Well, gamers, better hold on to your hats as Ghost of Yotei spills the beans on the game that Sucker Punch is creating with no half measures: The sequel to Ghost of Tsushima will be an outright upgrade from the original production, and if you thought the first game was good, then you are just in for a treat.
First and foremost: an open world. One of the biggest criticisms of Ghost of Tsushima was that it was breathtaking on the outside but could just feel a little… too repetitive after some time had gone by. Well, Sucker Punch definitely heard that. Ghost of Yotei’s open world is supposed to be less repetitive, more focused on exploration with player-driven experiences. The size of the map is roughly the same as that of Tsushima; \textit{only denser}, to ensure that there are more things to do, secrets to discover, and little blank space just to fill it all up.
On density, the Devs said they didn’t go for the “bigger is better” design philosophy but went for quality and variety instead. So you will be having lots of worthwhile side-content, dynamic encounters, and this whole new memory location mechanic to play with. Oh, did I say jumping in and out of past and present in some areas happens at the push of a button? Without loading screens or cutscenes? Instant time-hopping, just a click away. How freaking cool is that?
I know, right? Snow physics. Now, ridin’ through the flower field cells and being speed-boosted (?) must come with some crazy haptic feedback thanks to Brad and the DualSense. Every slight touch, from sword clashes to brushing against the environment, will feel real.
About the story: Sucker Punch is calling it solid, and some gamers are side-eyeing that statement already. Why? Because some writers from Dragon Age: Veilguard are involved with this production, and for some reason, that just set everyone on full concern mode. Then there’s the voice actor for the protagonist who has all these folks trading side-eye looks. But then, who’s to say?
One argument can’t go away: The Yotei Six. These guys are the big rotten bosses of the game, and no, you can’t kill them in any order you want. Said to be a linear story, which has gotten some groans from the community, especially the category that heard those early rumors that you would be able to fight the bosses in any order they wanted. But hey, at least the open world is rife with optional content, so perhaps you are quite free in how you approach everything else.
Oh, and here’s a little reminder lest we forget: October 2. PS5 exclusive. No PC version. No last-gen treatment.
Now that’s when we chat about the initial reactions; cause, mannnn!, gamers are at each other’s throats about it. Some get hyped for the changes: “New snow physics? SOLD.” Some have already marked it off: “Pass; the protagonist doesn’t speak to me.” And then there’s the whole conversation about the writing team. That feels like an entire thing that’ll last right up to launch.
In any case, at the moment, Ghost of Yotei is gazed upon as being an absolute rollercoaster of an upgrade from Tsushima. Less repetition, much more thoughtful depth, and seriously cool new mechanics. And if the story is gonna hold up? October shall be the testing day.
Till then, keep that hype in check… or don’t. Who am I to tell you how to live your life?
