Ghost of Yotei is not even out yet, but it is already pulling ahead of Ghost of Tsushima when it comes to reviews. Tsushima ended up with an 83 on Metacritic, while Yotei is debuting with an 87, which is a great sign just two days before release.
Over on OpenCritic, it is even stronger with an 88 average, showing that critics already see it as a clear step forward. Here is a quick look at the scores right now:
- 10 – VGC
- 10 – Game Rant
- 10 – PSU
- 10 – Digital Trends
- 9.5 – CG Magazine
- 9.5 – WellPlayed
- 9 – Gamespot
- 9 – GamesRadar+
- 9 – GamingTrend
- 8 – IGN
What Makes Yotei Stand Out (From Early Reviews)
Reviewers are calling the game a massive improvement in almost every way. The open world feels richer, the story hits harder, and visually it’s a huge step up. There is some split opinion on the combat system, though – especially the weapon swapping mechanic that forces you to switch depending on enemy type. Of course, this varies depending on each person’s preferences.
On top of that, a Legends-style co-op mode is already confirmed for next year, which should keep the game alive well after launch.
Can You Play Without Knowing Tsushima?
Yes! Ghost of Yotei is a completely standalone story, so you do not need to have played Tsushima first. Even if you missed the original, you can jump straight into this one.
Release Date and Platforms
Ghost of Yotei officially releases on October 2, 2025. It’s launching exclusively on PlayStation 5 for now, but given Tsushima’s eventual PC port, fans are hopeful Yotei will follow later.
With strong early reviews and a higher score than Tsushima already, Ghost of Yotei is definitely going to be one of the standout releases of the year.
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