The sequel that takes Samurai’s legacy to its highest point on PlayStation 5

5 years later ghost of tsushimaSucker Punch Productions returns with an installment that redefines the standard for samurai adventures. Ghost of Yotei not only respects the essence of its predecessorbut extends it in all directions: story, world design, and combat.

This particular qualitative leap forward for video games is emblematic of: Technical maturity of PlayStation 5 consoleEven though I’ve been alive for 5 years, and artistic hard to beat. All of this becomes clear within the first few minutes of this action-adventure where revenge is a common theme.

The story takes place over three centuries after the Mongol invasion in the first film, and progresses to Japan during the Edo period. The main character is no longer Jin Sakai, HotA warrior who suffered a tragedy. Embarks on the subjugation of the “Six Yotei”a group of lords and mercenaries responsible for the murder of his family.

Erika Ishii plays the role of Atsu is a complex and contradictory character.. Her journey for revenge brings her face to face with the very values ​​she despises: samurai rank, honor, and discipline. But it also gives you the chance to build a new iconic family with a group of companions that will accompany your missions and even translate into playable mechanics.

Ghost of Tsushima explored the honor and identity of a samurai who must break codes to save his land. Yotei dives into a more visceral tale of revenge. Atsu does not seek salvation, but seeks justice himself. In that sense, this story has a lot in common with the films in the series. kill bill.

This time, the enemy is not from abroad; the conflict is brewing within Japan, spanning tensions between farmers, samurai, and ronin. That line of sight creates a building. More human and political historyfocused on the social cleavages that define Ezo IslandMain stage of the game.

Meanwhile, the game alternates between: present and past Featuring a fluid system that harnesses all the power of PlayStation 5: At certain locations, players can press the DualSense touchpad to Atsu’s childhood memories come back. Beyond technical effects, this resource strengthens empathy for the protagonist and deepens the emotional weight of her crusade.

The most noticeable change from Tsushima is in exploration. The ghost of Yotei abandoned the map full of icons, organic dip. It consists of six regions in total, with random events, characters and camps that appear from nowhere, and representative animals from the Japanese fauna. leads you to hidden missions.

The result is a living world.it feels alive In the style of Red Dead Redemption 2routes between main missions are filled with spontaneous encounters.

From farmers asking for help to travelers sharing stories by the fire, this game accomplishes something that few open-world titles can. Surprise without overloading. A clear example of this is the lack of a button to ignore this kind of scene.

The combat system is one of the game’s greatest achievements. Tsushima’s “stance” mechanic has been replaced with a weapon-based approach. Sword, Odachi, Spear, Kusarigamaamong others. Each style has advantages against certain enemies, so you’ll have to constantly change your tactics.

The animation, the sound of steel, and the visual impact of the showdowns make each duel a cinematic spectacle. Implementation of special moves such as “The Roar of the Vengeful Spirit”. Black and white sequence culminating in a fatal blow— combines technical precision with visual drama.

In terms of performance, “Ghost of Yotei” is maintained. 60 frames per second stabilityEven in the most demanding environments. Quality and Performance modes have been optimized for PS5, and lighting, reflection and shadow effects show a clear evolution compared to the previous model.

Ghost of Tsushima is already Tribute to Akira KurosawaMt. Yotei amplifies that aesthetic sensibility. With peony fields swaying in the wind, lakes covered in flower petals, and snowy forests creaking with the sound of horses’ footsteps, the recreation of Ezo Island is like visual poetry.

New “Kurosawa mode” Maintain movie-like black and whiteBut other filters have also been added, each taking inspiration from Japanese directors such as Takashi Miike and Shinichiro Watanabe, each with their own unique visuals and sound tone. It’s both a love letter to the art of video games and an homage to Japanese cinema.

In 2020, Ghost of Tsushima’s artistic director Jason Connell told Clarin: incredible sense of beautyI hope you can get lost in it while enjoying nature and light. ”

After five years, that wish finally takes shape. Ghost of Yotei not only reaffirms that beauty, but translates it into narrative, gameplay, and emotion. A new love letter that justifies the samurai genre and reminds us why. So are video games. works of art.

The review was conducted on a PlayStation 5 console.