Summary
The highly anticipated sequel toGhost of Tsushima,Ghost of Yotei, wound up not being a direct sequel after all, choosing to begin an all-new story.Ghost of Yoteiintroduces players to a new protagonist, Atsu, and a striking setting around Mount Yotei in Ezo, moving beyond the samurai traditions ofTsushimaand 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 forGhost of Yoteibriefly shows a wolf seemingly teaming up with Atsu and increasing the possibility of this entry having an animal companion.
An animal companion inGhost of Yoteicould be a significant addition to the game, enhancing both its narrative and its gameplay. By integrating a companion like this seamlessly intoAtsu’s story inGhost of Yotei, Sucker Punch has the opportunity to deepen player engagement while innovating on the systems established byGhost of Tsushima.
Ghost of Yotei Needs a Proper Animal Companion
An Animal Companion Could Aid in Exploration and Combat in Ghost of Yotei
AssumingGhost of Yoteidoes feature an animal companion, it could be used in some big ways, particularly in exploration and combat. It would be a first for aGhostgame, which isn’t hard consideringGhost of Yoteiis only the second game in the series, but it would nonetheless effectively set the sequel apart from its predecessor by addingunique gameplay mechanicsthat weren’t present in the first game.
A proper animal companion inGhost of Yotei, especially a wolf, could assist in exploration to make discovery perhaps a bit more believable than the fantasy magic of following agolden bird inGhost 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 inGhost of Yoteiwould 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.
AssumingGhost of Yoteidoes feature an animal companion, it could be used in some big ways, particularly in exploration and combat.
Much likeStar Wars Outlaws' Nix, perhaps an animal companion inGhost of Yoteicould be used to retrieve items or trigger mechanisms that are hard to reach. In certain environments, an animal companion inGhost of Yoteicould 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 directcombat inGhost 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 inAssassin’s Creed Valhallaor be an animal companion permanently at Atsu’s side, which would make sense for exploration as well. Finally, an animal companion inGhost of Yoteimight 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 inGhost of Yotei, it would make sense for the companion to essentially replace Jin Sakai’s horse fromGhost of Tsushimaas 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 sinceGhost of Yoteihas been confirmed to care a bit more about players' choices thanGhost of Tsushimadid, a feature like that would be a perfect fit. Additionally, it would be nice to see a way to interact with an animal companion inGhost of Yotei, as players can withRed 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 inGhost of Yotei’s announcement trailer. If there is an animal companion inGhost of Yotei, however, it should fill more than just an aesthetic role by being useful to both Atsu and the game’s narrative.
Ghost of Yotei
WHERE TO PLAY
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.
