Everyone is calling out PlayStation, and for the first time on the right reasons, with their tweet about “Ghost of Yotei“. This time, it’s not the combat that is in the spotlight, but the maps. Yes, maps. Supposedly, the game features a character named Isaburo the Cartographer, who sells maps to other points of interest in the game. This really matters as it indicates that not every encounter in the game must be a face-off worthy of blade-clashing. It can be simply searching, and honestly, it is a vibe.
The tweet alone looks simple, but the responses look entirely different. Some people love it, like Damon From AZ who said: That’s really cool idea! Map innovation at its finest, which in my opinion, is a breath of fresh air. And then there is MAO@Inside-Wa-Japan, who, with their tweet, sheds some light on the situation with: ‘Ghost of Yōtei isn’t just battling. It’s living in the world, exploring, mapping, discovering, and that is what makes it feel real.’ Which in my opinion, is valid. Isn’t that what open world games should be? Not a combat simulator.
Naturally, some drama had to come. SneakySnake2375 started with, “Copying Ubisoft formula?” which—okay, fine—Ubisoft games are infamous for having map towers and icons everywhere. But then KaijuMetal44 answered, “How are they copying when Sucker Punch did Japan first?” referring to Ghost of Tsushima. Which is true, Sucker Punch did the whole feudal Japan thing way before Assassin’s Creed ‘Shadow’ copy was even a thing. So, the argument is muddled: “Who is copying who?” The debate is and it’s very messy.
There is also the other side of Twitter, where the users make pointless comments. Such as LosSantozK, who compares it to mapping GTA Online heist routes but with “more chaos and explosions,” which is… an option. and OnlyOnePacManYBNL talking about selling modded gta accounts that are completely unrelated to the topic. Twitter is a wild place, man. Sometimes you just gotta scroll past.
But focusing on the matters of the game, the map functionality has the potential to really change the game. Instead of question marks being in the same place or a minimap overloaded with icons, you need to find a cartographer and pay him to get maps. It helps make the world seem grounded and physical. You’re not some all-knowing hero who knows the whereabouts of everything; you’re just some person in the world who needs assistance to navigate it, which is very cool. That’s immersion.
Some players are already thinking about the impact this might have on the difficulty settings. AyMoMusic posted, “You should remove the map completely in Lethal/Lethal+ mode,” which… oof. I wouldn’t want to try that either. Relying on landmarks and the sun for navigation sounds kinda cool, and to be fair, pretty hardcore survival.
Still, there’s that feeling a lot of them are missing the point. For instance, SomeAdamGuy52 wrote, “PlayStation is pushing this game hard since it’s not even in the top 10 for pre orders,” which seems like a massive problem. While pre-orders don’t guarantee success, and some games catch on post-launch, like Elden Ring, Ghost of Yotei does have a chance to surprise.
And then there is lampkinator, who says, “Im more interested in legends mode,” and that is quite valid. The Ghost of Tsushima multiplayer was highly praised, so if they are bringing something similar, many players will be interested in it.
The visuals speak for the game too! Ghost of Yotei commented on their tweet with “Game looks absolutely gorgeous 😍💯” and frankly, they are right. The art direction is truly a masterpiece. The trailers and screenshots have been stunning. It is one of the titles where you stop to marvel at the scenery.
Oh darn, I forgot what I was talking about—maps, specifically Isaburo the Cartographer. The game considers more detailed exploration and is moving in a nice direction with the inclusion of Isaburo the Cartographer. Instead of aiming to a marker, the player pursues a map purchased from a virtual character. Many other open-world games tend to miss out on this refined approach.
Just as Lasassindark891 pointed out with a countdown, the release date is fast approaching. The hype is growing, the controversies are ongoing, and everyone is wondering if this will be the next big PlayStation exclusive. Will it meet the expectations of the previous game? Will the map system be as captivating as it sounds? Time will indeed tell. Right now, the game is very much in the public eye, and that in and of itself is a good thing for gaming.
