Ghost of Yōtei, a Samurai Sequel Poised to Redefine Open-World Adventure, Teased in 20-Minute Deep Dive Gameplay Video

Sucker Punch has been sharpening its katana and the result is Ghost of Yōtei, a standalone sequel to Ghost of Tsushima. They livestreamed a 20 minute gameplay deep dive today, hosted by creative directors Jason Connell and Nate Fox, and gave us a look at a new chapter set in 1600s Japan. Release date is October 2, 2025 on PS5 only.

They’re building on the previous game but carving their own path. Atsu is the new hero, replacing Jin from Ghost of Tsushima. Voiced by Erika Ishii, Atsu’s story is one of raw vengeance. “Sixteen years ago in the heart of Ezo, a gang of outlaws known as the Yōtei Six took everything from Atsu,” said Andrew Goldfarb, Sucker Punch’s senior communications manager in a PlayStation Blog post. “They killed her family and left her for dead, pinned to a burning ginkgo tree outside her home. But Atsu survived.” This is her origin and fuels her quest to hunt down the Yōtei Six—The Snake, The Oni, The Kitsune, The Spider, The Dragon, and Lord Saito—across the rugged landscapes of Hokkaido, then called Ezo.

Unlike Jin’s journey of honor and duty, Atsu’s story is about “underdog vengeance” and players have more control over her story than Tsushima. Hokkaido is the open world, a big departure from Tsushima’s island. Expect snow-dusted mountains, fields and prairies, all rendered in PS5’s power. Sucker Punch emphasized exploration as a core pillar and drew from research trips to Japan to make sure it’s authentic, especially with Ainu culture.


“Ghost of Yōtei features foraging, a direct result of learnings from Sucker Punch’s research trips to Japan,” Sony said. Combat is still a big part of the game but Atsu’s arsenal introduces new dynamics. The State of Play showed her dual-wielding katana and tanto and a new focus on ranged weapons like bows and early firearms. These tools reflect the era’s technological shift, blending traditional samurai techniques with proto-modern warfare.


They teased “new weapons” and “new special modes” but didn’t elaborate, so we’ll have to wait and see how those play out. Connell mentioned evolved gameplay mechanics and “unique experiences” that will make you play the world differently. Whether it’s sneaking through snowstorms or using the environment for stealth, combat seems to reward creativity and adaptability.


Customization is a big focus, giving you more agency than ever. “New ways to personalize your journey at the edge of Japan” was a big part of the deep dive and they showed options to customize Atsu’s gear, appearance and possibly even narrative choices. This aligns with Connell’s comments about reducing open-world repetition so side activities will feel more distinct. Haptic feedback and 3D audio will also enhance immersion, especially on PS5 Pro.