Since its reveal this fall,Ghost of Yoteihas skyrocketed to the top of many players' lists of most-anticipated 2025 releases, outdone only by the likes ofGTA 6. That said,Ghost of Yoteiis making some significant changes from its predecessor, featuring a new setting and protagonist and therefore an entirely different set of narrative circumstances, being oddly reminiscent of other AAA hits likeRed Dead Redemption, which have pulled similarly risky moves.
Ghost of Yoteisurprised audiences upon its reveal, as Sucker Punch unveiled that Jin Sakai would not be the protagonist of this long-awaited sequel. In fact, Jin will not be in the game at all, as it takes place hundreds of years after the events of the first game, and in a completely different region of Japan. While some are viewing this radical change as a welcome bit of experimentation and subversion, others are less convinced and disappointed that Jin won’t be making a return. This sentiment echoes the public reception toRed Dead Redemption 2which, ahead of its launch, was revealed to feature a playable character other than the iconic John Marston from the first game. As most would now agree, this was a great decision on Rockstar’s part; perhaps Sucker Punch has made a similarly good call here.
While a lot of discussion around thereplacement of Jin inGhost of Yoteiis unfortunately rooted in sexism, there are many who lament his removal for other, more understandable, reasons.
Ghost of Yotei’s Atsu Could Be the ‘Arthur Morgan’ of the Franchise
Arthur Morgan Exceeded Expectations, and So Could Atsu
Gaming audiences were more than skeptical about John being superseded by Arthur, but now theRed Dead Redemptionfanbase widely considers Arthur the superior character, with many going as far as crowning him the best video game protagonist of all time. This is obviously quite a lofty title to aspire to, and while Atsu might not quite be able to reach those same heights, she could conceivably replace Jin in the hearts of fans, withYoteisolidifying her as the series' definitive hero.
To be frank, this wouldn’t be particularly difficult. Jin Sakai isn’t a bad character by any means, and his struggle between honoring his samurai code and driving out the Mongols by any means necessary is compelling enough, but he’s also a bit bland. His journey of tradition clashing against reality was good for the last game, and perhapshis legacy will live on somehow inGhost of Yotei, but there isn’t enough substance to his character to justify his appearance in a full sequel. Atsu, on the other hand, can compensate for Jin’s shortcomings.
There are a number of reasons why Arthur Morgan is generally considered a more interesting character than John Marston, but to put it succinctly: he is more complex. John spends the firstRed Dead Redemptionrunning from his complicated past, attempting to build a new life for himself, while Arthur is knee-deep in a life that isn’t serving him, but he doesn’t know anything else.RDR2takes the same broad themes of the first gameand expands on them through Arthur’s story, andGhost of Yoteicould do the same.
The battle between honor and survival has narrative potential, but it’s never presented in a multifaceted or nuanced way inGhost of Tsushima. If players are meant to interrogate Jin’s actions, the game doesn’t do a great job of prompting such a response, as he can either be stealthy or watch his country be slaughtered; the choice seems like an easy one. ButGhost of Yoteicould muddy the waters further, putting Atsu at the heart of a much messier internal conflict, thereby allowing her to reveal her character in more crucial and intriguing ways than Jin ever had to.
Ghost of Yotei
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Discover a bold, new story of a warrior in Japan who is on a mission of vengeance all her own.Set 300 years after the critically acclaimed Ghost of Tsushima, Ghost of Yōtei is standalone experience set in 1600s rural Japan. The story follows a haunted, lone mercenary named Atsu. Thirsty for revenge, she travels through the beautiful, rugged landscapes of northern Japan, hunting those who killed her family many years earlier.
