How Ghost of Yotei's 1603 Setting Could Pave the Way for One Theme

The reveal of Ghost of Yotei has been one of the biggest announcements of the year so far, with Sucker Punch taking its beloved Ghost of Tsushima franchise in an unexpected direction. Ghost of Yotei brings a fresh story to life with protagonist Atsu. Although much of the story still remains a secret, the first trailer for the game teases a ruthless journey filled with revenge-fueled bloodshed.

The mystery of Ghost of Yotei makes it a compelling game to speculate on, but one of the most intriguing differences from its predecessor is its significant time jump. Ghost of Yotei takes place in 1603, which is more than 300 years after the events of Ghost of Tsushima. This time jump is one of the biggest questions surrounding Ghost of Yotei and its story. Although many were surprised about the focus on a different time period, the year of 1603 marks a huge cultural change for Japan that could set the stage for one of Ghost of Yotei‘s main themes.

Ghost of Yotei’s Setting Marks the Beginning of Japan’s Edo Period

A Time Defined By Rigid Social Standards

The Edo period lasted over 200 years, but it officially began in 1603, according to historians. This is one of the most significant times in Japan’s long history, as it brought the country into a much stricter hierarchy that greatly valued an emphasis on social classes. Despite its mysterious nature, there is a lot to be analyzed from early looks at Ghost of Yotei. With this setting in particular, Atsu’s journey technically takes place outside of Japan, so her journey and methods may clash with the changing world around her.

Mount Yotei and Hokkaido

As the title implies, Ghost of Yotei uses Mount Yotei as a backdrop for its setting. Located on the island of Hokkaido, this is an intriguing choice for a setting, as the island wasn’t officially made part of Japan until 1869. This means that either Atsu could be running away to the area, or she could have been raised on the island. If the former is true, then it could be possible that Atsu is seeking solace in Hokkaido, as she is fleeing Japan’s transformation into a stricter society. In the trailer, Atsu is portrayed as a renegade, and this directly clashes with both the samurai bushido code and the country of Japan as a whole.

During the Edo period, a nomadic lifestyle was not in line with the samurai way, especially if it was fueled by bloodlust. By this time, the samurai were beginning to formalize bushido, giving samurai a far more rigid set of rules to follow in order to serve as an example to those who were considered to be in the lower classes. Atsu’s embrace of a more free lifestyle in Ghost of Yotei could be the start of one of the game’s main conflicts.

Atsu Paving Her Own Path in a Changing Social Order

Bushido Virtues That Helped Define the Edo Period

• Righteousness
• Courage
• Benevolence
• Respect
• Honesty
• Honor
• Loyalty

On the surface, these seven virtues are great rules to live by, but taking them too close to the heart can create a suffocating environment. During this period, the samurai lifestyle seemed to have a far more black and white perspective on issues of the time, while Atsu could potentially see everything as far more gray. If Ghost of Yotei aims to bring the franchise into a new era, then shining a spotlight on this conflict in morality could be a fascinating starting point for the game’s story.

Based on early looks, it seems like Ghost of Yotei will be a fascinating dive into a specific period of Japan’s history. There is an important meaning behind this time jump, and the start of the Edo period could easily be the reason why.

The sequel to Ghost of Tsushima, Sucker Punch’s Ghost of Yōtei is a PS5 exclusive scheduled to drop at some point in 2025. Taking place in 1603, the story will feature a new protagonist and a new Japanese region that is far removed from Tsushima’s setting.

Action

Advertisement

Adventure

Open-World

Systems

Advertisement

Released

2025

Publisher(s)

Sony Interactive Entertainment

Advertisement