Ghost of Tsushima vs. Ghost of Yotei 

The biggest announcement at the most recent Sony State of Play event was Ghost of Yotei, the much-anticipated sequel to Ghost of Tsushima. Ghost of Tsushima was a hit when it launched in 2020. It set the bar quite high, delivering a picturesque adventure, intriguing storytelling, and one of the best blade-to-blade combat systems. 

Players can’t wait to see what’s in store in Ghost of Yotei, which promises to be bigger and better. While the sequel is still under development, the official announcement included insightful details about its features and gameplay. Here is a comprehensive comparison of the Ghost of Tsushima and the Ghost of Yotei. 

What is Ghost of Tsushima?

Ghost of Tsushima is an action-adventure game from developer Sucker Punch Productions and publisher Sony Interactive Entertainment. Interestingly, while the game is mostly fiction, it is based on true events. The game’s story is inspired by the first Mongol invasion of Japan in 1274, which began on the island of Tsushima, the setting for its open world. Moreover, most of its gameplay elements, such as the combat system, are also mostly inspired by Japan’s Samurai warrior culture of the time. 

What is Ghost of Yotei? 

Ghost of Yotei is the sequel to Ghost of Tsushima. It is currently under development by Sucker Punch Productions and is scheduled to launch in 2025. The new game maintains Ghost of Tsushima’s core concept pillars while also introducing a new story, character, and various gameplay features. 

Notably, Ghost of Yotei retains the core concept of playing as a wandering warrior in Feudal Japan. As such, you have the freedom to explore the vast and beautiful open world at your own pace. 

However, Ghost of Yotei also features several notable and exciting changes. Most notably, the story is set 300 years after the events in Ghost of Tsushima. Moreover, the setting changes to Yotei, a mountainous landscape in the heart of Ezo, currently known as Hokkaido. Furthermore, the game features new mechanics to go with the new setting and new weapons for the new era. It also features gameplay improvements tailored for PlayStation 5, including better, more realistic visuals. 

Story

While the developers have been discrete about the sequel’s story, it doesn’t appear to be a continuation of the story in Ghost of Tsushima. Instead, the story in Ghost of Yotei is set 300 years after the events in the first game. 

Notably, the story in Ghost of Tsushima is based on real events in Japan’s history. The year is 1274, during the first invasion of Japan by the fierce Mongol Empire. The Mongols used their superior weapons and unconventional fighting tactics to kill most of the Samurai warriors tasked with protecting Tsushima. 

Luckily, you are one of the last remaining Samurai. You must overcome defeat and fight back to rescue your nation and expel the invaders. Your Samurai code requires you to fight honorably. However, you quickly realize that fighting with honor puts you at a disadvantage against the Mongols. As such, you must learn and master new ways to fight, including the way of the Ghost. This mostly entails using stealth tactics and morally questionable weapons. 

The story in Ghost of Yotei unfolds more than 300 years later, in the year 1603. The story revolves around Atsu, a female warrior who adopts the personality of the Ghost. Interestingly, Atsu wears a mask to cover her face to maintain her Ghost persona. Atsu seems to be on a mission to seek vengeance, and her adversaries appear to be Ronin (Samurai warriors without a master). Unfortunately, the developers didn’t share more information about the game’s story during its official launch. 

Character

The protagonist in Ghost of Tsushima is Jin Sakai, a male Samurai warrior. Interestingly, the character’s last name is a tribute to Stan Sakai, the creator of Usagi Yojimbo. 

In contrast, the protagonist in Ghost of Yotei is Atsu, a female Samurai warrior. While this seems improbable, female warriors in Japan date back as early as 1108. Interestingly, this is another accurate historical context on which the new Ghost game is based. 

Gameplay

Both Ghost of Tsushima and Ghost of Yotei are action-adventure games. As such, most of their gameplay aspects involve exploring their open worlds and fighting enemies as you go. 

Adventure is an integral aspect of both games’ gameplay. Ghost of Tsushima boasts a vast and beautiful open world. The virtual world teems with natural beauty, including lush grass, beautiful flowers, elegant trees, gentle wind blowing every which way, and more. You can go anywhere you want on foot or horseback. Interestingly, the game utilizes creative ways of guiding you through the open world, such as wind, plants, and animals. 

Ghost of Yotei promises a bigger open world and better visuals for a more enjoyable adventure. The open world will feature diverse landscapes, from snowy tundra to sprawling grasslands. Interestingly, the game will feature large sightlines to enable players to take in more of the world’s beauty. The idea is to make everything more realistic, from the stars twinkling in the sky to the wind blowing on the grass. 

Besides thrilling adventures, you can also enjoy smooth sword-based action in both games. Ghost of Tsushima boasts one of the most versatile blade-to-blade combat systems. Besides swords, players can also use various other weapons, such as a blowgun. Notably, the action is strategic, as Jin applies diverse fighting stances based on enemy type. 

As with everything else, Ghost of Yotei promises a better combat system and more epic action. Notably, it will feature new mechanics to leverage the advanced PS5 hardware, meaning better and smoother movements. Moreover, it will feature new weapons. Interestingly, the game’s trailer showcases Atsu dual-wielding a katana, an ability not available in Ghost of Tsushima. 

Verdict  

Ghost of Tsushima is an outstanding game, boasting stunning visuals and one of the best sword-based combat systems. Its sequel, Ghost of Yotei, promises to be better in many ways. It will feature sharper visuals, new and improved features, and gameplay mechanics. 

So, what’s your take on comparing Ghost of Tsushima versus Ghost of Yotei? Let us know on our socials here or in the comments below.