By Javier Picazo Feliú
Madrid, Oct 1 (EFE).- What happens when Akira Kurosawa’s samurai epics collide with Quentin Tarantino’s stylized violence?
The answer is “Ghost of Yotei,” a PS5 exclusive that fuses classic Japanese cinema with modern video game storytelling in a revenge-driven open world.
“We are fans of ‘Kill Bill.’ It’s a magnificent example of how a revenge plot drives a story, you instantly know what the protagonist wants, her goals, and the obstacles ahead,” Nate Fox, creative director at Sucker Punch, told EFE in an interview.
Set to release Thursday (Oct. 2), “Ghost of Yotei” is a conceptual continuation of 2020’s acclaimed Ghost of Tsushima.
But this time, the action moves north to Hokkaido, spanning both the present day and 1603, at the dawn of the Edo period. The story follows Atsu, a young woman determined to avenge her murdered family.
A spirit seeking revenge
Visually, the graphics, lighting, and colors are ultra-realistic, with scenes that look as if they were taken directly from a film, crafted with a unique and consistently surprising aesthetic. This technical perfection results in one of the best open worlds of the new generation, where the player truly feels free.
Atsu (meaning “heat” in Japanese), a representative of the Ainu culture of Hokkaido, known for its deep respect for nature and animals, is accompanied by a wolf that is far more than a visual companion. The wolf actively intervenes and assists in battles, functioning as an upgradable character in its own right.
“We have advisors and support from Sony colleagues in Japan to ensure authenticity in the use of language and the accurate representation of religion, clothing, and other cultural elements,” the creative director explained.
One of the central figures is a female character embodying the Onryo, a ghost, usually a woman, consumed by resentment and driven solely by revenge, deeply rooted in Japanese folklore.
From the tutorial onward, Atsu will, in pure “Kill Bill” style, creates a list of assassins to eliminate across a map centered around Mount Yotei, a real 1,900-meter volcano strikingly similar to the iconic Mount Fuji.
The controls are intuitive, and mastering the protagonist’s movements is not difficult. The PS5 DualShock controller is used to great effect, with the game making the most of its touchscreen (for drawing or playing instruments), as well as its light and color feedback.
“Video games are visual, you see and hear the world,” Fox said, adding when a player actually feels it, the action comes alive. “Feeling the clash of swords through the controller makes it immersive. It’s all about total immersion.”
Throughout the journey, even the wind becomes a guiding presence, helping players find their next objective, while shifting weather conditions heighten the atmosphere.
Violence, though explicit, is portrayed with both elegance and ruthlessness. The game revels in a kind of aesthetic romanticism through its use of blood, especially striking against snow, which appears often as an artistic element.
“We wanted to create an open-world game where players decide what they want to do. The developers are not in control. It’s the player who, guided by their own curiosity, shapes the journey. That is something very beautiful,” the creative director noted. EFE
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