Sucker Punch has shared new details about Ghost of Yōtei, offering a deeper look at its world, structure, and story ahead of its October 2, 2025 launch on PS5.
In a new Famitsu interview, co-creative directors Nate Fox and Jason Cornell revealed that Ghost of Yōtei will feature a non-linear campaign, allowing you to hunt down the Yōtei Six in any order you choose. They also touched on Atsu’s journey of revenge, the team’s research into Ainu culture, and how the project draws inspiration from both Japanese cinema and Western dramas.
If you missed the original announcement for Ghost of Yōtei, including its first trailer and pre-order details, you can catch up here. These new insights show how Sucker Punch is expanding its open-world formula with a bigger map, more freedom, and a sharper emotional focus.
Here’s a closer look at everything revealed so far.
A Non-Linear Path to Revenge
Ghost of Yōtei centers on Atsu’s personal mission to hunt down the Yōtei Six, a group responsible for the tragedy that shaped her childhood. Sucker Punch confirmed that you won’t have to follow a set order when pursuing your targets. Instead, you’ll choose which member of the Yōtei Six to track down first, shaping the story’s path based on your decisions.
Atsu’s sash will play a key role in tracking progress, displaying the names of the Yōtei Six as you move through her journey. It’s a small but meaningful detail that ties into the game’s focus on personal revenge and reflection.
Sucker Punch describes this as their most open world yet, giving players more freedom than anything they’ve built before. It’s a noticeable shift compared to the structure of Ghost of Tsushima, giving Ghost of Yōtei a different kind of pace and rhythm.
Ezo’s Setting and Ainu Cultural Research
Ghost of Yōtei’s setting takes place in Ezo, the region now known as Hokkaido. Sucker Punch’s co-directors revealed that they visited Hokkaido themselves to research the landscape and history firsthand. Their trip also focused on learning about the Ainu people—the Indigenous culture of northern Japan during the game’s era.
The team worked with advisors to ensure that the Ainu culture would be portrayed respectfully. They visited museums, studied traditional crafts, and even spent time picking wild vegetables in the mountains alongside cultural experts. It sounds like the studio is approaching Ghost of Yōtei’s worldbuilding with a similar care and attention to detail as they did for Ghost of Tsushima.
While the main story remains fictional, this level of research should help bring a greater sense of authenticity to Atsu’s journey across Ezo.
New Combat Details and Inspirations
Ghost of Yōtei will bring new close combat options to the series, expanding beyond the katana-based fighting style from Ghost of Tsushima. While exact details weren’t shared yet, Sucker Punch confirmed that Atsu will have new weapons designed for tight, fast-paced battles.
The developers also spoke about where they’re pulling inspiration from. Japanese cinema remains a big influence, especially period dramas and revenge stories. But this time, Western dramas are also helping shape the game’s tone and pacing. It sounds like Ghost of Yōtei will lean even more into character-driven storytelling, blending intense action with quieter, personal moments.
This mix of influences, combined with the expanded close combat systems, points to a game that should feel familiar yet noticeably different from Jin’s journey in Ghost of Tsushima.
A Bigger, Freer World for a New Story
Sucker Punch confirmed that Ghost of Yōtei features the largest open world they’ve ever built. Set in Ezo, the map offers more freedom and exploration than anything in their past games. You’ll have full control over where to go, who to pursue, and how Atsu’s story unfolds.
The team also made it clear that research played a major role in shaping this world. They worked closely with advisors to respectfully incorporate elements of Ainu culture and history, visiting Hokkaido and studying the region’s traditions and landscapes. It’s another layer of authenticity aimed at making Ezo feel like a living, breathing place.
With its non-linear structure, expanded combat options, and deeper focus on personal storytelling, Ghost of Yōtei is shaping up to be a meaningful next step for Sucker Punch.
Ghost of Yōtei launches October 2 on PS5. Are you planning to take up Atsu’s quest for revenge this fall?
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