Summary
- Ghost of Yotei expands the Ghost franchise with new protagonists, creating limitless narrative possibilities.
- Sucker Punch’s approach mirrors that of Assassin’s Creed, connecting stories while focusing on different characters.
- A direct sequel to Ghost of Tsushima remains possible, as Sucker Punch may first establish context with new stories.
Ghost of Yotei is perhaps the boldest step forward that Sucker Punch could have taken after the huge success of Ghost of Tsushima, simply due to its decision to turn the Ghost into an idea rather than a persona for only one character to become. In taking this route, Sucker Punch has effectively turned Ghost of Tsushima into a full-blown franchise with Ghost of Yotei, securing a path forward that suggests each game will feature a brand-new protagonist who has chosen to don the mask of the Ghost for personal reasons or a call to greater responsibility.
Despite the leaps Sucker Punch has chosen to take with Ghost of Yotei, that doesn’t necessarily mean the story of Jin Sakai, Ghost of Tsushima‘s protagonist, has to come to an end. For now, the Ghost franchise’s overarching narrative will indeed be focused on Ghost of Yotei‘s new protagonist, Atsu, as she travels to Ezo (modern-day Hokkaido) in search of vengeance. However, there is no reason to suggest that the Ghost franchise will neglect to return to Jin Sakai’s story in a future installment, especially in light of how Ghost of Tsushima ended. In short, Ghost of Yotei may just be a detour in a long journey for Sucker Punch’s beloved franchise.
Related
Why Ghost of Yotei’s Atsu Is a Natural Evolution of the Ghost Persona
Ghost of Yotei’s use of a different protagonist allows it to introduce an evolution of the Ghost persona, thanks to her story of underdog vengeance.
Ghost of Yotei Doesn’t Mean the End for Jin’s Story
Ghost’s Franchise Status Opens the Door Wide for the Future
While Sucker Punch’s decision to move beyond the story of Jin Sakai (for now) has proven to be divisive among fans, there is no denying the limitless possibilities that the Ghost franchise has now opened itself up to with the upcoming release of Ghost of Yotei. By choosing to divorce the idea of focusing solely on one character’s story, the Ghost franchise can essentially do whatever it wants from here on out, even if it means viewing the concept of the Ghost through a different lens with each installment.
It’s very similar to what Ubisoft has done with its Assassin’s Creed series, which, for the most part, has featured a new protagonist in each installment. Yet, despite how new each story in the Assassin’s Creed franchise is designed to be, they are all connected through one massive overarching narrative. Sucker Punch can now do something similar with the Ghost franchise, and it more than likely will. As such, fans should expect Ghost of Yotei to maintain its ties to Ghost of Tsushima in one way or another, as well as future entries.
Ghost of Tsushima Could Still Receive a Sequel Somewhere Down the Line
In light of the open-ended direction Sucker Punch has chosen to take the Ghost franchise, there’s plenty of reason to believe that Ghost of Tsushima will get a direct sequel somewhere down the line. It could be that Sucker Punch wants to establish a certain context for a Ghost of Tsushima sequel that can only be done by telling a different story or two first. In a way, it’s like what The Coalition is doing with Gears of War: E-Day. While the Gears of War series’ next game could have been Gears 6, The Coalition has chosen instead to release Gears of War: E-Day — a prequel to the first Gears of War game — in order to provide more context for the story of Gears 6.
By choosing to divorce the idea of focusing solely on one character’s story, the Ghost franchise can essentially do whatever it wants from here on out, even if it means viewing the concept of the Ghost through a different lens with each installment.
In other words, fans shouldn’t give up hope just yet for a direct Ghost of Tsushima sequel. More than likely, Sucker Punch has heavily weighed the impact that burying Jin Sakai without a word would have on Ghost fans and the franchise itself, so there’s little reason to believe that the developer is done with its flagship protagonist. As such, it’s reasonable to believe that the Ghost franchise might get another game or two after Ghost of Yotei before returning to Ghost of Tsushima, although that is entirely based on speculation. If nothing else, Jin will likely be remembered, spoken of, and may even appear in some capacity in future Ghost titles.
Action
Adventure
Open-World
- Released
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2025
- Publisher(s)
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Sony Interactive Entertainment