Is there too much climbing in Ghost of Yotei? Sucker Punch explained why they did it

Since launch the title has been praised for its atmosphere, sense of freedom, and richly realized world, yet many players have criticized the sheer volume of climbing sequences. The developers say this design choice was intentional — meant to convey both a feeling of liberty and the rugged contours of the region.

Creative director Jason Connell explained in an interview that the studio deliberately prioritized the landscape’s verticality.

“There is a philosophy of freedom in that — which is why we poured so much attention into the climbing mechanics.”

The team rejected supernatural traversal tricks to preserve realism, and instead broadened the range of quieter activities: exploration and meaningful interactions with nature and the surroundings.

According to Connell, Hokkaido’s steep slopes are not obstacles but opportunities to reward persistence. Climbs often culminate at shrines with stunning panoramas, while descents and slides add momentum and variety. Thus the island’s “epic verticality” became a core facet of the adventure, giving Ghost of Yotei its distinctive character.

Source: iXBT.games