Summary
2020’sGhost of Tsushimawas a huge hit, so a sequel seemed inevitable. In 2024, that was finally confirmed withGhost of Yotei. Although not what fans originally expected, being a thematic sequel with a new story rather than a continuation of Jin Sakai’s story, it did get a lot of people excited to dive back into Feudal Japan and see what Sucker Punch Productions has in store.The trailer promised some interesting things.Ghost of Yoteiis expected to come out sometime in 2025, but no release date has been given.
Fortunately, there are some good options for games to play while waiting. Whether it’s a desire to explore Feudal Japan specifically, or just a desire to explore a medieval/renaissance setting, or a keen interest in sword fighting, there are some pretty good options available. This selection of games should be able to help keep players occupied while waiting forGhost of Yotei.
Ghost of Tsushimafollows Jin Sakai, a samurai, who faces the real-life Mongol Occupation of Tsushima in 1274. The only problem is, that the samurai quickly find their own rigid Code of Honor coming back to bite them when faced with an enemy that refuses to play by their rules. After barely surviving the initial invasion, Jin begins a journey that forces him to question his ideas of honor as he tries to fight back against the Mongols.
For new players, it’s a chance to see what made the upcoming game possible and get a taste of what to expect from it. For its fans, revisitingGhost of Tsushimais an opportunity to get a fresh perspective on the game in preparation for the sequel. WhileGhost of Yoteiis more of a thematic rather than a direct sequel, playingGhost of Tsushimais also a good opportunity to get acquainted with the mechanics, and it might still provide context towards certain parts of the game. There’s also the fact thatGhost of Yoteiwill probably at the very least have Easter Eggs and subtle ways of tying back toGhost of Tsushima, which will become more noticeable after playing the game.
One of the big appeals ofGhost of Tsushimawas its emphasis on swordplay, something likely to continue inGhost of Yotei. This makes sense given Jin Sakai was a samurai, a position known for developing refined sword techniques that are still used today. His experiences throughout the game included everything from dramatic one-on-one duels to epic battles taking on the Mongol army. Fortunately, there are some great options for playerseager to draw their blades. One such option is Warhorse’s experimental RPGKingdom Come: Deliverance.
This one moves to Medieval Europe (specifically Bohemia) instead of Feudal Japan, but one of its main selling points is an effort to realistically simulate medieval combat, with an emphasis on swordplay. Sure, you might be wielding a greatsword instead of a katana, but that still takes a lot of skill to master.Kingdom Come: Deliveranceis also notable for its incorporation of actual history into its plot, something fans ofGhost of Tsushimashould very much be able to respect.
One curious detail aboutGhost of Yotei’s trailer is the implication that its protagonist will have access to early firearms. It is an interesting decision that will likely put a unique spin onGhost of Tsushima’s combat. Players who can’t wait to see what that might look like can try outLike a Dragon: Ishin!This peculiar spin-off to theYakuzaseries relocates the usually modern setting to 19th-century Japan at the end of the Edo Period.
This would place it right at the end of Japan’s feudalistic society and, at least officially, the end of samurai. The story involves a pretty straightforward revenge quest set against the backdrop of the era’s political turmoil, mixed with the usual side missions and wacky encounters one can expect from the games, but one interesting aspect is the way it takes advantage of the 19th-century setting to bring in guns. It makes combat an interesting blend of sword and gunplay.
A major aspect of gameplay throughoutGhost of Tsushimawas a heavy emphasis on stealth. After all, part of the reason Jin Sakai was known as a “ghost” (apart from almost dying and surviving by pure luck twice), was his embracing of guerilla tactics that allowed him to take the Mongols by surprise. This was a part of the game that resonated with a lot of fans, and which will presumably return forGhost of Yotei. Fortunately, for those who are eager to partake in a medieval stealth adventure, there is another option available.
A Plague Tale: Requiem&Innocencefollows the adventures of Amicia De Rune as she struggles to navigate Medieval France and protect her younger brother during the peak of the Black Death. One of the big things about this series is its decision toforego the obvious route of swordplayin favor of highlighting stealth and improvised or ranged weapons. The fact that Amicia can’t simply charge in and directly confront her enemies creates a whole new challenge.
For those players eager to jump back into Feudal Japan, theSengoku Dynastyoffers a unique experience. Instead of playing as a mere Samurai or Shinobi, players get to take on the role of aDaimyo(an extremely powerful position roughly equivalent to a lord in Medieval Europe) and build a dynasty as the name implies. Of course, they don’t start out that way. The game is structured around the player’s journey up the feudal ranks, going from a common peasant to running a small community to managing a thriving village.
It’s not an easy journey, and another big part of the game is the player making decisions onhowto make the climb. They can go the warrior’s path and build an empire on military might, or they can go the peaceful route and focus on building alliances.
One big appeal ofGhost of Tsushima’s storywas its use of actual history. Although its characters are fictional, it follows real events. The Mongol invasion of Tsushima was a real thing that happened. Players interested in the historical aspect of the game might be interested inRise of the Ronin.
This is another one set in 19th-century Japan, against the backdrop of the turmoil that would end its feudal system, but it treats the setting a bit more seriously thanLike a Dragon! Ishin.Rise of the Roninfollows a pair of customizable twins as they navigate the historical events of Bakumatsu, their stories intertwining with those of actual historical figures and events.
Around the same timeGhost of Tsushimawas released, there was another Feudal Japan-set game calledSekiro: Shadows Die Twice, leading to frequent comparisons between them. LikeGhost of Tsushima,Sekirowas an RPG set against the backdrop of actual history (in this case the unification of Japan during the 1600s). This one offers a slightly different perspective since it follows a shinobi (or “ninja” as has become a more popular term), and they often acted in direct opposition to Samurai like Jin.
Of course, this being a FromSoftware game, things get pretty weird. The setup involves a Shinobi named Wolf wholoses his armand finds it replaced with a supernaturally-powered prosthetic, and from there, he goes on to face several strange bosses, gets chased by a giant snake, and is genuinely in for a hard time.
Some players might not be too concerned about the timeframe, just eager to revisit Japan and Japanese culture in an action-packed adventure. Well, theYakuzaseries is a perfect fit. The games are well-known for their emphasis on martial arts and brawling, as well as their set of quirky characters and wacky minigames. Most protagonists can’t so much as walk down the street without getting into a fistfight.
They also feature a full embracing of Japanese culture,much of which can be explored through various mini-open worlds. But it’s also a good fit thematically. A big part ofGhost of Tsushima’s story was how it tested Jin’s sense of honor and forced him into an uncomfortable situation that brought it into question. This is a frequent theme throughout theYakuzaseries. Most of the games’s protagonists struggle to do the right thing and retain some sense of honor in a morally ambiguous world that constantly tries to tear it down.
