Critical Reception and Score Breakdown
The moment Ghost of Yotei hit stores, reviewers were quick to hand out numbers that dwarf its predecessor. On OpenCritic the title sits at an 89, aggregated from 66 critic reviews—a clean five‑point jump from Ghost of Tsushima’s 84 earned from 197 reviews. Metacritic mirrors the trend, posting an 87 average based on 102 critiques, up from Tsushima’s 83 collected from 122 voices.
Those scores aren’t just vanity metrics. They translate into a tangible edge in a crowded market, especially in a year where titles like Monster Hunter Wilds and Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 are also fighting for attention. Ghost of Yotei barely squeezes into the top 20 games of 2025 on Metacritic, underscoring the fierce competition that makes its performance all the more impressive.
Publications such as IGN, TheGamer, and several indie outlets highlighted a shared set of strengths: breathtaking art direction, a combat system that feels both familiar and freshly tuned, and an emotional narrative that leans into justice rather than romanticized samurai lore. Even the more tempered voices noted that the game’s lack of radical innovation is a double‑edged sword—comforting for fans but a missed chance for bold experimentation.
What Sets Ghost of Yotei Apart
Beyond the numbers, the game’s biggest talking point is its new protagonist, Atsu, voiced and performed by Erika Ishii. Critics describe Atsu as a “rough‑around‑the‑edges” warrior whose brashness injects a different energy into the series. IGN praised how her stubborn, blood‑lusting nature creates tension with a world that pushes back, making every encounter feel charged.
Visually, the sequel stakes its claim with sweeping vistas that differ markedly from the mist‑filled hills of Tsushima. Dense flower fields, towering cliffs, and sun‑splashed valleys give Yotei its own identity. Reviewers repeatedly mentioned that the game’s environment feels alive, turning even routine travel sequences into moments of awe.
Combat, while still rooted in the classic sword‑play fans love, has been fine‑tuned for speed and fluidity. New parry mechanics, a broader set of counter‑attacks, and a customizable sword system let players experiment without sacrificing the series’ core feel. TheGamer’s Stacey Henly summed it up: the game doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it rolls smoother and looks better doing it.
Storytelling also shifts gears. Instead of glorifying the samurai code, Yotea explores how far a warrior will go for justice, offering a darker, more personal journey. This thematic pivot resonated with reviewers who appreciated the moral ambiguity and depth of Atsu’s motivations.
Overall, the consensus paints Ghost of Yotei as a “truly worthy successor.” It delivers the refined samurai action fans expect while sprucing up the package with stronger visuals, a compelling new lead, and combat tweaks that feel earned. Even skeptics admit that in a year packed with high‑caliber releases, the title manages to stand out—proving that a sequel can be both familiar and fresh without trying to reinvent the entire franchise.