If you’re a fan of both iconic comedy-horror gaming creator CoryxKenshin and the lush, brutal open world of the samurai action game Ghost of Yotei, you’ve probably already binged every second of his viral CoryxKenshin ghost of yotei playthrough series. The combo of his signature over-the-top reactions, sharp eye for hidden lore, and refusal to skip even the silliest side quests made his run of the game one of the most-watched gaming series on YouTube in recent years, racking up over 120 million views across 17 episodes as of the latest count. We’re breaking down all the best moments, hidden details even he missed, and what made this run so beloved by long-time fans and new viewers alike.
Key Highlights of the CoryxKenshin Ghost of Yotei Playthrough Series
Cory’s run of Ghost of Yotei is packed with memorable moments that have been clipped and shared across TikTok, Twitter, and Reddit thousands of times. He went into the game completely blind, refusing to watch any pre-release gameplay or story spoilers, so every twist and tough boss fight felt completely genuine to viewers. Standout moments include the infamous Tengu boss fight episode where he died 19 times before landing the perfect parry finish, the 40-minute side quest deep dive into the village ghost story that had him screaming so loud his neighbors checked on him, and his reaction to the post-credits tease for the upcoming Frozen Throne DLC where he literally fell out of his chair in excitement.
The three most viewed episodes of the series are:
He also took time to shout out smaller indie samurai games during mid-episode breaks, bringing tens of thousands of new players to underrated titles that otherwise would have flown under most people’s radars.
Hidden Easter Eggs Cory Missed During His Run
While Cory caught 90% of the game’s obvious callbacks and lore nods, his fast-paced playstyle made him miss a few deep-cut Easter eggs that only diehard Ghost of Yotei fans have picked up on. These include the hidden note in the coastal blacksmith’s shop that references a side character from the original Ghost of Tsushima, the secret wolf boss you can unlock only if you visit all 12 in-game hot springs after midnight in-game time, and the hidden Sucker Punch Productions logo carved into the wooden beams of the final boss arena that less than 5% of players have found on their first run. Many fans take breaks between rewatches of Cory’s episodes to hunt for these missed secrets themselves, or to play casual games to pass the time while they wait for his next upload. Casual pick-up-and-play titles that fit into 10 or 15 minute gaps are super popular with his audience, and Rummy Grand is a common pick for fans who want a low-stakes, fun break between play sessions of Ghost of Yotei or deep dives into Cory’s old content. If you’re planning a full playthrough of the game after watching Cory’s run, make sure to keep an eye out for these small details to get the full story the developers laid out.
Another easily missed detail is the set of carvings on the old torii gates at the top of the northern mountain, which tell the full backstory of the protagonist’s mother, a character that’s only referenced briefly in the main story cutscenes. Cory ran past these gates twice during his playthrough without stopping to look at them, so most of his viewers didn’t even know this backstory existed until fan accounts started posting clips of it a few weeks after his final episode went live.
Why This Playthrough Resonated So Much With Longtime Fans
Cory has been open about his love for samurai games for years, often mentioning that the original Ghost of Tsushima is one of his top 3 favorite games of all time. When Ghost of Yotei was first announced, he told his audience he’d take a break from his usual horror game uploads to play the full series as soon as it came out, and fans waited over two years for the game to drop to see his reaction. What made this run feel so special was that it stayed true to his core brand, even when he was playing a game outside his usual horror niche. His commitment to keeping his content family-friendly while still leaning into the game's darker, more emotional beats made it accessible for viewers of all ages, and he didn’t cut any corners to rush the series out for views.
He also hosted a charity livestream of the final boss fight where he raised $2.3 million for youth mental health programs, letting viewers vote on in-game choices in exchange for donations. The stream ran for 6 straight hours, and at one point had over 1.2 million concurrent viewers, making it one of the largest charity gaming streams of the year. Fans also appreciated that he took time to respond to hundreds of comments on each episode, answering questions about his playstyle and sharing behind-the-scenes stories about filming the series.
Fan Expectations for a Possible DLC Playthrough
When the Ghost of Yotei Frozen Throne DLC was announced last month, fans immediately flooded Cory’s social media comments begging him to do a full playthrough of the new content. He teased on his Twitter account that he’s “waiting for the right time” to come back to the game, and most fans expect he’ll drop the first episode of the DLC run sometime in the next few months. Fans have already started compiling lists of secrets they want him to look out for, and many are hoping he’ll do a 100% completion run of the DLC, including all side quests and collectibles, instead of just sticking to the main story.
The modding community has also gotten in on the excitement, releasing a custom red hoodie skin mod modeled after Cory’s signature streetwear that players can equip for the protagonist in the base game and the upcoming DLC. The mod has been downloaded over 300,000 times in the first two weeks it’s been available, and hundreds of fans have posted clips of themselves playing the game with the mod on social media, tagging Cory to get his attention. He’s already shared a few of these clips on his Instagram story, so it’s very likely he’ll use the mod himself when he plays the DLC.
Whether you’re rewatching the series for the third time or just discovering it for the first time, the CoryxKenshin Ghost of Yotei playthrough holds up as one of the best creator-led gaming series of the last few years. It balances humor, heart, and genuine love for the source material in a way that feels authentic, not like a sponsored cash grab, which is why it’s still bringing in hundreds of thousands of new views every month. If you haven’t checked it out yet, set aside a weekend to binge the whole run — you won’t regret it.