Ghost of Yotei’s female protagonist, Atsu, sparks backlash from “fans” crying “woke,” but gaming history proves them wrong.

ghost of yotei, jin sakai, red dead redemption

The recent reveal of Ghost of Yotei, the highly anticipated sequel to Sucker Punch’s 2020 hit Ghost of Tsushima, has been met with excitement from fans eager to return to the beautifully designed world of feudal Japan.

However, amidst the hype, a vocal minority has emerged, criticizing the game for its decision to introduce a new female protagonist, Atsu, instead of continuing Jin Sakai’s story.

Image of Ghost of Yotei female protagonist Atsu, cleaning blood off her katana.Atsu in Ghost of Yotei. | Image Credit: PlayStation/YouTube

But before we grab our pitchforks and join the angry mob, let’s take a step back and consider the bigger picture. Is a change in protagonist really a death sentence for a sequel, or are these knee-jerk reactions simply a case of misplaced outrage?

The Red Dead Redemption Effect

To put things into perspective, let’s look at another critically acclaimed series that dared to switch things up: Red Dead Redemption. When Rockstar Games announced that Red Dead Redemption 2 would feature a new protagonist, Arthur Morgan, instead of the beloved John Marston from the first game, some fans were skeptical.

But what happened when the game finally released? Arthur Morgan quickly became one of the most beloved video game characters of all time, with many fans even preferring him to John Marston. The change in protagonist didn’t diminish the game’s success; if anything, it added depth and nuance to an already rich narrative!

So why are these “fans” so quick to dismiss Ghost of Yotei‘s Atsu based on a single announcement trailer? As one astute Twitter user pointed out, the knee-jerk reaction to a female lead seems to stem from a misguided notion of “wokeness”:

It’s a sentiment that, unfortunately, seems all too common these days. As another user lamented:

It’s a tired argument that’s been trotted out time and time again, and frankly—it’s getting old.

Trusting in Sucker Punch’s Vision

A scene from the Ghost of Yotei announcement trailer shows protagonist Atsu on horseback at night.Any true fan will be nothing but ecstatic after watching the trailer. | Image Credit: PlayStation/YouTube

Rather than jumping to conclusions, perhaps we should have faith in Sucker Punch‘s creative vision. In a recent PlayStation Blog post, the studio shed some light on their decision to introduce a new protagonist:

To create something fresh but familiar, we looked beyond Jin Sakai’s story and the island of Tsushima, and shifted our focus to the idea of the Ghost instead.

At Sucker Punch we love origin stories, and we wanted to explore what it could mean to have a new hero wearing a Ghost mask, and uncovering a new legend.

This, most definitely, isn’t a decision made lightly or for the sake of “wokeness.” It’s a creative choice driven by a desire to explore new stories and expand the world of Ghost of Tsushima in meaningful ways. And let’s not forget—this is the same studio that gave us Jin Sakai in the first place.

If they could create such a compelling and nuanced character once, who’s to say they can’t do it again with Atsu?

As for those still clinging to the idea that a female protagonist is somehow a detriment to the game, perhaps it’s time to reevaluate those biases. After all, as one Twitter user humorously pointed out:

The gaming landscape is evolving, and with it, so too are the stories and characters we encounter. Rather than dismissing Ghost of Yotei‘s Atsu based on her gender, let’s embrace the opportunity to experience a new perspective in a world we’ve come to love.

Who knows? Maybe, like Arthur Morgan before her, Atsu will become a fan-favorite in her own right. Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure: the haters should at least give her a chance before writing her off.

What do you think about the backlash surrounding Ghost of Yotei‘s new protagonist? Are you excited to see what Sucker Punch has in store for Atsu’s story, or do you think the series should have stuck with Jin Sakai? Let us know in the comments below!