The Peanut Gallery Reviews Ghost of Yōtei
- Josh Aboody
- Dec 29, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
Overall, Ghost of Yōtei is sensational and a worthy successor to Ghost of Tsushima.
Ghost of Yōtei was released for PS5 on 10/2/25
Ghost of Yōtei is a masterpiece. I can’t believe I’m saying this but it is absolutely on par with its predecessor, Ghost of Tsushima. The 94+ hours I spent to obtain the platinum trophy were mostly filled with pure bliss. Whether I was facing off against one of the many challenging bosses, braving a treacherous shrine climb, following a fox to aid his pal, blowing off some steam in a hot spring to increase my health, or liberating an enemy occupied camp…I was having a blast. And that list isn’t even scratching the surface of the available activities.
Mostly Bliss
The reason I say mostly is because this is a surprisingly tough game on lethal mode. Much, much tougher than Tsushima, which I platinum'd on the same difficulty. I died WAY, WAY, WAY, WAY more in Yotei. There is a steeper learning curve than I was expecting. Many of the mechanics are unchanged from the previous game, but there are enough differences that it took me a while to get the hang of things. Even then, the constant pressure from the plethora of enemies you’ll face as formidable protagonist Atsu is overwhelming. I found if I was caught lacking even for a second, the “easiest” of bad guys could put me six feet under. The difficulty isn’t necessarily a knock, but it’s somewhat jarring coming from the significantly easier Tsushima. Once I adjusted, I fared better…for the most part.
Boss Battles
The boss battles are both a major highlight and a source of deep pain for my experience. Along with the main quest big bads, there are a TON of optional fights, and boy do they deliver. There are some truly memorable encounters. Some are epic in scale with explosions and grandeur, while others are close quarter confrontations that had me clawing for every extra inch of space from my opponent’s blade. The end result is the same…pure satisfaction.
Now, there are two fights that added a considerable number of hours to the 94+ I spent on the game. Without these two assholes, I’d wager my total playtime would be under 80 hours. The toughest boss in the game, bar none, is an optional fight that’s unlocked after felling a series of mini bosses. This guy is one of the toughest fights I’ve ever played in any game. He is no joke. The man is a menace. I definitely fought him way too early in the game, but once I finally knocked him off…the feeing was indescribable. The second hardest boss is the final boss in the main storyline. That’s how it should be. A real challenge that makes you earn those closing credits. He forces you to use everything you’ve learned to take him down. It’s a multi-phase encounter that pulls no punches. I had to really empty the tank to cross the finish line.
Ghost of Yōtei Graphics
The graphics are stunning. The jump from PS4 to PS5 worked wonders for the Japanese open world adventure. The elements are breathtaking. Snow falling during a mountaintop showdown? Check. Fire blazing the grasslands during a camp raid? You bet your ass. Leaves drifting down in the background as I make a dicey ledge grab to get one step closer to an altar of reflection? Yes, please. Everything and everyone exudes cinematic excellence. It’s worth noting that more than one encounter gave me chills, not just because of the snow, but because of the resemblance to the Uma Thurman/Lucy Liu duel at the House of Blue Leaves in Kill Bill.
Story/Bonuses
The story is excellent, and the character development is top notch. Once everyone was introduced, I had feelings towards them to some extent. There are no pointless NPCs here. I got emotional more than once. That doesn’t happen too often for me with video games, so that’s an achievement in itself. Atsu is an awesome protagonist and a worthy successor to the legendary Jin Sakai.
The side content provides some of the more memorable moments in the game. I pity those who stick to the main story in this one. They are missing out on some extraordinary material. A few of the mythic tales in particular are jaw dropping.
A Worthwhile Challenge
Overall, Ghost of Yōtei is a sensational game. I appreciate the challenge and the sense of reward that comes with it. I put in a lot of hours to get that platinum trophy. I can say with absolute certainty that I don’t wish I could have any of those moments back. Okay, fine…maybe I’d take an hour (or two) back of getting my ass walloped by Takezo the Unrivaled. I promise that’s a deserved title…
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