Ghost of Yotei Has the Perfect Blueprint for a New Mini-Game

The wait for Ghost of Yotei continues, leaving many eager to find out what the highly-anticipated sequel has to offer. As the successor to Sucker Punch’s beloved 2020 hit Ghost of Tsushima, Ghost of Yotei introduces a brand-new protagonist alongside a 300-year time jump forward that introduces a fresh setting and gameplay features.

One of the most exciting new features set to be introduced in Ghost of Yotei is guns. Matchlock guns are bound to be a combat game-changer, and they are one of the most notable changes being made to the Ghost of Tsushima formula. Like any sequel, Ghost of Yotei is likely aiming to improve upon the foundation laid by its predecessor, and the introduction of guns is teasing a significant difference in long-range combat. Despite such a shake-up, Ghost of Yotei can take inspiration from Ghost of Tsushima‘s archery challenges and reuse this feature for guns.

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Ghost of Tsushima’s Archery Challenges are the Perfect Feature to Repurpose

• Archery challenges were introduced to Ghost of Tsushima with its first and only DLC, Iki Island.

Not only did the Iki Island expansion offer players a new chapter of the story, it also presented a fun way to hone one’s archery skills. There are a total of eight different archery challenges to be found throughout the island, and they can give Jin some great rewards once completed. At the moment, it’s unclear how Ghost of Yotei plans to improve the first entry’s features, but a full-blown target practice mini-game seems like the perfect way to evolve the feature that was in Iki Island.

Every Iki Island Archery Challenge

• Raider’s Promontory
• Lone Spirit Falls
• Kidafure Battleground
• Zasho River
• Yahata Forest
• Senjo Gorge
• Buddha’s Footsteps
• Saruiwa

For a DLC, this is a solid number of challenges to go through, but if a similar mini-game were to be introduced in the base version of Ghost of Yotei, doubling, or even tripling, that number could offer players some exciting side activities. New protagonist Atsu is bound to show a new approach to fighting, and the use of a matchlock gun further proves that. This difference in combat means that players will have to learn a fresh set of mechanics that may play quite differently than the past game’s bow and arrow.

It has yet to be revealed how matchlock guns will feel in Ghost of Yotei, but regardless, practice makes perfect. Having the opportunity to make Atsu as powerful of a sharpshooter as possible would only make the game’s mechanics feel that much more exciting. Just like the archery challenges found in Iki Island, they could grant players rewards that could take them a step further by potentially offering gun upgrades or even more aiming abilities.

Ghost of Yotei is Hiding in the Shadows

Since being announced last year, Ghost of Yotei has kept incredibly quiet. Sucker Punch originally confirmed that the game was set for a 2025 launch, but there still has yet to be an official release date revealed. With the monolithic presence of GTA 6 waiting for its fall release, a lot of developers and publishers seem to be biding their time to finally reveal release dates in order to avoid launching near Rockstar’s title.

Of course, this is purely speculation, but it is strange that Ghost of Yotei hasn’t locked in a release window, so perhaps it’s scoping out the competition. As the year continues, more details about Sucker Punch’s next project are bound to pop up, and until then, Ghost of Tsushima remains a great adventure to jump back into.

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Action

Adventure

Open-World

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Released

2025

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Sony Interactive Entertainment