As we move ever closer to the eventual release of Ghost of Yotei, the team at Sucker Punch Productions gave us a closer look at the game via the July State of Play presentation. Lasting approximately 20 minutes, creative directors Jason Connell and Nate Fox were on hand to guide us through, and there is much to get excited about.
From its world, the combat, and the new modes that will surprise and wow, it seems that PlayStation has another big hit on its hands when October 2 rolls around. If you didn’t have time to catch the presentation live, we’re here to help you catch up in an instant.
What was Revealed at the Ghost of Yotei State of Play Presentation?
The Inviting World of Ezo
At its heart, Ghost of Yotei is a journey about revenge, with Atsu trying to hunt down the nefarious Yotei Six. Her quest for blood has created a legend, one that sees her painted as an Onyro spirit, and players can tap into that with freedom to do what they want at a chosen pace.
The fact that the game “focuses on player freedom more than any game” under the Sucker Punch banner, it bodes well for those who just want to take their time and choose their next step. This means exploring Ezo and taking in the sights, which is starkly different from the island of Tsushima. Instead of a battered landscape, expect something much more natural and vibrant.
Picking up new information feeds into the Clue System, which helps to create a more immersive experience of being in the world of Ghost of Yotei. Depending on what you learn, your next course of action might be different. Either way, you will get involved in enjoyable activities in ancient Japan, whether it’s combat, exploration, or sightseeing.
The Combat of Ghost of Yotei
Of course, with revenge comes the possibility of consequences, and for Atsu, that means bloody combat. With new tools and weapons to play with, the already impressive combat loop in the first game is getting an upgrade.
Different weapons beyond the conventional katana will spice things up, such as the kusarigama, spear, and odachi, and you will have to pick the right one for the job or go with your favourite. All weapons will have unique advantages, as well as upgrades to chase down. If you’d rather not get too close, ranged combat is also getting a boost in Ghost of Yotei. Atsu can unleash both a bow and a gun, with the latter giving you unparalleled power with little subtlety.
There will be plenty of opportunities to show off your mastery in combat, as it will remain a core part of the experience. It appears that we are only scratching the surface at this moment, as the wolf companion is shown helping out in taking out enemies, and there is also apparently a disarming system at play as well.
More Modes for Ghost of Yotei
In terms of modes, Sucker Punch is bringing back the much-lauded Kurosawa Mode, which bathes Ghost of Yotei in black and white as a homage to director Akira Kurosawa. Aside from that, there are two more options to up the immersion.
The first is Miike Mode, which infuses the game with the stylings of director Takashi Miike, known for films such as 13 Assassins. This means a much closer perspective with more blood and mud added into the mix. As for Watanabe Mode, anime-inspired lo-fi music will come into play during exploration and combat, as one would expect from Samurai Champloo director Shinichirō Watanabe.
Similar to Assassin’s Creed Shadows, players can opt for the Samurai Cinema option when playing the game, which features fully voiced Japanese dialogue with English subtitles.
Ghost of Yotei launches October 2 exclusively on the PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 5 Pro.
