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Ghost of Yōtei is a standalone follow-up in spirit, not a direct story sequel to Ghost of Tsushima. Set more than 300 years later in Ezo—present-day Hokkaido—it follows a new protagonist, Atsu, and brings a different revenge story, weapons, and exploration structure. The games share an open-world samurai adventure foundation, but you do not need to play Tsushima before Yōtei.
How are the stories connected?
Ghost of Yōtei is not a direct sequel to Ghost of Tsushima. The games share the “Ghost” name and broad ideas—an independent warrior exploring feudal Japan—but have separate protagonists and central conflicts. PlayStation’s official FAQ says Jin Sakai does not appear in Yōtei’s main story. Sony’s later Complete Edition announcement notes that Jin is playable in the separate Most Wanted mode, which is distinct from the main narrative.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Ghost of Yōtei PS5 | $53.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Ghost of Yotei (PS5) | $52.95 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Riders Republic PlayStation 5 Standard Edition | $25.95 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Perp The Persistence Enhanced Amélioré(e) Anglais PlayStation 5 | $18.18 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Ghost of Tsushima Director's Cut | $43.80 | Buy on Amazon |
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The gap is also substantial: Sony describes Yōtei as taking place more than 300 years after Tsushima. Tsushima tells Jin Sakai’s story during the Mongol invasion of Tsushima; Yōtei introduces a different era and region rather than continuing Jin’s campaign.
Setting and protagonist: Tsushima versus Ezo
| Feature | Ghost of Tsushima | Ghost of Yōtei |
|---|---|---|
| Setting | Tsushima during the Mongol invasion. | Ezo, around Mount Yōtei in present-day Hokkaido, in 1603. |
| Protagonist | Jin Sakai, a samurai defending his home. | Atsu, a mercenary pursuing the Yōtei Six, the gang that killed her family. |
| Story relationship | The earlier game’s story. | A separate story set more than 300 years later; Jin is not in the main story. |
Sucker Punch announced the year and setting in its September 2024 PlayStation Blog post. Atsu’s journey begins with revenge, but Sony describes the story as one that develops toward healing and redemption. In other words, the premise is not simply a retelling of Jin’s fight in a new location.
#1 Best Overall
- Stunning graphics and gameplay, explore the wild and striking lands around Mount Yotei on foot or horseback. Travel picturesque parts of northern Japan through grasslands, snowy ridges, fields of wildflowers, and more.
- Discover renegade combat, engage in lawless katana combat and battles with adversaires. Train with various sensei as you find and learn to use each new weapon.
- An unconventional story and journey, take in the cultural beauty of Japan, bathe in an onsen, visit shrines to pray, try Sumi-e painting, and so much more.
- Choose your weapon, battle Atsu's opponents as you see fit, with levelled-up dual katanas, odachi, kusarigama and other new weapons.
Exploration and combat: familiar foundations, different choices
Both games are open-world adventures built around a wandering warrior, player-directed exploration, and the landscape. Sucker Punch has described those as continuing design pillars. For Yōtei, the studio also says it put more emphasis on freedom in an untamed wilderness. These are developer-described design intentions, not a measured comparison of how either game plays.
One concrete difference is the structure of Atsu’s pursuit: players can choose which of the Yōtei Six to pursue first. The game also features bounties, weapon sensei, and campfires, alongside new weapons and what the developer describes as more flexible weapon combat. Those additions give Yōtei its own progression and combat options rather than making it a simple continuation of Tsushima.
Rank #2
- Discover a bold, new story of a warrior in Japan who is on her own mission of vengeance.
- Set 300 years after the critically acclaimed Ghost of Tsushima, Ghost of Yōtei is a 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.
- Sixteen years after her family’s death, Atsu’s quest across Ezo brings her to unexplored lands in search of a gang of six outlaws, but she finds much more than vengeance. Throughout her journey, Atsu will discover unlikely allies, and greater bonds than she could have imagined.
PS5 features and current edition contents
Ghost of Yōtei launched for PS5 on October 2, 2025, and was built for that generation rather than released as a PS4 game. Sony lists PS5 Pro support, DualSense haptics, and adaptive triggers among its platform features. These details describe platform support; they do not establish a performance advantage over a particular edition of Tsushima.
There is also important post-launch content. In its August 2026 announcement, Sony said the Complete Edition includes the main game, Ghost of Yōtei Legends, the Echoes of Sekigahara expansion, Most Wanted, and Digital Deluxe content. Sony announced a U.S. price of $69.99 for the Complete Edition and $14.99 for an upgrade for existing owners. Those are announced prices, not a guarantee of today’s price or availability; check the local PlayStation Store for the current listing and regional rollout.
Rank #3
- Battle against over 50 players simultaneously in a massive multiplayer playground.
- Compete in an all-out mass start race—collide, grind, and fight your way to the finish
- Customize your character to show off your style to your friends or show up the competition.
- Bike, ski, snowboard, or wingsuit through a seamless open world in Career mode or multiplayer events.
- Go wild on the heights of iconic US national parks like Yosemite, Zion, and Bryce Canyon.
The same announcement describes Legends cooperative modes for up to four players, with two-player Story missions. Online multiplayer requires internet access, a PlayStation account, and PlayStation Plus. Edition contents and prices can vary by region and listing, so confirm what a specific store edition includes before buying.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which game should you play first?
You can start with either game. Ghost of Tsushima is the natural choice if you want the series’ earlier story and the context for its recurring themes. But Ghost of Yōtei stands on its own: its new protagonist, place, and conflict do not require knowledge of Jin Sakai’s story. Choose based on whether you want Jin’s invasion-era tale or Atsu’s later journey in Ezo.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Beyond war, ancient beauty endures: Roam vast countryside and expansive terrain to encounter rich characters, discover ancient landmarks and uncover the hidden beauty of Tsushima.
- The rise of the Ghost: Seek support from old friends and new unlikely allies to reclaim Tsushima.
- Mud, Blood and steel: challenge opponents with your katana for an immersive Samurai combat experience.
- Become legends together: play with friends or via online matchmaking in a series of two-player story missions or four-player wave-based survival missions in the legends online co-op
- A whole new island to explore: Travel to Iki Island to investigate rumors of a Mongol presence in a brand-new story with deeply personal stakes.
Rank #4
- PS5 Features include raytracing modes and immersive haptic feedback for DualSense
- Use darkness and cover to avoid being overwhelmed by the ship's deadly new inhabitants
- Seek out the weapon fabricators to increase your firepower as you journey deeper, into the dark and terrifying depths, but beware ammo is limited
- Gather materials & schematics for weapon upgrades and suit customizations with buffs
- Harvest DNA material to improve health, toughness and defensive capabilities.Survive an ever changing labyrinth. Each and every expedition into The Persistence will be disorienting and different.Death is just the beginning. Fatal encounters will result in Zimri's consciousness being uploaded into a new cloned body, ready to try again, with any upgraded stats, suits & weapon schematics kept to aid the next attempt to save the ship
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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