Sucker Punch Productions aims to refine the open-world formula of its acclaimed title, Ghost of Tsushima, in its upcoming sequel, Ghost of Yotei. The developer acknowledges past criticism regarding repetitive gameplay and promises a more varied experience.

Ghost of Yotei Prioritizes Diverse Gameplay

Addressing Repetitive Gameplay in Ghost of Tsushima

In a recent interview with the New York Times, Sucker Punch outlined its vision for Ghost of Yotei, focusing on the journey of its new protagonist, Atsu. Creative director Jason Connell highlighted a key objective: "One challenge with open-world games is repetitive gameplay. We aimed to counter this by creating unique experiences." He further confirmed that unlike its predecessor, Ghost of Yotei will feature firearms alongside the katana.

While Ghost of Tsushima boasts an impressive Metacritic score of 83, criticism centered on its repetitive gameplay. Reviews cited the game's similarity to Assassin's Creed and suggested that a smaller scope or more linear structure might have improved the experience. Player feedback echoed these sentiments, with many pointing to the limited enemy variety and repetitive combat encounters.

Sucker Punch is directly addressing these concerns, striving to avoid the pitfalls that hampered its predecessor's reception. Creative director Nate Fox emphasized the importance of maintaining the series' signature cinematic quality and visual appeal, stating, "When developing the sequel, our first question was, ‘What defines a Ghost game?’ It's about immersing players in the beauty and romance of feudal Japan."