In one dramatic reveal, Sony PlayStation unveiled a brand-new action-adventure game, Ghost of Yōtei, on State of Play, setting an October 2 release date for PS5. The gorgeously made trailer displays Atsu teaming up with a strange wolf and other allies to slay their enemies in what could very well be a breathtaking open-world setting. While the players and critics seemed excited about it, the announcement set off, let’s just say, some heated arguments in the replies.
Starting with: the good. It looks like the game will be set in a world somewhat inspired by feudal Japan, much as Ghost of Tsushima did. Players would control Atsu, a female samurai constantly alive to peril and intrigue, and one assumes with a loyal wolf by her side. Further trailer reveals showed combat mechanics that mix martial arts with some superpowers, and judging from what was shown, the wolf isn’t merely for show; it looks like it will play a big role in both traversal and combat. One player, @All_Rounder_MC, wondered if the wolf could drag bodies away after stealth kills, adding a neat layer of strategy to the gameplay experience.
There are others that do not hold the same opinion. The revelation has ignited somewhat passionate discussions, some even going as far as dismissing the entire thing as “woke” for simply having a woman as the main character. Comments like the rude, “Looks super woke” from @squonyx or the declaration from @Wow_canyou_not that they “won’t buy gender-flipped sequels” littered the place, almost paving the way for more opposition to rise. On the other side, @juantohomer sarcastically asked if Tomb Raider and Kill Bill were also “woke” for having female protagonists. Things got rather nasty to the point @kart_monkey was forced to just state, “Everybody in this comment section is a miserable loser.”
And now there is the wolf. That wolf, I say with great emphasis. Some players are quite sure that it’s way more than just a mere companion-theories range from it being Jin’s reincarnation (shoutout to @SmokeDangCP for that wild take) to it being connected to a skill tree upgrade system. Others like @citizenkang77 hope for more animal allies, or maybe bears, foxes, and falcons could join in the action. Honestly? A samurai leading a bear squad sounds like a guaranteed Game-of-the-Year candidate.
Beyond the drama, another huge party is all hype. “@KuroNoYaiba97 called it their “3rd Day 1 buy for 2025,” saying that all games set in Japan never disappoint.” Meanwhile, “@Honest_Guardian is so hyped to get into the story of a “female samurai warrior,” so not everyone is stuck on… whatever the opposite of “woke” is supposed to be.
Now with the October release, the Ghost of Yōtei is already poised to become one of the most sought-after PlayStation exclusives of this year-ever. Whether it is for the wolf or the combat or just to sit back and watch the Twitter altercations, this is a game that is making waves even before its launch. Much of the noise can be blamed on having way too much time on our hands, namely because we went ahead and started piecing together if the wolf had its own tragic backstory. Because… admit it, it totally does.
If you’re interested in more action-adventure games, there are plenty of exciting titles to explore!
