Ghost of Yōtei, the long-awaited sequel to Ghost of Tsushima, which was released in 2020, has had a smashing debut with over two million copies sold in the first three days after release. But does this samurai action-adventure of vengeance live up to the original? I would say, yes and no. 

Let’s start with what the new game did right. The open world of Ghost of Yōtei is a major shift from its predecessor and revolutionizes the genre as a whole. Instead of the typical list of side activities for you to complete, Ghost of Yōtei is sprinkled with random encounters and quests that you can stumble upon organically. Every individual side activity is unique in some aspect, which not only increases overall immersion but also makes the game much more engaging. The newly introduced camping system encourages exploration as well by allowing players to upgrade their gear on the fly instead of fast traveling back to where merchants are located. Perhaps the most evident improvement in the game are the graphics, which are undoubtedly some of the most advanced that the gaming world has to offer. They are excellently optimized 

as well, maintaining a consistent frame rate, unlike other games, where superior graphics and faster frame rates cannot exist synchronously. The combat system has also improved greatly. The newer animations, coupled with controller vibrations, make combat feel significantly more satisfying and punchy.

The capabilities of the PlayStation 5 controllers are fully used. Along with the dynamic vibrations, there are a variety of motion controls and touch pad interactions during mini games. The duels have also shifted towards a much more varied set of moves among bosses and an overall cinematic feel to the encounters.

So, in what aspects does Ghost of Yōtei not live up to its predecessor? For one, the story is slightly lacking in the emotional depth and complexity that Ghost of Tsushima had.  While it is an exemplary piece of writing on its own, it doesn’t quite match up to the heights of Jin Sakai’s tale.

What is perhaps my most prevalent criticism of the game, however, is pacing. The story is segmented into three chapters, but a significant majority of the game’s content is contained within chapter one. The first chapter is so disproportionately favored that upon its completion, the second and third chapters represent the final six missions of the game.  Comparatively, chapter one features 16 main story missions. I would say this is the only major critique of the game that serves as a detriment.  On its own, the overarching narrative is quite impactful, and nearly every facet of gameplay, graphics, and exploration has experienced positive development. So, when considering all of the above, Ghost of Yōtei is an improvement upon the original, and it is most definitely worth your purchase.