Ghost of Yōtei Most Wanted Preview – Jin Sakai Returns

During Sony’s August State of Play livestream, Sucker Punch Productions announced Ghost of Yōtei Complete Edition, an updated version of their critically acclaimed action-adventure game released last year. Coming to PS5 on October 1st, this new edition includes story expansion content and a single-player survival mode named Most Wanted.

The main attraction here is the return of Jin Sakai, the lead protagonist from the game that started it all, Ghost of Tsushima. I was a huge fan of Ghost of Tsushima and always wondered what it would be like to see this character return in this standalone sequel. PlayStation gave me access to this mode last week, so let’s talk about what you can expect if you decide to play.

As I mentioned, Most Wanted is a single-player roguelite-inspired combat survival mode that comes with the complete edition. Players step into the role of one of four hunters, taking on bounties to eliminate all of the Yotei Six. The four hunters include Atsu, Oyuki, Nagato, and Jin. Each hunter has unique ultimates and kill-streak specials.

Each bounty is a dedicated run spanning a few mini-levels, featuring waves of enemies, a mini-boss battle, and a final boss battle against a Yotei Six member. After finishing each mini-level, you’re presented with 1 of 3 bounty perks to choose from, making the next level more interesting. Atsu is the only playable hunter at first, and you unlock the other hunters by completing runs, leveling up your abilities, and upgrading your weapons.

If you loved the combat mechanics in Ghost of Yōtei, you’ll definitely enjoy Most Wanted. The overall concept is straightforward and incredibly fun if you’re willing to put in the time. While there are some difficulty options, the mode is still challenging, and you’ll be pushed to the limit regardless of the settings. The consistent waves of enemies will keep you on your toes, giving you an adrenaline rush reacting quickly during these intense showdowns. This is the beauty behind this mode, and why the idea works so well.

I do, however, want to caution fans who are eager to play as Jin. If you were hoping to start playing as him right away, you might be disappointed by all the grinding needed to unlock him. It took me a few hours and a couple of lengthy runs to access him. By then, I had already defeated most of the Yotei Six, but of course I also could replay those bounties. Midway through a run, you’ll see an option to open 1 of 2 chests for additional rewards. These are helpful and make some of the grinding more manageable. On the plus side, Jin has the same four signature fighting stances from the previous game, making it fun to switch between them during intense encounters.

Would I recommend checking out Most Wanted? If you’re already planning to get Ghost of Yōtei Complete Edition, then yes, this is some nice bonus content to dive into. The brutally satisfying combat and unrelenting waves of enemies will keep you engaged for as long as you want. I expect to see these survival mode features in future PlayStation first-party titles, and when executed correctly, they can add more compelling content to an already exciting experience. Let us know if you plan on checking out this mode.

This preview was written based on Ghost of Yōtei Most Wanted access provided by Sucker Punch Productions and Sony Interactive Entertainment.