Ghost of Yotei

Tighten your parry, switch between four combat stances, and hunt samurai lords across Mt. Yotei's autumn forests.

Last reviewed: August 5, 2026

Released Oct 2025 Action / RPG

Stance duels run deeper than Tsushima's and the 30-hour campaign never pads — worth it unless slow late-game traversal is what ends playthroughs for you.

8.7 /10

Strong

Previously an Editor's pick

For you if

You want a samurai fantasy with a slower, more deliberate combat system.
You're okay with a 30-hour campaign and want a cinematic story.
You loved the stance system in Ghost of Tsushima and want more.

Not for you if

You're looking for a fast-paced, action-heavy experience.
You dislike open-world games with lots of side content.
You prefer shorter, linear games over sprawling epics.

What players love

The stance-based combat's depth keeps 50-hour fans engaged, each duel teaching a new approach.

What frustrates them

Late-game climbing sections frustrate even devoted players, with slow traversal testing patience.

See the reviews behind this →

What critics say

3/5Eurogamer
Sequel offers great swordplay and storytelling, but would be better as a linear game
Chris Tapsell Read review →
8/10IGN
Well-executed story through gorgeous landscapes with satisfying, fluid action
Michael Higham Read review →
9.3/10Game Informer
Does not radically reinvent what worked in Tsushima, because mechanics were nailed first time
Kyle Hilliard Read review →

Before You Play

Refreshed monthly

What's the best build for new Atsu in Ghost of Yotei?

For a first playthrough, the Undying Samurai build is the most forgiving — the Armor of the Undying triggers stat bonuses on each action and widens your Perfect Parry/Dodge timing windows, which matters when learning enemy patterns. Pair it with the katana (the most balanced moveset and effective against sword-wielding enemies) and rotate to the Kusarigama for shield-bearers and the Tanegashima Matchlock for armored opponents. Weapon alignment — matching your weapon to the enemy's — is the core mechanic; ignore it and combat gets brutally hard fast.

Source: GAMES.GG Best Builds Guide

What difficulty should a new Ghost of Yotei player choose?

Ghost of Yotei has five preset difficulties plus a customizable option. Higher difficulties don't bloat enemy HP — they tighten parry/dodge windows, increase enemy aggression, and make stealth harsher. Normal is the recommended starting point unless you've cleared Ghost of Tsushima on Lethal; in that case, jump straight to Lethal here. Lethal is available from the start (unlike Tsushima, which gated it), so you don't need to "earn" it through Normal first if you want maximum challenge immediately.

Source: Game8 Difficulty Settings

Are any side quests or content missable in Ghost of Yotei?

Nothing — Ghost of Yotei has no permanently missable collectibles or trophies. After the main story credits roll, the world stays open in free-roam, and every Side Tale, Bounty Quest, Mythic Tale, Sensei Tale, and collectible remains accessible. Plan to roll credits at your own pace and clean up the rest after; the game's structure explicitly supports it.

Source: Game8 Missables List

Do I need to play Ghost of Tsushima before Ghost of Yotei?

No. Ghost of Yotei is set 300 years after Ghost of Tsushima with a brand new protagonist (Atsu, a vengeance-driven ronin), a different region (Hokkaido / Yotei mountain), and a fully self-contained story. The "Ghost" framing carries over thematically, but no plot beats from Tsushima are required for context. If you played Tsushima you'll appreciate the gameplay evolution (multiple weapons mid-combat, refined stealth), but newcomers lose nothing structurally.

Source: Game Rant Tsushima Prerequisite

Is there content to do after beating Ghost of Yotei?

A lot. The base game alone has 119 total quests across Main Tales, post-story Endgame Tales, Mythic Tales, Sensei Tales, Side Tales, and Bounties — most accessible after credits in free-roam. New Game Plus (added in the November 2025 update) carries forward all your skills, weapons, and abilities while bumping every difficulty up a tier, and adds harder difficulty options, two new trophies, a new currency (Ghost Flowers), and a vendor (Masujiro the Melodious) selling 30+ new cosmetics, 10+ charms, and additional armor sets.

Source: Game Rant Post-Game Guide