Ghost Of Yotei Moving On From Jin Sakai Seems Like The Right Decision

Ghost of Tsushima is a history-maker, and I’m not saying this just because it’s a flat-out masterpiece with some of the best in-game visuals and storytelling I’ve ever seen, but also it quite literally made Japanese history a genre. The action-adventure came out about 4 years ago in 2020 and has raised the bar for what’s possible and what’s not in a fully fleshed-out open-world thriller. 

Now, however, almost half a decade later, Sucker Punch Productions has pulled the curtains on its next mainline project—Ghost of Yotei—during September 24’s State of Play showcase, which gave players insights into numerous high-firing IPs and other exciting updates as well. While other games were shown, it’s safe to say that Sucker Punch stole the show outright. 

Ghost of Yotei looks like an ambitious new venture that will certainly put us players through our paces, but here’s a common pain point that seems to be going around ever since the title was revealed — it does not have Jin Sakai, the protagonist of the first game Ghost of Tsushima.

Now, that’s not a bad thing, not at all. I’ve put together a piece here trying to go over why Sucker Punch leaving Jin behind and moving on to pursue more stories is actually the better choice, and why fans should dive into Ghost of Yotei with an open mind. 

Jin Sakai’s Story Ended With Tushima’s Liberation 

As exceptionally gripping and tumultuous Ghost of Tsushima’s mainline plot turns out, it goes without saying that Jin Sakai ends up achieving what he wanted to when he has to become the titular Ghost right after he gets his homeland snatched away from him. That is, of course, exempt from the final showdown with Lord Shimura — Jin’s uncle — whose fate rests in the hands of the player. 

But right there and then following the epic epilogue of the action-adventure, you’re going to be drifting off in the sun, laying waste to whoever Mongol left roaming the gorgeous island of Tsushima, Japan. Point is, and please be wary of the fact that major story spoilers are going to follow from here on out, Jin driving out Khotun Khan — the antagonist — and all pertinent survivors from his own land is his mission statement. 

At the very end, Jin does that, so where does the story go from there on out? Pretty much nowhere. The protagonist’s status and legendary persona are cemented in video game history already, but setting up a sequel along that route would be tremendously difficult in terms of retaining the same quality level or perhaps even going beyond it. 

Of course, having played the title for an unhealthy number of hours, I do realize that Jin’s ending did see the Shogunate now hunting him in Japan for breaking the samurai code of honor, but what Sucker Punch has done here just might turn out to be even better. 

A World Of New Possibilities 

The reveal trailer of Ghost of Yotei features a number of matching similarities with regard to Ghost of Tsushima, but that is hardly my take at the moment. Sucker Punch, due to the onset of this new title, has attempted to deliver on a new front, one where people won’t feel alienated playing the new game because its fundamentals i.e. the story and protagonist have been switched up for the better. 

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 led us to Ghost of Yōtei: a new protagonist, a new story to unfold, and a new region of Japan to explore,” says Andrew Goldfarb, Sucker Punch’s Senior Communications Manager. 

In Sucker Punch We Trust 

In all fairness, Sucker Punch could create a game around a piece of wood, and people — myself included — would still jump to get it because, yes, this developer is that good. There’s not a speck of doubt about whether the studio will be able to meet expectations, because we already know it will.

For those not in the know, Sucker Punch has worked on a number of top-tier IPs over the course of the past decade or so, including Sly Cooper and Infamous, so it’s only appropriate for me to assume that this Ghost of Tsushima follow-up is in great, great hands. 

Let me know what you think about the reveal in the comments ahead. Ghost of Yotei has a release window of 2025, but no date has been specified as of yet.