If this is your first time playing Ghost of Yōtei, get ready for a mix of samurai stories, revenge dramas, and open-world exploring. This tutorial gives new players a good start by telling them what to expect, how to make sensible choices early on, and how to get off to a good start.
Sucker Punch Productions developed Ghost of Yōtei, which Sony Interactive Entertainment published in 2025. It is a sequel to Ghost of Tsushima that takes place in the northern part of Ezo (now Hokkaidō) in 1603, around 300 years later.
You play as Atsu, a lone mercenary who is plagued by her past and wants revenge on the “Yōtei Six,” the individuals who killed her family a long time ago. Ghost of Yōtei lets you pick when and where to fight bosses or do side quests, unlike linear stories.
Before You Start: Key Things to Know
1. Play Style Flexibility
You’re not forced into one approach. You may lean into:
- Stealth/assassination
- Direct confrontations/swordplay
- Ranged / mixed weapons
Because of this flexibility, early choices in weapon proficiencies or upgrades can shape how your experience feels.
2. Weapon Diversity & Mastery
Some of the weapons confirmed or highlighted:
- Katana (including dual wield)
- Ōdachi (long sword)
- Kusarigama (chain + sickle)
- Tanegashima (firearms)
- The grappling hook (kaginawa) returns
Try out different weapons early on to find the one that feels best for you. Don’t forget about “weaker” weapons, as they might be very useful in certain situations.
3. Modes & Cinematic Options
One of the standout features is selectable visual/audio modes, which change how the game “feels”:
- Kurosawa Mode (classic black & white, wind, mood)
- Miike Mode – tighter camera, more visceral detail
- Watanabe Mode – lo-fi / chill soundtrack for exploration focus
These modes are optional, so you can pick one that best suits your taste or swap depending on mission type.
4. Exploration & Environmental Hazards
The area around Mount Yōtei is rough and hard to anticipate. Expect the weather (snow, rain, wind) to make it harder to see and move around. You may set up camp, cook, and sleep outside. Some “side content” comes back from Tsushima, such as soaking in an onsen, cutting bamboo, and other small pastimes.
5. Approach the Yōtei Six Strategically
Start with a target whose guards and terrain you can safely investigate. Do side quests and bounties to get better gear and skills first. Don’t stick with one plan excessively in case a fight is too hard too early, switch it around.
6. Expect Some Rough Edges at Launch
Even early reviews flag that while Ghost of Yōtei is ambitious and mostly polished, there are common issues:
- Pacing problems in sidequests or repetition in quest types
- Occasional bugs or performance hitches (especially on cinematic modes)
- Some critics note that the open world, while beautiful, can feel “empty” or underutilized in spots
What You Shouldn’t Do (Pitfalls to Avoid)
- If you try to fight a Yōtei Six boss too soon, you can get overwhelmed if you don’t have the right upgrades.
- If you completely ignore side content, you’ll miss out on valuable upgrades, experience, and plot depth.
- Being rigid with one weapon can make things harder. Instead, try to be flexible.
- Not using cinematic modes, as sometimes sound or visible signals are more important than style.
- Don’t spend too much time in weak areas, and try to be conscious of the difficulty levels in each place, as some are safe, whereas some are traps.
Ghost of Yōtei is an innovative revenge story with samurai action and an open-world concept that lets you do what you want. As a beginner player, you should focus on exploring, making small improvements, and letting your playstyle change naturally.
