Ghost of Tsushima ended up being one of the most beloved outings of the PS4 generation, and so topping the adventures of Jin Sakai was never going to be easy.
And while we think that opinions will likely always be divided on which Ghost title is best, Ghost of Yotei is a superb sequel that both builds on its predecessor, and delivers a slightly different take on samurai cinema.
Yotei's opening doesn't have the bombast of Tsushima's, but it's bold and brutal. Atsu is a main character utterly consumed by contempt for the villains that wronged her young self, and for most of the game, helping her carry out her long-awaited vengeance is horribly satisfying.
But as was the case with Tsushima, it's not all about spilling blood. There are plenty of more mediative moments scattered across Yotei's gorgeous open world, which is designed to carry you from one point of interest to the next in an impressively organic manner.
There's much to see and do throughout the game's wilderness. Variety really is the spice of life this time around, as Atsu can partake in unique bounty hunting quests, train under various weapon masters, track down local legends, bare her bum in a hot spring, and even click with a surprisingly addictive coin-based minigame.
Again, it's the fluidity of the overall experience that we think sets Yotei apart; you're not just following the wind from one objective marker to the next — you're spying landmarks in the distance and being led elsewhere along the way. The sense of exploration is joyous at times.
Yotei isn't a revolutionary sequel, but we don't think it needs to be. Sucker Punch crafted something special with Tsushima, and it was wise to keep that core intact for the follow-up, while also directly addressing broader points of criticism, like repetitive activities and an eventual lack of combat depth.
Speaking of which, Yotei's blood-soaked battles deserve a special mention — especially the boss fights. There are some outstanding duels both in and out of the main story; deadlier combat leads to a notable increase in tension, and so when those parries hit just right, this is some of the most gripping action you'll find on PS5.
It's another cracker from PlayStation Studios, then — and it's only going to get better. Yotei's Legends mode is due out next year, and we're sure Sucker Punch has more to add beyond that. We'll take any excuse to wield Atsu's blade again.