Ghost of Yotei Review – One of the Best Open Worlds Ever

When Ghost of Tsushima launched in 2020, it set a high standard for open-world action-adventure games. The breathtaking landscapes, samurai-inspired combat, and memorable story of Jin Sakai captured the hearts of millions. Four years later, Ghost of Yotei arrives not as a simple sequel, but as a bold reimagining that pushes the boundaries of world design, combat freedom, and player agency. After spending over 70 hours exploring every corner of Yotei’s massive world, completing the main campaign, and immersing myself in its side activities, I can confidently say this is one of the most carefully crafted and engaging open-world experiences in modern gaming.

But Ghost of Yotei also walks a fine line between innovation and repetition. At times, it feels like a brilliant rework of what Tsushima achieved, while in other areas it struggles to escape the shadows of its predecessor. This review dives deep into every facet of the game — its world, combat, characters, and technical achievements — to help you understand why Yotei is both a familiar and revolutionary experience.

The World of Yotei: A Living, Breathing Landscape

The first and most striking aspect of Ghost of Yotei is its open world. From the moment you step into its snow-draped mountains, sprawling fields, and vibrant villages, you know this is not just an extension of Tsushima but a living, handcrafted world designed to be explored.

Where Tsushima occasionally fell into the trap of repetition — fox dens, haiku spots, and shrines scattered like checklist items — Yotei treats every encounter as an opportunity to surprise. You’ll come across Ronin interrogating peasants about your whereabouts, staged ambushes disguised as roadside accidents, or wandering musicians telling stories that lead to entire questlines. These are not simply “side missions” but meaningful moments that feel organic.

The design philosophy is clear: Yotei rewards curiosity. Unlike Tsushima, which required you to unlock regions sequentially, Yotei opens most of its map early on, inviting players to carve their own path. This freedom echoes the philosophy of Red Dead Redemption 2, where the act of exploration itself becomes the true narrative.

Narrative and Character Growth: Atsu’s Journey

At the center of this expansive world is Atsu, the new protagonist who quickly earns the moniker “the Unreo” after her encounters with the Yote Six — elite soldiers under Lord Silito. Atsu’s journey is not just about survival but about carving her identity in a fractured land.

The story begins with a tightly scripted, cinematic prologue that rivals Sony’s best first-party openings. Once Atsu is unleashed into the open world, players discover that her narrative is deeply woven into the environment. Enemies actively hunt her, bounty notices appear in towns, and random encounters remind you that your legend is growing — whether you like it or not.

What’s refreshing is how the narrative often emerges through gameplay rather than cutscenes. Surviving ambushes, interrogating foes, or encountering villagers who already know your reputation gives the story a dynamic quality. Unlike Tsushima’s more straightforward arc, Yotei’s narrative thrives in unpredictability.

Combat Evolution: Freedom and Frustration

Combat has always been the heart of Sucker Punch’s samurai series, and Yotei both refines and reinvents the system. Gone are the rigid stances of stone, water, wind, and moon. Instead, players swap between weapon types, each designed to counter specific enemies.

Dual Katanas allow for lightning-fast flurries, ideal against spear-wielders.

Kusarigama introduces a fresh stealth dynamic, letting you silently drag enemies from a distance.

Yari Spears extend reach and break through defensive foes.

Odachi acts as the game-changer — a colossal blade that demolishes brutes and cuts through almost anyone, effectively bypassing the “weapon triangle” system.

While this shift brings excitement, it also comes with drawbacks. The requirement to constantly swap weapons can sometimes disrupt flow, especially for players who want to master a single style. The Odachi, in particular, risks unbalancing the system, though it also empowers creativity in loadouts and charm builds.

Despite this, combat remains satisfying and cinematic. From stealth assassinations to large-scale duels, Yotei captures the fantasy of being a legendary warrior. Enemy AI also adds variety, with multiple factions beyond the Mongols, including Ronin mercenaries and Silito’s loyalists.

Side Activities: Variety and Depth

One of Yotei’s greatest triumphs lies in its side content. Sucker Punch clearly listened to criticism of Tsushima’s repetitive tasks and injected creativity into nearly every optional activity.

Wolf Companions: Rescuing wolves from camps and strengthening your bond adds emotional depth while unlocking a skill tree for your furry ally.

Bounties: Each target comes with a story and unique personality, often rewarding you with rare items or memorable battles.

Mythic Tales: These are showstoppers, with unique gameplay mechanics, stunning environments, and some of the best rewards in the game.

Returning Activities: Bamboo cutting, shrines, and hot springs are back, but each comes with twists — such as drunken bamboo challenges or mini-narratives attached to shrines.

Instead of filler, these activities feel like integral parts of the world. You never know whether stopping at a campfire conversation will lead to a 10-minute distraction or a multi-hour quest with narrative payoff.

RPG Systems and Progression

Yotei’s RPG elements strike a balance between accessibility and challenge. Charms now have ranks, growing stronger as you complete specific challenges. This encourages experimentation and rewards diverse playstyles.

However, armor sets remain limited, each tied to specific approaches like stealth, archery, or melee. A more modular system — mixing perks across sets — would have elevated customization. Furthermore, many abilities return from Tsushima, making progression feel like catching up rather than breaking new ground.

The most punishing change is the reliance on exploration. Key skills, weapons, and tools can be completely missed if you stick to the main story. This design forces players to embrace the world, but it can also frustrate those who prefer a streamlined path.

Technical Achievements: A Showcase for PlayStation 5

From a technical perspective, Ghost of Yotei is a triumph. Built exclusively for PlayStation 5, the game fully leverages the hardware:

Visuals: Vast draw distances, breathtaking snow-covered peaks, and dense forests make Yotei one of the most beautiful game worlds to date.

Performance: The PS5 Pro mode delivers higher resolution with ray tracing while maintaining 60fps — a remarkable achievement.

DualSense Integration: From sumi-e painting via the touchpad to subtle haptic feedback in duels, Yotei showcases how to enhance immersion without gimmicks.

It’s a reminder of why true next-gen exclusives matter. Unlike cross-gen titles, Yotei feels tailor-made to push the PS5’s capabilities.

Strengths vs. Weaknesses

What Yotei Gets Right:

An open world filled with handcrafted surprises.

Dynamic storytelling through encounters.

Varied combat with exciting new weapons.

Side activities that are meaningful and fun.

Gorgeous visuals and technical polish.

Where It Stumbles:

Too much reliance on recycled unlocks from Tsushima.

Weapon-swapping system can feel restrictive.

Armor sets remain one-dimensional.

Exploration dependence may frustrate linear players.

Final Verdict

Ghost of Yotei is both a love letter to fans of Ghost of Tsushima and a bold attempt to redefine what an open world can be. While it doesn’t completely escape the shadow of its predecessor, its handcrafted world, dynamic encounters, and technical brilliance make it one of the most engaging PlayStation exclusives in years.

If you’re looking for a game that rewards curiosity, immerses you in a breathtaking world, and offers endless distractions that feel meaningful, Yotei delivers. If you’re expecting a groundbreaking reinvention of the formula, you might find yourself wanting more.

But taken on its own, Ghost of Yotei is a triumph — a reminder of why open-world games matter when they’re designed with passion, creativity, and respect for player agency. It’s not just one of the best open worlds of this generation — it’s one of the best open worlds ever crafted.

Score: 9/10 – A must-play for open-world enthusiasts and PlayStation fans.