Ghost of Yotei

Set in 1603 on the island of Ezo. Modern-day Hokkaido. Ghost of Yotei follows Atsu, a mercenary on a non-linear revenge quest against the 'Yotei Six,' a group of renegade samurai who massacred her people during the 'Night of the Burning Tree.' It's a sequel to Ghost of Tsushima that isn't afraid to be its own thing: new protagonist, new setting, new combat system. The weapon counter system replaces the original's stance mechanic, and the expanded arsenal. Katana, yari spear, kusarigama, odachi. Gives every encounter a tactical layer that Tsushima's combat only hinted at.

The open world around Mount Yotei is breathtaking in a way that makes you forget you're playing a game. Sucker Punch's environmental storytelling has leveled up considerably. Each region has a distinct atmosphere, from snow-choked mountain passes to foggy coastal villages. The wolf companion isn't just a gimmick; it genuinely changes how you approach stealth and exploration. And the photography mode? Still the best in the business, because apparently Sucker Punch understands that half their audience is here for the screenshots.

Where Yotei falters is in its pacing. The non-linear revenge structure means some targets feel more developed than others, and the game occasionally mistakes 'big' for 'deep'. There are stretches where the map feels padded with activities that don't service the narrative. Eurogamer's controversial 3/5 wasn't entirely wrong about the open-world bloat, even if the moment-to-moment gameplay is strong enough to carry through the weaker sections. Also, PS5 exclusive in 2025 is a choice. 3.3 million copies in a month says it worked, but that's a lot of potential players left out.