The release that dominated October 2025 was Ghost of Yōtei, Sucker Punch’s follow-up to Ghost of Tsushima. It was released for PS5 on 2 October, and although it received mostly positive reviews, there was one notable reviewer who was dissatisfied with the game.
A revenge story set in Ezo
This instalment takes place in Ezo (now known as Hokkaido) in 1603. The protagonist is Atsu, who returns to Ezo sixteen years after her family was killed by the outlaws the Yōtei Six, led by Lord Saito, to hunt them down one at a time. Each region of the map opens up one by one, each tied to a single target. Instead of Tsushima’s stances you can switch between the following weapons: katana, dual-wielding swords, spear, chained kusarigama and heavy odachi. For longer range there are muskets and flintlock pistols.
What critics praised
Combat drew the most praise. IGN’s reviewer scored it 8/10, calling the fighting some of the most fluid in any open-world game and Atsu a far livelier lead than Jin. The reviewer found the story predictable, but a few bittersweet scenes won them round. Push Square went further with a 9/10. It praised a map covered in fog of war that you fill in by exploring, and it called the game the studio’s best work yet.
Where it falls short
Eurogamer was the notable holdout at 3/5. Chris Tapsell liked the sharper swordplay and Erika Ishii’s performance as Atsu. Tapsell’s complaint was that the game holds your hand constantly, from climbing prompts to puzzles that solve themselves, while its side quests repeat the same dull pattern Tsushima was criticised for in 2020. In Tapsell’s view, a linear action game would have suited this material better.
Critic scores and details last checked in September 2026.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Release date | 2 October 2025 |
| Platforms | PlayStation 5 |
| Developer | Sucker Punch Productions |
| Publisher | Sony Interactive Entertainment |
| Critic score | 87 Top Critic Average on OpenCritic, 94% of critics recommend (as of Sep 2026) |
Verdict
Ghost of Yōtei is a better version of Ghost of Tsushima, not a new direction. It has the same striking scenery and close-up fights, and a lead character with a lot more bite. The open-world padding and the endless hand-holding haven’t gone away. If you enjoyed Tsushima, it’s an easy recommendation. If Tsushima’s formula wore thin for you, Eurogamer’s reservations are worth reading first.
Quick questions
How long is Ghost of Yōtei?
The main story takes roughly 30 hours, according to IGN. Side content adds a good deal more, and IGN’s reviewer mentions one optional superboss that took over an hour of retries on its own. Skill points come from shrines and optional quests, so expect to leave the main path fairly often.
Do I need to play Ghost of Tsushima first?
No, because the sequel is set more than 300 years after Tsushima and has a new lead and a new cast. So there is no story carried over from the first game. What remains from the first game are the core systems of the game: follow the wind, standoffs, and climbing up shrines.
Does Ghost of Yōtei have multiplayer?
Yes, but it was single-player at launch. The free online co-op mode, Legends, with various character classes, and also a survival mode, was added to the game in March 2026. A solid free update for players who own the game already, according to the critics.
More Review of the Month: Next pick: November 2025, Europa Universalis V
Related guide: PEGI Age Ratings Explained: A Guide for UK Parents
