Sonyhas dropped a brutal gameplay teaser forGhost of Yotei,and everyone’s eyes are fixed on one thing, the killing effectiveness of the yari. The Japanese spear, which is deadly in length, is going to change combat in the next open-world samurai classic.
Ghost of Yōtei Reveals A New Combat Style
Ghost of Yoteiis the spiritual successor toGhost of Tsushima, but already from this clip it’s clear that it’s not simply taking the same path. Here, every weapon has its own individuality, its own rhythm, personality, and philosophy.
That quick bridge fight in the trailer was the direct message, yari is not flashy sword fighting, it’s control, precision, and crushing blow. Every strike is calculated, every move planned to overwhelm the battle.
In the gameplay video, Atsu, the game’s protagonist, charges into a group of enemies along the snowy bridge. Here is a masterclass of spear fighting: a quick stab that goes directly through one bandit’s chest, a wide swing that slices another enemy in half, and a perfectly timed kick that knocks an enemy off into the depths.
The yari’s long reach allowsAtsuto keep her enemies at a distance, forcing them to engage on her terms. This control over space turns chaotic group fights into moments of pure tactical dominance. It’s not about brute strength or raw speed; it’s about hitting with precision at exactly the right moment.
All of the movements shown incorporate aggression with control. There is no movement that isn’t needed, no unnecessary flourish. The yari doesn’t care for beauty, it’s meant for one purpose—to end the fighting quickly and efficiently.
A Story of Revenge in a Living World
Ghost of Yoteiis set in northern Japan in 1603 and followsAtsu, a rōnin turned onryo (spirited vengeance), as she hunts down the six men who slaughtered her family. It’s a tale firmly rooted in Japanese lore, blending supernatural occurrences with gritty real-life historical drama.
The mountains surrounding Mount Yōtei vibrate with a sense of energy, snow-covered woods, the ethereal northern lights, and starry expanses that stretch on forever and give the world the appearance of something more than a mere backdrop. It’s stunning, but treacherous, beckoning both discovery and battle around every corner.
This is not an action game, this is an atmospheric experience. The environments, coupled with the ghostly presence ofAtsu, make a game that’s half samurai movie, half ghost tale.
How the Yari Makes a Difference
The yari is only one of Atsu’s tools. The kusarigama, odachi, tanegashima, and twin katanas will also be mastered by players, each giving a distinct flavor of fighting style, from the long-distance reach of the spear to the haste of twin swords.
Fighting inGhost of Yoteiis designed to be a cinematic experience, drawing heavily from the choreography of classic samurai films. Expect set pieces that are bloody and kinetic, yet also tastefully staged, oscillating between form and chaos.
WhenGhost of Yoteidrops, it’ll be accompanied by a lot more than brutal combat. With its graphic modes likeKurosawa, Miike, and Watanabe Mode, and the shamisen exploration themes so evocative of Zelda’s Ocarina, it’s shaping up to be one of 2025’s unmissable drops.
