NERDAGES
Ghost of Yotei Review — A Beautiful, Imperfect Masterpiece
Eric Poole Updated: 10/9/2025 | Posted: 10/9/2025
(Credit: Playstation | Store Page)
Every so often, a game comes along that feels like an instant classic — Ghost of Yotei is one of those. It’s stunningly beautiful, deeply immersive, and brimming with heart, even if it stumbles slightly out of the gate. From its breathtaking Japanese landscapes to its haunting soundtrack, Ghost of Yotei stands tall among the most artful gaming experiences of 2025.
A Rough Start to a Gorgeous Journey
Let’s get this out of the way: Ghost of Yotei doesn’t put its best foot forward. The intro lighting is dark (cheapening the graphics) and the first combat encounter feels surprisingly lackluster. The transition from cutscene to gameplay is so seamless that, at times, I didn’t even realize I had control until I took damage.
But once the sun rises over Mount Yotei, everything changes. The world opens up, drenched in color and atmosphere. From that moment on, it’s one of the most beautiful depictions of Japan I’ve ever experienced in a video game.
Riding on horseback through the countryside, mist curling over the fields and temples, is meditative in the best possible way. It’s a game that rewards you for slowing down and soaking it in.
Gameplay and Mechanics
Combat — 8/10
Combat is Ghost of Yotei’s weakest link, but that’s not to say it’s bad — just overshadowed by everything else the game does so well. On regular difficulty, early battles feel simple, only gradually layering on complexity.
The weapon wheel introduces a clever rock-paper-scissors system, encouraging you to switch weapon types to exploit enemy weaknesses. It’s fun but never essential, meaning you can often brute-force encounters without much penalty.
Boss fights, while cinematic and intense, can feel repetitive. Many of them follow a predictable rhythm: block or dodge after a color flash (blue, red, or yellow), counterattack twice, then repeat. It’s effective, but once you’ve learned the timing — which is oddly delayed compared to most action games — the encounters start to feel formulaic.
Still, there’s satisfaction in mastering its timing-based combat once it clicks.
Puzzles and Exploration — 9/10
Coming off Silent Hill f, I’ll admit the “puzzles” here barely qualify as puzzles, but they work. They break up the pace without stalling momentum, and everything feels intuitive. Exploration, though, is where Ghost of Yotei truly shines — the sense of discovery and reward is constant.
Controls — 9/10
Tight, responsive, and polished. Whether riding, sneaking, or dueling, every motion feels fluid. The control scheme is intuitive enough that even the complex weapon-swapping system never feels cumbersome.
Graphics and Art Direction — 10/10
Simply put, Ghost of Yotei is one of the most beautiful games ever made. Every frame could be a painting. From cherry blossoms blowing through the wind to snow reflecting sunlight off rooftops, this game sets a new benchmark for environmental art.
Sound and Music — 10/10
Few games deserve to be experienced with good headphones as much as this one. The score, ambient sounds, and subtle cues combine into something transcendent. Every gust of wind and footstep feels handcrafted.
The only sour note? The shamisen mini-game. It’s an interesting idea that never quite lands — more novelty than substance. Still, the soundtrack as a whole is breathtaking and perfectly complements the world.
Replayability — 10/10
Between bounty hunts, animal companion side quests, and collectible cosmetics, Ghost of Yotei offers tons of replay value. But what truly makes it replayable is the feeling of peace it gives when exploring. Sometimes, I’d just ride through the landscape without a quest in mind — that’s how immersive it is.
The Atsu character loadouts you can craft along the way add a bit of charm and personality, from the grounded to the downright wacky.
Story and Memorability — 10/10
Without spoiling anything: Ghost of Yotei tells a story that will stick with me longer than most games this year. It surpasses Ghost of Tsushima in emotional depth and character writing. The final act especially delivers a quiet, powerful payoff that lingers after the credits roll.
Difficulty Scaling — 9/10
Normal difficulty strikes a great balance. It’s challenging without ever feeling unfair, and for those craving more, higher difficulties are rewarding rather than punishing. The toughest boss — the one players will likely rage about online — is hidden in a side quest, not the main story, which I love. It makes optional content genuinely meaningful.
Performance — 10/10
Flawless. On a launch PS5 and 4K display, I never noticed a single significant framerate dip or bug. In a time when many major releases launch half-broken, Ghost of Yotei is a rare example of true polish. This is the standard the industry should aim for.
Final Thoughts
Ghost of Yotei is a breathtaking experience that stumbles slightly in combat but excels in every other way. It’s visually stunning, emotionally moving, and mechanically smooth. The soundtrack alone is worth the journey.
Even with a few pacing and combat hiccups, this is one of the most memorable games of 2025 — a masterwork of atmosphere and storytelling.