pad out an already significant playtime.

Indeed, retaining the same map size could allow Sucker Punch to present a world that seems larger than it actually is considering how Atsu must painstakingly assemble clues about the people she hunts by actively engaging with the world around her. It’s an approach that can make her the ultimate predator in a world where her prey is quite good at remaining unseen.

A larger map runs the risk of ruining the engagement that Sucker Punch’s new approach to world building aims to establish. It wouldn’t make sense for Atsu to spend more time in her saddle than she does hunting her targets in a tale that’s focused on presenting a lone wolf hunting what feels like the entire jungle.

It could also help with the main narrative’s pacing and solve a glaring issue that Ghost of Tsushima’s third act brought to the fore. The northernmost part of Tsushima felt empty and barren, with only a handful of activities to dust off before taking on Khotun Khan and the remnants of his dismantled army.

Although Tsushima was by no means small, it could have had so much more variety to its side activities. Sucker Punch’s ambitions for its sequel are better served with a map that does not place size over scope on almost all fronts, allowing for a more focused gameplay loop that sustains the freedom to explore that its players would expect from its open world.

The Quality of a Life

Another reason in favor of Sucker Punch’s decision to not go for a bigger map in Ghost of Yotei is the manner in which it has implemented quality of life changes that make sense for its players. For starters, the ability to make camp while you’re out in the world means, with important NPCs finding you instead of having to hunt them down.

It’s an important change that once again justifies the decision to avoid a larger map in Ghost of Yotei as it simply removes the necessity for it. That’s exacerbated by a more streamlined approach to quests involving NPCs as the new menu that Sucker Punch presented makes managing their different objectives quite easy and is sure to work well with the fast travel system from Ghost of Tsushima that we believe is sure to make a return in the new game.

Moreover, the addition of flower streams that add a boost to your speed while you ride through them is another meaningful tweak that can work in Sucker Punch’s favor. The added speed would have meant nothing if the distance Atsu had to cover was also quite large. However, foregoing the added size ensures that the new addition makes sense from a traversal standpoint, emphasising Sucker Punch’s determination to bring quality over quantity to its new title.

Retaining the same map size is also an opportunity for the studio to integrate more verticality into its world and potentially improve on the climbing mechanics it established in the first game. While they certainly got the job done, it’s unlikely that players would have anything negative to say about more climbing points as they try and hunt down new abilities, or particularly elusive targets who may think that the high ground makes them safe from Atsu’s steel.

Bigger Does Not Translate to Better

All things considered, we believe that Sucker Punch has deftly set itself up for success by going with a map that’s as big as the one it first established for its wildly successful franchise. Doing so ensures that the open world it brings to its players never outstays its inevitable welcome, allowing the studio to craft an experience that puts its players first.

A bigger map would do nothing to elevate the ambitious changes that the studio is bringing to its narrative, gameplay, and exploration mechanics. It would only serve to limit all  meaningful things to do while you’re out exploring the region in Ghost of Yotei, taking away from the experience by making players traverse larger distances for the same reward.

In short, a map similar in size to Tsushima is not a disadvantage. It’s an opportunity for Ghost of Yotei to outshine its predecessor on almost every front. And we believe that Sucker Punch saw that right off the bat when it sat down at its drawing board for its upcoming title.

Note: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, GamingBolt as an organization.

Each weapon type has advantages against different enemies, and while swapping is the “most efficient way to play,” co-director Nate Fox says you won’t be forced to. “The game definitely would like players to learn how to switch weapons when it is appropriate. It is the most efficient way to play,” he told IGN.

“Let’s face it, people sometimes want to play in the way that makes them feel the coolest and the game will not hurt you if you do that. If you want to play with just two swords in each hand because it looks cool, you can play through the whole game that way. It’s A-okay.”

Implementing multiple weapons is essentially expanding on Tsushima’s stances, per Fox. “Instead of four stances, there are now five. Instead of stances with one weapon, we took that same system and said, okay, instead of stances, it’s new melee weapons. Functionally, it’s the same as stances, but it’s more.

