Summary
Rather than featuringGhost of Tsushima’s protagonist, Jin Sakai, once more,Ghost of Yoteiwill be led by a new character, Atsu, in an attempt made by Sucker Punch to create a full-blownGhostfranchise as opposed to one story. This ultimately shifts the focus from Jin as the Ghost of Tsushima to the idea of the Ghost instead, where anyone can become the legendary figure. InGhost of Yotei’s case, that person is Atsu, who has been led to Ezo in a story that takes place 300 years after the events ofGhost of Tsushima.
WithGhost of Yoteiintroducing a brand-new protagonist, it will presumably be an origin story of sorts for Atsu, just asGhost of Tsushimawas for Jin. In that case, it would arguably be better off not treading the same path that Jin has already walked to give players a fresh experience and fulfill Sucker Punch’s goal to seeGhost of Yoteiset apart fromGhost of Tsushima.
Atsu’s Origin Story in Ghost of Yotei Needs to Separate Itself From Jin’s
Jin Sakai Was Shunned for Adopting Dishonorable War Practices
While the overarching conflict ofGhost of Tsushimafocuses more on theMongol invasion of Japanand Jin’s efforts to repel it, a prominent part of the game’s narrative involves the internal conflict that takes place within Jin himself. As a samurai, Jin was expected to follow the samurai code, which sees the warriors engaging in honorable battle and facing their foes directly, as opposed to striking them from behind like a criminal. However, Jin’s desperation to see the Mongols driven from his homeland sees him become the Ghost of Tsushima, a stealthy predator who assassinates his enemies from the shadows before they even know that he is there.
This inner conflict stretches all the way to theconclusion ofGhost of Tsushima, where players are required to choose whether to slay Lord Shimura, Jin’s uncle, for an honorable defeat or simply walk away and let him live.
The majority of Jin’s inner moral conflict comes from his uncle, Lord Shimura, who raised Jin from childhood after his father died. Shimura desires Jin to become the honorable samurai he was always meant to be, but Jin quickly realizes he has no choice but to become one with the shadows and gain an advantage, dishonorable as it may be, over his Mongol enemies and free Tsushima Island from their tyranny. Jin’s inner conflict is very clear and present in the earliestchapters ofGhost of Tsushima’s story, but that conflict is rather quickly placed into the hands of players, who can then decide whether Jin will be an honorable samurai, a dishonorable ghost, or a blend of both.
Atsu Will Need a Different Internal Conflict in Ghost of Yotei
Since Jin’s moral conflict has already been done inGhost of Tsushima,Ghost of Yoteiwill want to avoid the same trope if it hopes to realize its dreams of being a separate experience. WithGhost of Yoteitaking place300 years afterGhost of Tsushima, it could mean that enough time has passed for the concept of the Ghost to become more acceptable. As such, it might not make sense anyway for Atsu to struggle with her identity in the same way that Jin did. Instead, based on what has been revealed so far, perhaps Atsu’s internal conflict inGhost of Yoteicould focus on her desire for vengeance instead.
In aninterview with the New York Times, Sucker Punch revealed thatGhost of Yotei’s story is one of “underdog vengeance,” although there are no details yet about what that might entail. Even without details, however, perhaps Atsu’s personal journey could see her conflicted about whether to exact revenge at all, as is the case with protagonists in many other revenge stories. This way,Ghost of Yoteicould follow an entirely different origin story thanGhost of Tsushimaand develop Atsu’s character in the process. In any case,Ghost of Yoteineeds to ensure the identity crisis trope observed byGhost of Tsushimais laid to rest.
Ghost of Yotei
WHERE TO PLAY
Discover a bold, new story of a warrior in Japan who is on a mission of vengeance all her own.Set 300 years after the critically acclaimed Ghost of Tsushima, Ghost of Yōtei is standalone experience set in 1600s rural Japan. The story follows a haunted, lone mercenary named Atsu. Thirsty for revenge, she travels through the beautiful, rugged landscapes of northern Japan, hunting those who killed her family many years earlier.
