A screenshot from Ghost of Yōtei (2025), Sucker Punch

Gamers shared mixed reactions to developer Sucker Punch, a subsidiary of PlayStation Studios, revealing its sequel to Ghost of Tsushima, Ghost of Yōtei, during the recent PlayStation State of Play event.

A screenshot from Ghost of Yōtei (2025), Sucker Punch

In the announcement trailer for Ghost of Yōtei, Sucker Punch keeps the identity of the protagonist hidden until nearly the end of the trailer when it is revealed it is a woman and she is confronted by a wolf.

In a piece in The New York Times written by Zachary Small, who recently collaborated with Ubisoft to attack gamers over Assassin’s Creed Shadows, it is revealed that the character’s name is Atsu.

Small also shared that the story is one of “underdog vengeance” with Jason Connell, one of the game’s Creative Directors sharing that the game will allow players to wield firearms alongside melee weapons.

One seemingly lamented the fact that Sucker Punch was discarding Ghost of Tsushima’s protagonist Jin Sakai, “Imagine hearing about Jin as a legendary folk tale quest.”

Another wrote, “‘Ghost of’ was the best idea to stick with, this way they can tell loads of different stories, from different eras, showing pretty cool characters.”

“So this is set in 1600, turn of the Sengoku Jidai period to Edo, 400 years after Jin Sakai,” wrote dafunk140. “1603 is the establishment of the Tokugawa shogunate and Yōtei is a major mountain in Hokkaido, northernmost island of Japan, which leads me to believe we’ll be able to explore hokkaido. Exciting stuff, lots to explore.”

Another shared, “Jin is literally a ghost now, rip.”

A screenshot of YouTube comments on the Ghost of Yōtei announcement trailer

One person pilloried the game comparing it to Assassin’s Creed Shadows, “Sucker Punch saw AC Shadows and went ‘Aight, hold my Sake.’”

Another offered a similar sentiment, “Ubisoft : We are finally introducing samurais to Assassin’s Creed. SuckerPunch : Here hold my sake* for the second time.”

“Hopefully Jin is still gonna be mentioned in the game, probably as a legend about how a 8 foot tall demon called the ghost beat the mongols out of Japan,” wrote Drifter-while-hungry.

An_riin wrote, “I never expected them to make this IP into an anthology series of different time periods and places in Japan. I think they made the right choice.”

Another shared, “Ainu (Native people of Ezo / Hokkaido) called Mount Yootei with Makkarinipuri or female mountain. And someone mentioned the mountain is believed to have the power to strengthened women’s energy. What a way to choose a scene and protagonist. This is what we call ‘Artists Actually doing their research’.”

A screenshot of YouTube comments on the Ghost of Yōtei announcement trailer

On X, YouTuber Heel vs Babyface wrote, “Ghost of Tsushima was an excellent game. Beautifully presented with wonderful characters and a strong driving narrative. Some of those stories involved people that think or act differently from ourselves. But when told well and in good faith those stories can work well. Ghost of Tsushima was very well received by gamers and the country of Japan; who were so impressed with the respect shown that the western developers were honoured as ambassadors of the island itself. High praise indeed.”

He continued, “I expect Ghost of Yotei to be no different. Sucker Punch have set themselves a high bar in terms of quality and expectation. I trust they want wholeheartedly to follow through on that. Gamers don’t hate female protagonists nor females characters. They hate BADLY WRITTEN characters and stories in general. They hate insincerity and forced ideologies where they shouldn’t fit or belong.”

“I for one am looking forward to this sequel and I expect it to be at the very least of the same quality as it’s incredible predecessor,” he concluded.

 

YouTuber Endymion offered a different reaction writing, “Ghost of Tsushima sequel stars a Japanese woman samurai warrior because of course it does. They can’t help themselves until every franchise that was built on masculinity is replaced by women.”

“Ghost of Yotei is ( hopefully ) a smaller spin off game, but if this is the true sequel & this is the new main character over Jin Sakai, f**k that. So sick of the forced girlboss narrative man,” he concldued.

YouTuber 8biteric also wrote, “Ghosts of Yotei is set to crush Assassin’s Creed Shadows! I’m super excited for it. Some claim that ‘grifters’ are upset it has a female protagonist, but that’s completely off the mark. It’s original story that respects Japanese culture, unlike the forced ‘Yasuke’ narrative.”

 

YouTuber Vara Dark also wrote, “Ghost Of Yotei looks great! Don’t forget the developers of Ghost Of Tsushima became ambassadors for the Island because of the amazing job they did. I have faith in them to deliver another massive W. Hope we see more soon. :)”

 

What do you make of the trailer for Ghost of Yōtei?