Elden Ring's Ghost of Yotei Aims for Elite Exploration

Ghost of Yōtei focuses on empowering players to freely explore and uncover the rich culture and breathtaking beauty of Ezo. Continue reading to discover how Sucker Punch has enhanced the game's exploration mechanics and how its length compares to the previous installment.

Focus and Length of Ghost of Yōtei

Advancing Exploration and Combat

Ghost of Yōtei builds upon the foundation of its predecessor, Ghost of Tsushima, encouraging players to immerse themselves in and navigate through feudal Japan. In a July 18 interview with GamesRadar+, Sucker Punch Directors Nate Fox and Jason Connell discussed their approach to deepening the exploration experience in this upcoming standalone sequel.

The directors acknowledged acclaimed open-world titles like Elden Ring and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild as benchmarks for discovery and exploration. These games helped shape Tsushima's core concepts, and Connell confirmed that Yōtei takes these elements even further.

He elaborated, "Our goal was to design new methods for presenting information while keeping the experience accessible. Players have diverse preferences: some prefer following a clear main path, while others have a stronger desire to venture off and explore the world more thoroughly."

Moreover, the game expands its intense combat system by integrating additional mechanics and offering players more strategic options in battle. Fox commented, "With Yōtei, we've added numerous layers to give combat a more improvisational feel. It's incredibly deep! We've swapped the stance system for distinct weapons—including a fifth weapon—and these are not merely cosmetic changes."

One notable addition is the inclusion of firearms. Set 300 years after Tsushima, Yōtei reflects technological advancements, introducing guns into combat. However, Fox clarified that these firearms are "not particularly efficient" and do not diminish the core samurai combat experience. He explained, "Firearms serve a specific role and can be exceptionally lethal when used appropriately. But this isn't Gun Kata, where firearms replace melee weapons. The sword remains central to the fantasy."

Beyond combat and exploration, the game celebrates Ezo's culture and essence. From the mysterious wolf companion to protagonist Atsu's quest to hunt down the Yōtei Six, the team aimed to capture Ezo's serene beauty while maintaining a sense of underlying danger. "Blending natural splendor with hidden threats is our specialty. That dynamic truly brings the game to life, and we're extremely proud of it," Fox stated.

Similar Length to Tsushima

Although Yōtei features expanded content and more world activities, its playtime remains consistent with Tsushima. According to HowLongToBeat, Tsushima's main story takes about 25 hours, extending to around 50 hours for players who complete side quests and exploration. Connell emphasized that while the game offers players considerable freedom, Sucker Punch remains dedicated to delivering a compelling narrative.

He elaborated, "A hallmark of the Ghost franchise is the array of options that let you personalize your experience. We've crafted an accessible game inspired by samurai cinema, and as developers, our challenge is to offer that creative freedom while maintaining a strong, structured storyline."

Ghost of Yōtei Popcorn Bucket Sells Out

In celebration of the game's upcoming release, the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema chain is hosting a "Way of the Samurai" film program, showcasing the classic samurai movies that influenced the Ghost series. Featured films include "LADY SNOWBLOOD," "LONE WOLF AND CUB: SWORD OF VENGEANCE," "THE TALE OF ZATOICHI," "13 ASSASSINS," and "RAN."

Alongside this, Alamomart launched an exclusive Ghost of Yōtei Popcorn Bucket on their website, which sold out instantly. The product description notes, "This intricately designed bucket, shaped like a traditional Japanese rice basket, is the perfect collectible for any aspiring warrior." Priced at $40, the popcorn bucket is currently out of stock, with no word yet on a potential restock.

Although the game's launch is still a few months away, Sucker Punch is eager to share this new experience, emphasizing the cinematic beauty of the samurai genre and the depth of Ezo's culture. Even as the studio shifts focus to continue Tsushima's narrative, they are committed to delivering another masterpiece through Atsu's journey.

Ghost of Yōtei is set to launch on October 2, 2025, exclusively for PlayStation 5. For the latest updates and details, be sure to read our related article below.