“For instance, if you use a spear, you can use that weapon to knock enemies backwards in space. So if you’re standing near a cliff fighting them, you can knock them off the cliff into the abyss. Works just like stances, but there are extra abilities attached to each of these weapons to give the player more options.” So while fans of the first game can seamlessly transition to the new system, there will be more nuance involved with each weapon.

Ghost of Yōtei launches on October 2nd for PS5. It’s posed to be the same length as Ghost of Tsushima (depending on how you play) and offers a similar scope and scale. Check out our feature for even more details.

“The PlayStation 5 is, of course, an incredible piece of hardware, but let’s face it, this controller’s magnificent. I love the haptics. I love the way the touchpad works. Ghost of Yōtei is built from the ground up to use the PlayStation 5 and to have those lightning-fast loads, and to be able to use the DualSense controller to its maximum effect.”

Considering how incredible the load times are for Ghost of Tsushima, you have to wonder how Yōtei will improve on the same. However, the console hardware and features are such that Fox outright says the sequel wouldn’t be possible without them.

“We learned a lot of lessons by seeing Ghost of Tsushima through the lens of that controller that we wouldn’t have had otherwise. So it gave us a head start on how to make Yōtei as PS5-friendly as possible and really to come alive through that controller, which I adore. We could not have made this game without the PS5’s features, which we’re very happy to be making a game exclusively targeted for this controller.”

Ghost of Yōtei launches on October 2nd for PS5 and will feature PS5 Pro support at launch (though further information has yet to be revealed). Sucker Punch has confirmed that the overall length of the experience is similar to Tsushima, though this will depend on how you play it. Regardless of which direction the story goes in, unfortunately, Jin Sakai won’t be returning. Stay tuned for more details and check out our feature for the latest details.

The art style in the design’s depiction of Ezo is based on a Japanese art form known as kintsugi. The art form revolves around creating imagery out of repairing broken ceramics by using gold and lacquer. As Sony’s description of the design says, “The design captures the essence and aesthetic of kintsugi, symbolizing beauty in imperfection and mirroring Atsu’s own personal journey of healing and resilience amidst the adversities she’ll face along the way.”

The other side of the console sports a special maker’s seal that has been engraved with the PlayStation’s iconic shapes.

The limited edition releases also come with matching controllers with the same colours. The design on the DualSense controllers features thick brush strokes all over their front, with a silhouette of protagonist Atsu present on the touchpad.

“Our inspiration for this design came straight from one of the core aspects within the game: a deep focus on exploration,” said Ghost of Yōtei creative director Jason Connell about the special edition consoles. “This includes the hand-drawn icons Atsu marks on her map, a kintsugi-style effect pulled from her Ghost mask, and brushstrokes reminiscent of her Sumi-e paintings. The towering Mount Yōtei is included at the center of the console design to pull it all together, and Atsu is spotlighted on the DualSense controller. Each of these elements were thoughtfully woven into both the console and controller designs.”

The limited editions for both colourways are available in the form of a regular PS5 as well as the PS5 Digital Edition. The console will also come with a digital copy of Ghost of Yōtei, along with all the pre-order content for the game, along with some digital goodies, like a unique in-game mask, and seven PSN avatars based on concept art of Atsu and the members of the Yōtei Six.

For Ghost of Yōtei fans that already own a PS5, Sony has also confirmed that Console Covers featuring the artwork for both the slim model PS5 as well as the PS5 Pro will be available to buy directly from PlayStation Direct. However, the company has noted that these will only be available in limited quantities. The limited edition DualSense controller can also be bought separately. For a nicer look at these Ghost of Yōtei limited edition consoles, controllers and console covers, check out the gallery below.

In the meantime, also check out our coverage of the Ghost of Yōtei State of Play, with new details revealed, like the ability for players to disarm enemies and swap weapons on the fly.