Sucker Punch Productions has officially set October 2, 2025, as the release date for Ghost of Yōtei, the highly anticipated follow-up to Ghost of Tsushima. The game will launch exclusively on PlayStation 5, bringing players a new protagonist and setting in feudal Japan.
A New Hero Emerges
Ghost of Yōtei introduces Atsu, a female warrior on a quest for vengeance against the “Yōtei Six,” a group of outlaws who murdered her family. The story takes place in 1603 in Ezo (modern-day Hokkaido), roughly 300 years after the events of Ghost of Tsushima.
“Our new hero, Atsu, is somebody you meet early in her life, and this is her origin story, and it’s one of heartbreak,” explains Nate Fox, Co-Creative Director at Sucker Punch. “She suffers a horrible loss in her youth, and then sets off on a quest for revenge.”
The newly released trailer, titled “The Onryō’s List,” shows Atsu’s transformation into a feared warrior known as “The Ghost.” As she hunts down her targets—The Snake, The Oni, The Kitsune, The Spider, The Dragon, and Lord Saito—people start to think she’s more than human. As Fox explains, “They start to think that she is an ‘onryō,’ which is a folk tale ghost that is an unstoppable force for vengeance.”
Expanded Combat and Open World
Building on the foundation of Ghost of Tsushima, the game promises a more varied arsenal of weapons. While the katana remains central to combat, players will also wield dual swords, the heavy ōdachi, and even gunpowder-based weapons.
“We have the benefit of gunpowder being part of the combat mix,” Fox notes. “While the Katana is still the most valuable weapon, having some more opportunities to blow things up is never a bad addition for a video game.”
The game also introduces weapon masters throughout the world who teach players new fighting techniques. “You get to experience what it’s like to grow as a martial artist along with Atsu,” says Fox.
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Ezo offers a larger, more diverse open world than Tsushima, featuring grasslands, snowy tundras, and mountainous regions. Players will have greater freedom in exploration, with the ability to set up campfires anywhere in the world for rest.
“This is the most open game we’ve ever made,” Fox explains. “One of the greatest joys is just getting lost. You let your curiosity guide you through the landscape.”
Jason Connell, the other Co-Creative Director, adds: “It’s just so wild and nature-filled. There’s an opportunity to tell a slightly more wild and rural version of this story than if it was in a major city.”
Editions and Pre-Orders
Pre-orders for Ghost of Yōtei begin on May 2 at 10:00 AM local time. Three editions will be available:
- Standard Edition ($69.99 USD): Includes the base game
- Digital Deluxe Edition ($79.99 USD): Includes in-game bonuses such as The Snake’s armor set, an alternate dye for starting armor, unique horse color, saddle dye, an in-game Charm, gold Sword Kit, and early unlock of Traveler’s Maps
- Collector’s Edition ($249.99 USD): Includes all Digital Deluxe content plus physical items like a replica of Atsu’s Ghost mask, her sash with the names of the Yōtei Six, a replica of the tsuba (sword guard) from Atsu’s katana, coins to play the in-game Zeni Hajiki game, a foldable papercraft ginkgo tree with wolf, and art cards
All pre-orders receive a unique in-game mask and seven PSN avatars featuring concept art of Atsu and each member of the Yōtei Six.
Industry Context
The original Ghost of Tsushima was a major success for PlayStation, selling over 2.4 million copies in its first three days to become the PS4’s fastest-selling first-party original IP. As noted in the Variety article, this success has spawned both a film adaptation in the works at Sony, and an anime series based on the game’s multiplayer mode coming to Crunchyroll.
Ghost of Yōtei’s October 2 release date comes during a busy fall season for gaming. Industry watchers note the timing may have been chosen to avoid potential competition with Grand Theft Auto 6, which Take-Two Interactive has promised for fall 2025 but has yet to announce a specific date.
As Sucker Punch continues to reveal more details about Ghost of Yōtei in the coming months, fans of the original game can look forward to “following the wind once again” when the game releases on October 2, 2025.