Ghost of Yotei is officially on the way from Sucker Punch. As a sequel to Ghost of Tsushima, the new adventure is set to put us the role of a new protagonist, and not only that, but we'll be heading to another region of Japan. Initially revealed as the big closing announcement in the PlayStation State of Play September 2024 showcase, our very first look at the open-world experience looked absolutely beautiful - just as the previous journey featuring Jin Sakai was.
Alongside the unveiling, we also got confirmation that the follow-up will be coming our way sometime in 2025. Hopefully, we won't have much of a wait to find out a release date. With news that a Ghost of Tsushima movie was in the works back in 2021, there's been a lot of speculation about someday seeing a Ghost of Tsushima 2, so it's certainly exciting to know a new game does indeed await us. There's definitely an appetite for it, after all, what with Yotei encouraging newbies to try out the first open-world adventure. And following the sequel's announcement, Sony has also reaffirmed its plans to release "major single-player games" every year going forward.
It's shaping up to one of the biggest new games and most exciting upcoming PS5 games in the pipeline. Read on below to find a full recap of everything we know so far about Ghost of Yotei.
Ghost of Yotei release date speculation
Currently, Ghost of Yotei is set to release in 2025, with Sucker Punch only revealing the year for its expected launch window so far. Given that it's only just been officially announced, it may be some time before we get a more exact release date.
Ghost of Yotei is currently launching as a PS5 exclusive. While it has yet to be confirmed, Ghost of Tsushima eventually released on PC, so it's quite possible that we'll see the sequel follow suit and come to PC at a later date.
Ghost of Yotei trailer
The official announcement trailer (which you can watch above) gives us our first look at Ghost of Yotei, with shots of some beautiful vistas, bloodstained snow, a ravenous-looking wolf, along with the introduction of the new protagonist who will be leading the next adventure.
Can I pre-order Ghost of Yotei?
Currently, Ghost of Yotei pre-orders on PS5 are not yet live digitally or physically, but it's well worth keeping an eye out for announcements - especially when we get closer to the 2025 launch window. If Ghost of Tsushima is anything to go by, we may well see some pre-order bonuses in future, too.
Ghost of Yotei protagonist
Sucker Punch detailed in a PlayStation blog following the showcase reveal that the team wanted to "create something fresh but familiar". So, in order to explore new avenues beyond Jin Sakai's story in Ghost of Tsushima, Ghost of Yotei will put us in the role of a new protagonist known as Atsu.
"At Sucker Punch we love origin stories, and we wanted to explore what it could mean to have a new hero wearing a Ghost mask, and uncovering a new legend," senior communications manager Andrew Goldfar says in the blog. "This led us to Ghost of Yōtei: a new protagonist, a new story to unfold, and a new region of Japan to explore."
It's also been revealed that the role of Atsu is played by actor Erika Ishii, who's also had roles in the likes of Apex Legends and Destiny 2, as well as BioWare's latest RPG, Dragon Age: The Veilguard.
Ghost of Yotei story
We don't yet know too many solid details about Ghost of Yotei's story, but the trailer offers some tantalizing hints about its direction. As a mysterious figure says, people come to the North of Japan "to disappear", but it's suggested that protagonist Atsu is hunting for something… or perhaps someone, and now "every Ronin here is after you". So it sounds as if we'll be hunted as we explore Atsu's story. The trailer certainly raises some questions about what's in store, but we'll have to wait to get some official answers about the story.
If you're considering checking out Ghost of Yotei's predecessor, you can find out our verdict on the previous story in our Ghost of Tsushima review.
Ghost of Yotei setting
Sucker Punch also revealed that Ghost of Yotei will take place over 300 years after the events of Jin's journey in Ghost of Tsushima in 1603. "Our story is set in the lands surrounding Mount Yotei," the blog details, "a towering peak in the heart of Ezo, an area of Japan known as Hokkaido in present day."
Interestingly, the setting, which is said to be home to "unexpected dangers", is going to be "a far cry from the organized samurai clans who lived in Tsushima". From what we've seen of the sequel's backdrop so far, it looks incredibly picturesque and detailed, with expansive grassy fields and snowy landscapes.
While we wait for Ghost of Yotei to arrive, why not check out our pick of the best open-world games you can play right now.
