Key Takeaways
- Ghost of Yotei isn’t a direct sequel to Tsushima, introducing a new story and protagonist, Atsu.
- An animal companion in Ghost of Yotei could enhance gameplay through exploration and combat.
- Atsu’s wolf companion could serve as a helpful ally, aiding in discovery, combat, and player engagement.
The highly anticipated sequel to Ghost of Tsushima, Ghost of Yotei, wound up not being a direct sequel after all, choosing to begin an all-new story. Ghost of Yotei introduces players to a new protagonist, Atsu, and a striking setting around Mount Yotei in Ezo, moving beyond the samurai traditions of Tsushima and immersing players in the early 1600s. According to recent reveals, Atsu is brought to Ezo on a revenge path, but more is to be revealed at a later date. Apart from the protagonist, world, and the setup for the game’s narrative, the announcement trailer for Ghost of Yotei briefly shows a wolf seemingly teaming up with Atsu and increasing the possibility of this entry having an animal companion.
An animal companion in Ghost of Yotei could be a significant addition to the game, enhancing both its narrative and its gameplay. By integrating a companion like this seamlessly into Atsu’s story in Ghost of Yotei, Sucker Punch has the opportunity to deepen player engagement while innovating on the systems established by Ghost of Tsushima.
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Why Ghost of Yotei is a Brilliant Lateral Move
Ghost of Yotei puts itself in a wonderful position as its series presses onward in a way many other PlayStation exclusives will miss out on.
Ghost of Yotei Needs a Proper Animal Companion
An Animal Companion Could Aid in Exploration and Combat in Ghost of Yotei
Assuming Ghost of Yotei does feature an animal companion, it could be used in some big ways, particularly in exploration and combat. It would be a first for a Ghost game, which isn’t hard considering Ghost of Yotei is only the second game in the series, but it would nonetheless effectively set the sequel apart from its predecessor by adding unique gameplay mechanics that weren’t present in the first game.
A proper animal companion in Ghost of Yotei, especially a wolf, could assist in exploration to make discovery perhaps a bit more believable than the fantasy magic of following a golden bird in Ghost of Tsushima. A wolf or other animal companion could help Atsu track important items, be they cosmetic items or other useful accessories. An animal companion in Ghost of Yotei would also be a helpful method for finding nearby enemy camps or other activities, like shrines, if the sequel chooses to keep up the first game’s tradition.
Assuming
Ghost of Yotei
does feature an animal companion, it could be used in some big ways, particularly in exploration and combat.
Much like Star Wars Outlaws‘ Nix, perhaps an animal companion in Ghost of Yotei could be used to retrieve items or trigger mechanisms that are hard to reach. In certain environments, an animal companion in Ghost of Yotei could move through tight spaces or travel ahead to scout unfamiliar territories, revealing areas of interest or even uncovering hidden paths players might otherwise miss. Additionally, an animal companion could aid players by distracting enemies, thereby allowing players to sneak up on their foes for stealth takedowns or critical hits.
When players are engaged in direct combat in Ghost of Yotei, an animal companion could even be summoned or commanded to attack enemies by charging at them, biting them, or keeping them pinned to the ground and opening the door of opportunity for players to subdue the enemy. It could either function similarly to the wolf companion in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla or be an animal companion permanently at Atsu’s side, which would make sense for exploration as well. Finally, an animal companion in Ghost of Yotei might even be used as a defensive tank of sorts that could act as a shield, blocking attacks to protect Atsu.
A Proper Animal Companion in Ghost of Yotei Would Replace Jin’s Horse From Ghost of Tsushima
Apart from the usefulness of an animal companion in Ghost of Yotei, it would make sense for the companion to essentially replace Jin Sakai’s horse from Ghost of Tsushima as an animal for Atsu to bond with. Perhaps Atsu could encounter the animal companion during a formative moment, like a rescue, and it then could develop alongside Atsu, becoming a symbol of her personal growth. To give the animal companion more personality, it could even evolve based on the player’s actions, and since Ghost of Yotei has been confirmed to care a bit more about players’ choices than Ghost of Tsushima did, a feature like that would be a perfect fit. Additionally, it would be nice to see a way to interact with an animal companion in Ghost of Yotei, as players can with Red Dead Redemption 2‘s horses.
Perhaps players could feed the animal, pet it, groom it, and treat its wounds to strengthen their bond with it, potentially opening up new skills for the animal in the process.
While it hasn’t been outright confirmed whether the wolf already shown is one of Atsu’s traveling companions, and whether that companion would even be controllable, it seems likely, given the nature of what was shown in Ghost of Yotei‘s announcement trailer. If there is an animal companion in Ghost of Yotei, however, it should fill more than just an aesthetic role by being useful to both Atsu and the game’s narrative.
The sequel to Ghost of Tsushima, Sucker Punch’s Ghost of Yōtei is a PS5 exclusive scheduled to drop at some point in 2025. Taking place in 1603, the story will feature a new protagonist and a new Japanese region that is far removed from Tsushima’s setting.
Action
Adventure
Open-World
- Released
- 2025
- Publisher(s)
- Sony Interactive Entertainment