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The Ghost horse of Yotei, named Mokizuki, translates to the traditional Japanese term for “full moon.” I truly believe she is the most unfortunate creature in all of the North. The button needed to summon her is alarmingly close to the one used to heal my samurai during combat, leading to frequent mishaps where I inadvertently call her into a Koittic 7-on-1 skirmish. Mochizuki often intercepts arrows with her fur and deflects sword strikes from my outlaw adversaries to keep them at bay. At times, she simply stands at the fringes of the conflict, quietly waiting to steady my nerves so that I can dispatch the villains and return to picturesque escapades in the Ezo region.

Ghost of Yotei serves as a sequel to Ghost of Tsushima, a revered samurai action game from the American studio Punch released in 2020. Visually, it consistently impresses, regardless of your undertaking. Yet, the majestic framing typical of open-world titles can appear somewhat absurd when you accidentally summon horses for battle or ignite flames, as they don’t quite mesh with the whimsical nature of players.

I realized that the ghosts of Tsushima were not only breathtaking but also peculiarly superficial. Their protagonist, Jin, frequently expressed his discomfort with the act of stealthily taking down Mongol invaders to save his island. In contrast, the heroine of Yotei, Ats, embraces her role as the vengeful specter much more comfortably. The narrative isn’t particularly groundbreaking; Ats’ family falls victim to a group of masked outlaws known as the Yotei Six, prompting her to hunt them down for vengeance. Star Erika Ishii delivers a stellar performance as a stoic killer, making me completely invested in Atsu’s quest for blood. Despite several other characters serving as reminders of retribution, she relentlessly eliminates her foes, giving off an impression that she relishes in it.

Honestly, I find it enjoyable. Yotei’s ghostly battles are both exquisite and brutal. You quickly grasp the mechanics of evasion, substitution, and timing while exploring Ezo, equipping yourself with dual katana, a spear, a bow, and the massive Yamato sword for more engaging fights. The setup for confrontations maintains a consistent level of challenge. Atsu faces opponents often twice her size, with some strikes sufficient to end her battles. I enjoy numerous challenging action games, from Monster Hunter to Elden Ring, yet despite over 20 hours of dueling and exploration, I still feel my enemies succumb to me with minimal effort, thus keeping the experience fresh.

Among this year’s Assassin’s Creed Shadows, also set in historical Japan, Yotei’s Ghost ranks as one of the most visually stunning games I’ve encountered. The stunning natural beauty of Japan, with its ginkgo trees, distant mountains, and fish-filled rivers, is digitally honored (you can spear them for dinner). It is a world crafted for admiration. Navigate with your senses rather than the map on your screen; the wind guides you on where to go next in the story, enabling leisurely exploration. Intriguingly, with your PS5 controller, you can roast fish over a fire, strum a Shamisen, or dab ink onto a canvas. Revisiting Atsu’s memories in familiar places allows for a reflection on her life before it spiraled into violence.

The blend of traditional Japanese instruments with old Western rhythms marks the game as set in 1600s Japan through an American lens. While it may feature more action, blood, and death-defying climbs than typical samurai movies, is that truly a downside? If anything, Tsushima’s ghosts were hampered by a rigid adherence to a somber tone that conflicted with the game’s high body count. Yotei doesn’t complicate matters as the assassin’s creed does, making it fairly straightforward and enjoyable. Whenever I grew weary of pursuing one target, it was easy to find another.

As Atsu’s legend amplifies, the Ezo populace begins to leave offerings for the vengeful onryō (Bloodthirsty Ghost), seeking to rid the land of its oppressors. As you traverse Ezo, you truly start to feel a connection to it; Atsu engages in battles alongside wolves and chases elusive foxes to discover hidden places in nature. Once her quest for vengeance concluded, I found myself pondering what lay ahead for Ats. She struggles to envision a life beyond this path.

While the story may be simple at its core, it captivated me more than any other historical action game. Even after countless hours, I still feel a rush of excitement as Atsu deliberately unsheathes her sword at the onset of battle. The conclusion would be bittersweet.