There were many exciting announcements at the recent State of Play, however Ghost of Yotei definitely stole the show. News of another sequel Ghost of Tsushima has been long awaited, but Ghost of Yotei surprised many. Not only does the game take place more than 300 years after the events of its predecessor, but it introduces an entirely new protagonist.
Atsu, a female Ronin, takes the stage as Ghost of Yoteis management. It was both a shocking and exciting revelation, but there has also been sadness that Jin Sakai was taken out of the picture. Much of the speculation surrounding a sequel predicted that a sequel would revolve around the second Mongol invasion of Japan which occurred just a few years after the first. Sucker Punch making the bold decision to do Ghost of Tsushima franchise more of an anthology is ultimately a stronger move, but that doesn't mean Jin Sakai is completely gone as a character.
Ghost of Yotei still leaves room for Jin Sakai's presence
Giving a new meaning to the Tsushima name
With Ghost of Yotei taking place 300 years after its predecessor, Jin is apparently dead. However, this does not mean that he cannot live on in some capacity. Jin's story and the events of Ghost of Tsushima have likely become legends passed down from generation to generation, making Jin a folk hero. He can still live on through stories, and this provides many opportunities for the character to be mentioned and hinted at at various times in Ghost of Yoteis story.
Whether it's through interactions with descendants or writings found throughout the game, Jin can still be an important presence, even if he's not physically there. Showcasing a new region and a new era in Japan is an exciting change, and it can be fascinating to see how Jin's story has developed through word of mouth. Despite the many decades that have passed since then Ghost of TsushimaJin's efforts to push back the Mongols would not be forgotten. There is even the possibility that Atsu could potentially be a descendant of Jin. Since the announcement of the sequel is fresh, hardly anything is known about the character, but being part of Jin's lineage is not off the table.
Ghost of Yotei
takes place in the Ezo region in 1603. At the time, this was an area outside of Japan's rule.
It would also be a beautiful way to pay homage to the franchise's “ghost” title if Jin were to subtly haunt the story in some small way. A Sucker Punch dev has hinted at it Ghost of Yotei may be the first of many spin-off stories. Creating a chain reaction of each preceding protagonist touching the story in an unexpected way can be a clever way to make the games feel connected while still standing on their own.
Ghost of Yotei is a bold and promising choice
Sucker Punch takes chances
Ghost of Tshusima and Ghost of Yotei Setting the scene for a new ongoing PlayStation series shows that Sucker Punch isn't afraid to take risks, and that's exciting. The developer could have easily gone the expected route and presented the second Mongol invasion, but it chose new story over the clear path forward. Even if Ghost of Yoteis appearance matches its predecessor, it's clear that the game also aims to be its own special standalone story.
Despite controversy surrounding Ghost of YoteiNew protagonist Atsu and her story promises another beautiful and violent adventure on the horizon. Sucker Punch has shocked many with this change of direction, and it could pay off in spades if the story is on par with, or even better than, its predecessor. Jin may be physically long gone, but his spirit will likely still be present.
