Before you buy, see what Ghost of Yotei reviews are saying about its story, gameplay, combat and cinematic flair.
By Wright Robinson, 2nd October 2025
After a lot of anticipation, Ghost of Yotei has finally launched on 2nd October 2025. Like its predecessor, the game is not just sparking excitement but also heated debate across gaming communities, not just due to the story and gameplay elements, but political issues as well. Developed by Sucker Punch, the sequel is set in 1603 (start of the Edo period) in Mount Yōtei in Ezo, which corresponds to modern-day Hokkaido. It is a revenge story revolving around Atsu, a woman of low status and a ronin-like outsider whose family was slaughtered by the Yōtei Six. Majority of critics have praised the cinematic visuals of the game, along with its intimate storytelling. However, many Ghost of Yotei reviews also show that fans are far more divided on whether the gameplay changes are really an improvement or just frustrating missteps.
What Ghost of Yotei Gets Right
From the start of the game itself, Ghost of Yotei leans into its heavy cinematic style, like its predecessor. The Guardian has praised the game labeling it as “stunningly beautiful and its combat deliciously brutal“. According to IGN, Ghost of Yotei is better than Tsushima in every way, and manages to stand independently as well. The Verge has praised the game as well, especially how it lets players change the way the game looks and sounds. The game’s atmosphere has also received positive criticism. Reviewers from other outlets such as Eurogamer have also praised the game, particularly the story: stating that the focus on Atsu’s personal vendetta gives the narrative sharper emotional weight than broader war epics.
The Combat and Gameplay Debate
The area where Ghost of Yotei noticeably divides opinions is the combat. As per Kotaku, the combat system feels familiar to the prequel. New weapon and tool types exist and their effectiveness depends on the type of enemy one is dealing with. Although the combat is good, it is not as fluid as games such as Marvel’s Spider-Man and Batman Arkham franchise. However, they have criticized the camera aspect of the game, as it can be a pain to manage as enemies attack you from all sides, on-screen and off-screen.
GameSpot’s review praises the game’s combat as one of the game’s strongest aspects, describing it as a major improvement over its predecessor, though it is not entirely without its flaws. The game allows you to slip in unnoticed, or, take out everybody quickly and violently, which offers you multiple options to deal with enemies like the prequel. Other outlets, like GamesRadar, note that slipping up in battle can feel very punishing, and players should expect to die often. However, despite the intense difficulty, they have praised the satisfaction received after the breathless boss fights against the Yotei Six.
Side activities have also drawn criticism. While some reviewers note the guiding wind returns to help exploration, players can find repetitiveness when it comes to liberating camps and chasing collectibles. For many, this is definitely the weakest part of the experience, and therefore, some say that it is nothing but repetitive filler.
Comparison to Ghost of Tsushima
Comparisons to Ghost of Tsushima are inevitable. That game was praised for its sweeping brutal yet beautiful war narrative and its difficult yet fluid combat. By contrast, Ghost of Yotei narrows its story and scope to Atsu’s personal vendetta. Many players however feel that this smaller focus gives the story sharper emotional teeth though some players may see it as more refinement than reinvention.
Fans on Reddit have echoed that sentiment, with one thread noting that while Yotei looks sharper and feels more cinematic, its open-world structure can still feel too familiar to its prequel. In short, the new game has sparked as many comparisons as it has fresh praise.
Is Ghost of Yotei Worth Buying?
Putting all political debates aside, from a gamer’s perspective alone, whether or not to buy Ghost of Yotei depends on player expectations. For those seeking a cinematic samurai revenge tale will likely be captivated by its atmosphere and emotional story. But those who preferred Tsushima’s blend of exploration, war setting and philosophy might not find the story that appealing or may find its punishing combat and familiar side quests frustrating.
What Ghost of Yotei Means for the Franchise
If nothing else, Ghost of Yotei proves the franchise is more than just a war between the Japanese and Mongols; the franchise is alive and willing to evolve. By trading a war epic for a personal revenge story and pushing combat into more punishing territory, Sucker Punch has shown it isn’t content with just recycling the past.
