If you’re a long-time fan of Sucker Punch’s samurai open world franchise, you’ve probably already heard rumblings about Ghost of Yotei PlayStation details dropping over the last few months. After the massive success of Ghost of Tsushima back in 2020, players have been begging for a follow-up that expands on the beautiful feudal Japanese setting, tight combat, and emotional storytelling that made the first game a modern PlayStation classic. We’ve spent hours combing through official announcements, hands-on previews from trusted gaming outlets, and developer interviews to pull together all the confirmed and rumored info you need to stay ahead of the curve.
Ghost of Yotei PlayStation Exclusivity: What We Know So Far
First off, let’s get the biggest question out of the way: yes, Ghost of Yotei is a timed PlayStation exclusive, just like its predecessor. Sucker Punch is a first-party Sony studio, so it’s no surprise that the game will launch first on PS5, with no confirmed plans for a PC, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch release for at least 12 to 18 months after launch. That means if you want to play the game as soon as it comes out, you’ll need access to a PS5 console. We’ve seen some fan speculation that the game might come to PS4 too, but official statements from Sony have ruled that out, as the studio is building the game exclusively for the PS5’s hardware to take full advantage of its faster load times, 3D audio, and DualSense controller features. You don’t have to worry about missing out on content if you only have a PS5, either: all launch DLC and pre-order bonuses will be available exclusively for PlayStation players first, with no platform-exclusive missions locked behind special editions.
Confirmed Gameplay Features for PlayStation Players
Sucker Punch has shared small snippets of gameplay over the last year, and we’ve pulled together all the confirmed features you can expect when you boot up the game on your PS5. Many of the core mechanics from Ghost of Tsushima are returning, but with major upgrades that make the most of the PlayStation hardware. Key confirmed gameplay features include:
If you’ve spent hours mastering the combat in the original Ghost of Tsushima, you’ll feel right at home with the core loop of Ghost of Yotei PlayStation, even with all the new upgrades tailored for the PS5 hardware. We’ve also heard rumors from previews that the game will have a much larger skill tree than the first entry, with separate paths for combat, stealth, and traversal that let you customize your playstyle far more than you could in Ghost of Tsushima. The devs have also confirmed that the photo mode that made the first game so popular with content creators is returning, with far more features designed to show off the game’s stunning snowy landscapes.
How the Story Ties to the Original Ghost of Tsushima
Many players were worried that Ghost of Yotei would be a full reboot with no connection to Jin Sakai, the protagonist of the first game, but official story teases have confirmed that’s not the case. The game is set 300 years after the events of Ghost of Tsushima, during the Edo period, so Jin won’t be the main playable character, but his legacy looms large over the entire story. The new protagonist is a member of a disgraced samurai clan who travels to Hokkaido to uncover the truth behind a series of mysterious deaths linked to the legend of the “Ghost of Yotei”, a mythic figure said to roam the slopes of Mount Yotei. Sucker Punch has hinted that long-time fans will find plenty of Easter eggs that reference the events of the first game, including locations, items, and even nods to popular side characters from Tsushima. You don’t have to have played the first game to understand the story of Ghost of Yotei, but we highly recommend going back and playing it first if you can, as the callbacks will hit far harder if you know the original story.
It’s clear that Sucker Punch is prioritizing the experience of long-time PlayStation fans who fell in love with the franchise on the PS4, while also making Ghost of Yotei PlayStation accessible for new players who might be picking up the series for the first time on PS5. The devs have also confirmed that the game will have multiple endings, based on choices you make throughout the story, so your decisions will directly impact how the legend of the new Ghost unfolds. One thing to note: there are no plans for cross-save support between Ghost of Tsushima and Ghost of Yotei, since the games are set hundreds of years apart and have no overlapping playable characters. That means you won’t be able to carry over any of your old gear or save data from the first game, even if you have it installed on your PS5.
Tips for Preparing for the Ghost of Yotei PlayStation Launch
We don’t have an exact release date yet, but Sony has confirmed the game is launching sometime in the next 12 months, so now is the perfect time to start preparing if you want to play as soon as it drops. First, if you don’t already have a PS5, you might want to start keeping an eye out for bundle deals, as we expect demand for the console to spike once the official release date is announced. You don’t need to buy any special accessories to play the game, but we do recommend picking up a DualSense Edge controller if you can, as the customizable back buttons and trigger locks will give you a huge edge in fast-paced combat encounters. If you’re planning to pre-order the game, we suggest waiting for the official pre-order details to drop before you buy from any third-party sellers, as there have already been reports of fake pre-order listings popping up on unofficial storefronts.
It’s also a good idea to clear up space on your PS5’s SSD now, as early estimates say the game will take up at least 120 GB of storage space, which is larger than the original Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut. You can also join the official PlayStation community groups for the game to get early access to beta tests, if Sony decides to run any before launch, and to connect with other players who are excited for the release. Don’t forget to keep your PS5 system software updated too, as Sony often releases performance patches ahead of big first-party launches to make sure games run smoothly on day one.
At the end of the day, Ghost of Yotei PlayStation is shaping up to be one of the biggest first-party releases for the PS5 in the next few years, and it’s easy to see why players are so excited. From the stunning snowy open world to the upgraded combat and emotional story, it builds on everything that made the first game a hit while adding new features that make the most of the PS5’s hardware. We’ll keep updating this guide as more official details drop, so you can stay up to date on all the latest news, gameplay reveals, and pre-order information as it becomes available. If you have any questions about the game that we didn’t cover here, feel free to drop them in the comments section below.