The long-anticipated Ghost of Yotei has finally been revealed, and it’s shaping up to be one of 2025’s most exciting action RPGs. Building on the legacy of its predecessor, this samurai epic brings deeper storytelling, enhanced combat, and a vast open world. With new features and customization options, is this the next must-play PS5 title? Let’s break it down and measure the hype.

Story: A Tale of Loss and Revenge

In Ghost of Yotei, you play as a woman returning to her homeland after fleeing a devastating invasion years earlier. The narrative beautifully blends present-day bounty hunting with emotionally-charged flashbacks of family and betrayal. These seamless transitions between memory and reality give players a unique perspective on grief, loss, and personal justice.

Expect a mature, character-driven story that digs deep into your protagonist’s past, setting a powerful emotional tone for the game.

Gameplay: Enhanced Combat and Weapon Variety

Fans of the first game will feel right at home, but Ghost of Yotei adds meaningful upgrades. The combat system is more fluid and offers far more variety in how you approach fights. You can now adapt your strategy based on your chosen weapon and preferred playstyle — whether that’s going in loud as a warrior or moving silently like a ghost.

New weapons include:

  • Dual katanas for agile slicing
  • Ninja flail for crowd control
  • Pike for long-range thrusts
  • Greatsword to counter heavy enemies

These options give combat more depth and allow you to tailor your loadout to fit your personal approach.

Customization Options: Make It Yours

A standout feature is the expanded character customization system. You can now select from a variety of armor and outfit color schemes, letting you create a look that fits your identity and playstyle. Whether you want to appear as a fearsome warrior, a shadowy assassin, or something unique, you’ll have the tools to do it.

This level of personalization not only adds flair but also increases immersion.

Ghost of Yotei gear customization screen showing female samurai character with dual katanas, charms, and weapon loadouts
Customize your outfit, weapons, and charms in Ghost of Yotei to match your playstyle—from stealth to full warrior.

Smarter Enemies: Adaptive Combat AI

One of the most exciting gameplay additions is how enemy AI has evolved. Enemies are now capable of switching weapons mid-battle, forcing you to stay alert and adapt on the fly.

For example, a foe may start with a katana and then suddenly swap to a spear, changing their attack pattern entirely. This system keeps encounters fresh and unpredictable.

Open World Exploration & Side Missions

As a mercenary, you’ll explore a large, richly detailed open world. Key features include:

  • Binoculars to mark points of interest from afar
  • Bounty missions to hunt down wanted criminals and earn money
  • Sacred calm zones, where you can reflect and upgrade your skills

This freedom to explore, combined with meaningful side content, adds longevity and replayability to the experience.

Samurai walking through a field of blue flowers toward a shrine as black birds swarm the misty sky in Ghost of Yotei.
A hauntingly beautiful moment in Ghost of Yotei as the protagonist approaches a shrine surrounded by blue flowers and a storm of birds.

Conclusion: A Worthy Successor to Ghost of Tsushima?

Ghost of Yotei looks to expand on everything fans loved about Ghost of Tsushima—but with bolder combat, more customization, and deeper emotion. The blend of fast-paced swordplay, smart enemy AI, and open-world exploration creates a game that could stand tall among 2025’s best PS5 exclusives.

The only downside? If you haven’t played the original game, you might miss out on some context—but even then, this sequel seems more than capable of standing on its own.

⭐ Hype Score: 4/5 Stars

If it delivers on its promise, Ghost of Yotei could become a new benchmark for samurai open-world RPGs. Keep this one on your radar.