Game Information
Game Title: Ghost of Yotei
Platforms:
- PlayStation 5 (Oct 2, 2025)
Review Aggregator:
OpenCritic - 89 average - 100% recommended - 53 reviews
Critic Reviews
CGMagazine - Zubi Khan - 8 / 10
On top of its gripping narrative, expanded weapon variety, and redefined approach to open-world game design, Ghost of Yōtei is a must-play and instant classic on PlayStation 5.
CNET - Oscar Gonzalez - Unscored
Sucker Punch had the difficult task of improving on a game some might consider perfect. Not only did they complete the task, but made it look effortless with Ghost of Yotei. The game has all the same great elements that made the original so enjoyable, yet improved on practically every aspect with hardly any flaws.
COGconnected - Rhett Waselenchuk - 100 / 100
But, most importantly, it’s simply a ton of fun. Sucker Punch Productions has raised the bar to a seemingly insurmountable height. When it’s all said and done, people will look back at this generation and regard Ghost of Yotei as a true magnum opus. It’s games like these that remind me just how special the medium can be.
Console Creatures - Matt Sowinski - 9 / 10
Ghost of Yōtei is an incredible sequel, filled with moments that will stay with me for a long time. It feels like the first party exclusive we’ve been waiting for, with Sucker Punch continuing to hit its stride.
Dexerto - James Busby - 4 / 5
While Ghost of Yotei’s tale of revenge may not cut as deep as its predecessor, Sucker Punch’s blade is still deadly. The environments of Ezo are begging to be explored, and the melee combat has never been sharper, delivering more weapons, blood, and adrenaline-fueled duels worthy of the Kurosawa films that inspired it.
Whether you’re a fan of Ghost of Tsushima or a newcomer to the series, Ghost of Yotei is a must-play. Atsu’s adventure sets a new gold standard for samurai action games and marks an exciting new chapter in the Ghost saga – one that will hopefully shape the series for years to come.
Digital Spy - Joe Draper - 4 / 5
Ghost of Yōtei doesn’t distance itself from Ghost of Tsushima too much, but the satisfyingly blood-soaked combat, rewarding exploration and intuitive ways of immersing the player make for a highly-addictive follow-up that we couldn’t put down.
Game Rant - Dalton Cooper - 10 / 10
Ghost of Yotei is a monumental open world graphics powerhouse driven by intense combat and an enthralling revenge story.
GameSpew - Richard Seagrave - 10 / 10
A true love letter to classic samurai films, Ghost of Yotei is wonderfully presented and an absolute joy to play. Its stunningly-realised world will have you immersed from the outset, spurring you to explore and discover its secrets in order to develop Atsu into a fearsome ghost. And its combat remains thrilling throughout.
GameSpot - Richard Wakeling - 9 / 10
Ghost of Yotei is shaped by Atsu, its new protagonist, as you’re propelled on a gripping tale of revenge amidst the backdrop of Feudal Japan’s contrasting beauty and violence
Gamepressure - Giancarlo Saldana - 9 / 10
At its core, Ghost of Yotei is another tale of revenge, but it’s the way it frames that theme—through Atsu’s humanity, the land of Ezo, and the people within it—that makes the experience truly worthwhile.
GamesRadar+ - Andrew Brown - 4.5 / 5
Ghost of Yotei is a vast, sprawling adventure with one of the greatest protagonists in gaming. While some dated climbing segments and a nagging sense of artificiality prevent it from reaching perfection, Sucker Punch’s historical RPG is a must-play revenge fantasy.
Gaming Nexus - Jason Dailey - 9 / 10
Ghost of Yotei separates itself from the original game in all the right ways, improving and iterating on everything from combat to quest design. This is what a sequel should be. This is why we play video games.
GamingBolt - Ravi Sinha - 9 / 10
While fans of the original may initially find it more iterative than evolutionary, Atsu’s quest for vengeance is an incredible new tale from Sucker Punch that expands on Tsushima in all the best ways.
