Ghost of Yotei Finally Solved 1 of the Open World Genre’s Biggest Problems

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Five years after the original, Sucker Punch’s acclaimed open-world game Ghost of Tsushima is here, and it might just fix a major issue with the genre. Instead of constantly directing you with markers, the game encourages you to forge your own path, discovering stories and hidden details as you go. By changing how quests are presented, the game reduces that feeling of simply ticking items off a list – something common in many open-world titles – and allows for more organic and believable exploration.

As a fan, I can tell you that Ghost of Yotei is a really gripping and emotional game, driven by themes of revenge and hopelessness. You play as Atsu, a mercenary who travels across Mount Yotei and the lands of Ezo, on a quest to find the Yotei Six – the outlaws who killed her family when she was young. It feels like a classic underdog story, and it really pays tribute to the great Japanese films of the past. With its beautiful visuals and gameplay that’s seriously hard to put down, Ghost of Yotei feels like it almost nails the open-world experience.

Ghost of Yotei Encourages Players to Explore

A common problem with many open-world games is forcing players to follow a single storyline in a set order. This can make the game feel restrictive, even with a huge world to explore. Ghost of Yotei is different; it lets you hunt the Yotei Six in any order you choose, offering a truly non-linear experience.

You’ll find hints about possible objectives naturally as you play. For instance, people you meet while traveling – like visitors at a campsite – might have useful information, or a wandering monk could teach you a new ability. What sets Ghost of Yotei apart is that the game doesn’t point you towards these characters. The only way to discover what they know is to spend time conversing with them.

Rather than being directed to a particular telescope, players can now use a telescope to survey the landscape for interesting locations, gaining some insight into each area to help them decide where to go. Even better, players aren’t required to select a quest or activity beforehand. They can simply explore the world naturally and allow the story to unfold on its own.

Both games offer a storytelling experience that is adaptable and draws players in, but the Sucker Punch game elevates this even further. Experiencing Ghost of Yotei feels like embarking on a true adventure. Each interaction feels natural, and players consistently find new avenues for exploration.

Ghost of Yotei Doesn’t Make Players Rely On the Wind

Ghost of Tsushima offered players a more immersive way to explore its open world thanks to its wind-based guidance system. By swiping the DualSense touchpad, players could call forth a gust of wind that pointed them towards their next goal. This felt much more natural and less distracting than traditional methods like on-screen arrows or markers, though it still subtly directed players along a predetermined route.

In Ghost of Yotei, players continue to rely on the wind to find their way, but now Atsu receives assistance from her friends. While exploring and setting up camp, characters will frequently come to Atsu’s aid, helping her with her journey. This not only creates engaging interactions, but it also makes the game world feel more vibrant and gives Atsu a compelling story-based reason to travel in specific directions.

Prior to Ghost of Tsushima, Sucker Punch hadn’t created a game of this magnitude, yet they succeeded brilliantly with their initial attempt. Ghost of Yotei builds upon that success in every aspect. It’s a title that stands among only the most exceptional open-world games, and now that Ghost of Yotei has been released, it’s rightfully considered one of the very best.

No game type is flawless, and open-world games will always have some drawbacks. However, it genuinely seems like Ghost of Yotei has overcome at least one of its challenges. The game’s missions don’t feel like a simple list of things to do, which allows players to become fully absorbed in the game’s world. Sucker Punch has done an exceptional job with Ghost of Yotei, and hopefully, other game creators will follow their example.

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2025-10-05 20:46