Sucker Punch Productions’ Ghost of Yōtei unfolds across a vast, richly detailed world. Wandering its landscapes is an ideal way to while away an afternoon, and attentive players will uncover a number of tasteful Easter eggs. The studio’s earlier work receives several affectionate nods, with the series’ previous entry, 2020’s Ghost of Tsushima, getting the most prominent tribute.
Ed. note: This article contains spoilers for a late-game Ghost of Yōtei quest.
Depending on how you approach the main story, the side quest “The Storm Blade” can take some time to reach. It becomes available in Oshima Coast after Atsu defeats the Oni and the Kitsune—two members of the Yōtei Six—during the principal narrative. The quest is named for the katana that the storyteller Ugetsu asks Atsu to locate; he cannot place which legend belongs to the weapon until he sees it in person.
During the mission, Atsu finds a haiku penned by Jin that hints at his isolation. She then explores the Lost Shinobi Den, where Jin’s helmet rests, before discovering the Storm Blade itself. Her attempt to claim the sword is interrupted when a band of Nine Tails ambushes her—she defeats two foes, then pursues a third who flees with the katana. The chase leads her past Jin’s former dwelling and to a site labeled the Grave of the Warrior of Storm. After a final duel with the remaining Nine Tails at Jin’s gravesite, the blade becomes hers.
Ugetsu appears to study the weapon and recounts a condensed version of Jin’s tale from Ghost of Tsushima: a hero who abandoned strict samurai codes to become a shinobi in order to repel a Mongol invasion, then became an outlaw. According to the storyteller, Jin later vanished to Ezo and spent his final days in the shadow of Mount Yōtei—at least, that is how the legend goes.
Once the mythic thread is complete, players can take Jin’s mask from the gravemarker and spend time investigating his nearby home. The cottage is dense with small details and hidden references—some items even offer hints about Jin’s supposed life in Ezo. The whole sequence reads as a warm, respectful homage to the first game, and there’s also a charming Easter egg dedicated to the development team.
Source: Polygon
