The Ghost of Yōtei review embargo just got announced, and honestly, it’s got me pretty excited. Sony and Sucker Punch are letting critics share their thoughts on September 25 at 9 AM ET – that’s more than a week before the October 2 release date. In the gaming world, that kind of timing usually means one thing: they’re confident in what they’ve built.
Why the Ghost of Yōtei Review Embargo Date Matters
When publishers set review embargos way ahead of launch, it’s typically a good sign. Think about it – if a game has major issues, would you really want critics talking about it for over a week before anyone can buy it? Probably not.
Geoff Keighley confirmed he already received his review copy, which means the game is essentially done and ready for scrutiny. This early Ghost of Yōtei review embargo suggests Sony believes they have something special on their hands.
What We Know About Ghost of Yōtei So Far
Set 300 years after the events of Ghost of Tsushima, this standalone sequel follows Atsu, a lone mercenary on a revenge quest. She’s hunting down the Yōtei Six – a group of outlaws who murdered her family and left her for dead sixteen years earlier.
The setting has shifted from Tsushima to Ezo (modern-day Hokkaido) in 1603, during Japan’s early Edo period. This time period brings some interesting gameplay possibilities, including:
- Dual-wielding katanas inspired by Miyamoto Musashi’s techniques
- Matchlock rifles for ranged combat
- A more personal, revenge-driven narrative
- Non-linear progression – you can hunt the six targets in any order
Early Reactions and Concerns
While the early embargo date is encouraging, some critics who’ve seen gameplay footage worry the sequel might be playing things too safe. The combat looks similar to the original, the open-world activities seem familiar, and even the wind-guided navigation system returns unchanged.
But maybe that’s not necessarily bad? Ghost of Tsushima was beloved for good reason. Sometimes evolution is better than revolution, especially when you’re building on such a solid foundation.
New Features That Could Make a Difference
Despite concerns about similarity, Ghost of Yōtei does introduce some fresh elements:
- Watanabe Mode – A special gameplay mode inspired by the legendary anime director behind Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo, complete with lo-fi beats
- Onryō Elements – Atsu embodies the vengeful spirit archetype from Japanese folklore
- Multiple Weapon Types – Beyond swords, players can use kusarigama, rifles, and various tools
- Enhanced Stealth – Building on the original’s “Ghost” mechanics with new fear tactics
What This Means for PlayStation Fans
Sony’s confidence in setting this early review embargo tells us they believe Ghost of Yōtei will deliver. The original game scored well with critics and was a massive commercial success, so expectations are naturally high.
The game launches exclusively on PlayStation 5 on October 2, 2025, with a Legends multiplayer mode coming in 2026. If you’re planning to dive in, expect to pay full AAA price – this isn’t positioned as a budget sequel.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the Ghost of Yōtei review embargo lift?
The global review embargo lifts on Thursday, September 25, 2025, at 9 AM ET / 6 AM PT. That’s more than a week before the October 2 release date.
Is Ghost of Yōtei a direct sequel to Ghost of Tsushima?
No, it’s a standalone sequel set 300 years later with a completely different protagonist. You don’t need to play the first game to understand this one.
What platforms will Ghost of Yōtei be available on?
Ghost of Yōtei launches exclusively on PlayStation 5. There’s no word yet on PC or other platforms.
Who is the main character in Ghost of Yōtei?
The protagonist is Atsu, a lone mercenary seeking revenge against the Yōtei Six who killed her family sixteen years earlier.
Will Ghost of Yōtei have multiplayer?
Yes, a Legends multiplayer mode similar to the first game will launch sometime in 2026, after the main game releases.
What’s different about the combat in Ghost of Yōtei?
The game introduces dual-wielding katanas, matchlock rifles, and new weapon types like the kusarigama. The stance system has been replaced with weapon switching.
Final Thoughts
The early Ghost of Yōtei review embargo date is genuinely encouraging. It suggests Sony and Sucker Punch have created something they’re proud to show off well before launch day. While some worry the sequel might be too similar to its predecessor, sometimes building on excellence is exactly what fans want. We’ll know for sure when those reviews drop on September 25 – mark your calendars.