IGN - Michael Higham - 8 / 10
A predictable but well-executed story takes you through Ghost of Yotei’s gorgeous landscapes and satisfying, fluid action – it may not be revolutionizing open world games, but it’s a great distillation of the samurai fantasy.
AAA samurai action with style, depth and thrilling combat; an open-world triumph.
Loot Level Chill - Mick Fraser - 10 / 10
Ghost of Yotei is a genuine masterpiece that takes up the mantle dropped by Tsushima and runs with it.
From its quiet contemplative moments, taking in the aurora borealis atop the peaks of Mount Yotei itself, to the nail-biting assaults on castles or liberating towns from Saito’s grasp, Ghost of Yotei was an excellent experience from start to finish.
Nexus Hub - Sam Aberdeen - 9.5 / 10
Ghost of Yotei is every bit as exciting, absorbing, and visually awe-inspiring as its predecessor - a stellar sequel that carefully refines its stylish combat, solid art direction, and grand exploration.
One More Game - Ricki Buzon - 9 / 10
Despite its more streamlined narrative, familiar genre beats, and sometimes repetitive nature, Ghost of Yōtei is an experience that’s worth the wait and more. It honors the spirit of Ghost of Tsushima while evolving its systems in meaningful ways, offering a refreshingly fresh and refined combat experience, deeper customization, and a richly realized world. Ghost of Yōtei is unmissable.
Exploring Ezo Island is a rewarding experience in Ghost of Yōtei, whether you’re admiring its breathtaking landscapes or engaging in dynamic combat that challenges your adaptability and mastery of diverse weaponry. Atsu’s personal quest for vengeance may occasionally take a backseat to the wealth of activities available, but the journey remains compelling throughout.
PlayStation Universe - John-Paul Jones - 10 / 10
Ghost of Yōtei is that rare sequel that not only maintains the essence of its highly successful predecessor, but also qualitatively leapfrogs it in just about every meaningful way and metric. Underscored by a grippingly furious tale of revenge inspired by a layer cake of classic Japanese samurai cinema, the best combat ever seen in a samurai title and the most compelling open world since Red Dead Redemption 2, Ghost Of Yōtei is a jaw-dropping demonstration of Sucker Punch Productions operating at the peak of its considerable powers. Ghost of Yōtei redefines the term ‘must-have’ and wholly validates PlayStation Studios broader approach to embracing single-player epics such as this.
Push Square - Liam Croft - 9 / 10
Building on its predecessor in all the right ways, Ghost of Yotei is an incredible sequel that makes you the ruler of your experience. Player freedom drives its open world, letting you craft the type of game you want to play. With improved combat, a better story, and outstanding use of PS5 features, Sucker Punch has outdone itself and created a follow-up for the ages. Ghost of Yotei is comfortably its greatest work to date.
SavePoint Gaming - Jake Su - 9.5 / 10
For those who loved Ghost of Tsushima, this is essential. For newcomers, it is one of the finest samurai adventures gaming has ever seen. And for everyone, it proves that Sucker Punch remains a studio at the height of its powers. If not for the slight misstep with the targets of our ire, Atsu’s quest would have been a perfect slice of brilliance.
Shacknews - Aidan O’Brien - 9 / 10
In Atsu, we have a haunted protagonist, someone trapped between two states of being. On one hand, the warrior who wishes only to feel the splash of blood upon her face as her blade finds its home in the heart of her enemies. On the other, the young girl who cannot help but wonder who she would get to be if the demons and the flames had never devoured her family on that faithful night. Perhaps, somewhere in the tale of the onryō, there is room for both.
Sirus Gaming - Lexuzze Tablante - 8 / 10
Ghost of Yotei isn’t without its flaws, but its refined and exciting combat, added weapons, great cast of characters, and the beautiful island of Ezo make this game a great successor to Ghost of Tsushima. I still have a few more Tales and Myths to finish, but I would rather play it again from the start in Lethal Mode with a Japanese dub to fully immerse myself in this amazing world that Ghost of Yotei offers.
TheGamer - Stacey Henley - 4 / 5
This is an experience that walks, talks, and carries a customisable sword like every other triple-A game, but it looks damn good doing it, and is a lot of fun. Surely with a game like Ghost of Yotei, that’s all you’re looking for, and Sucker Punch is only too happy to deliver. It’s not the best triple-A game of all time, but it might be the most triple-A game of all time.
TheSixthAxis - Aran Suddi - 9 / 10
Ghost of Yōtei is an excellent game with an engrossing story, a great lead, deep combat and a land that has so much to discover with a lot of details. This is a truly worthy successor to Ghost of Tsushima.
Toisto - Joonatan Itkonen - 5 / 5
Ghost of Yotei is a generational masterpiece, encapsulating everything great about the open world adventure genre. This is a beautifully written and directed saga that stands tall alongside its influences without ever sacrificing the joy of gameplay and discovery at the hands of spectacle. It is one of the best games on PlayStation.
Ghost of Yotei is another high-quality and seriously cinematic PS5 exclusive. It offers few new ideas compared to its predecessor, and the segmented nature of its main campaign makes the story feel repetitive. However, what it lacks in originality it makes up for with brilliantly brutal combat, a sizeable open-world stuffed with distractions and stunning visuals, especially on PS5 Pro.
Too Much Gaming - Carlos Hernandez - 4.5 / 5
Ghost of Yotei is less of an upgrade but a clear testament to Sucker Punch’s true specialty, and a reminder of how powerful an open-world samurai adventure can be. It’s gorgeous, tightly crafted, endlessly absorbing, and a must-play for anyone with a PS5.
Wccftech - Alessio Palumbo - 8.8 / 10
Ghost of Yōtei is a worthy sequel to the already excellent Ghost of Tsushima, building upon that game’s foundation with an equally interesting (albeit quite different) plot and select improvements to combat and open world exploration. It may feel a little too familiar, not to mention similar to the previous game, but that sensation is quickly forgotten amidst all the fun you’ll have in Ezo.
WellPlayed - Adam Ryan - 9.5 / 10
Ghost of Yōtei is an improvement on Tsushima when measured by almost any metric. The beautiful open world is dense and invites exploration, the combat is tighter and more varied, but it’s Atsu’s personal, honest story of revenge and self-reflection that makes this an unforgettable masterpiece.
Worth Playing - Redmond Carolipio - 9 / 10
Ghost of Yotei is automatically one of my favorite games of 2025. It comes at a time when people just want to kick some ass in the most beautiful settings imaginable, and it’s one of the more satisfying plays you’ll find on the PS5. It’s the most fun you’ll have checking off a to-do list.
ZTGD - Ken McKown - 8 / 10
Ghost of Yōtei is another outstanding achievement by the team at Sucker Punch. While I didn’t love it as much as its predecessor, it is still one of the best games to launch this year. Sony continues to push the envelope when it comes to single player experiences. I just wish they would step outside of the template more often. This game hits all the notes I expected, for better or worse, and it suffered at times because of it. It rarely disappointed me, but it also rarely blew my socks off. I wanted to love it more, but it just played some parts too safe to make it stand out.
Protoknuckles@lemmy.world 2 days ago
I’ll pass. They chose to appease Trump over protecting their staff.
original_charles@lemmy.world 2 days ago
What happened?
knowone@slrpnk.net 2 days ago
I just looked it up now seeing as I hadn’t heard of this either
From what I can gather one of the senior members of the development team, Drew Harrison, made a joke in a tweet about Charlie Kirk’s death. Loads of right wingers, being the thin skinned, wannabe victims but apparently “free speech warriors” that they are, harassed her and contacted Sucker Punch trying to get her fired, threatening to boycott the game and so on. Sucker Punch predictably caved and did so
If I’m missing anything, please feel free to add to this. As I say I’m only just hearing about it and haven’t gone on a deep dive about it