Ghost of Yoteiis the sequel to Sucker Punch’s hit gameGhost of Tsushima. It will take place over 300 years afterGhost of Tsushima, in the early years of the Edo period. Sucker Punch surprised many players by settingGhost of Yoteihundreds of years afterGhost of Tsushima, and had originally expected a sequel game to include Jin in some capacity. Instead, the series seems as if it will feature standalone protagonists. If so, the sequel toGhost of Yoteicould look to Japan’s classical period as its setting.
Japan’s history is categorized into different periods, which were based on the political system that was dominant at the time, or by major events. For example, the Sengoku period was a time in history that was defined by civil wars, with its name meaning “Warring States period”.Ghost of Tsushimatakes place in 1274, during the Kamakura period. This period was known for the emergence of the samurai class, the beginnings of feudalism in Japan, and the invasion of the Mongols. Meanwhile,Ghost of Yoteitakes place in 1603, the first year of the Edo period, but would likely overlap with the Azuchi–Momoyama period during Atsu’s flashbacks of her childhood. All in all, Sucker Punch still has a lot of historical periods to tap into.
Setting Ghost of Yotei’s Sequel in Japan’s Distant Past
Rather thansettingGhost of Yotei’s sequel some years after its events, Sucker Punch could set it in the past, beforeGhost of Tsushima’s Kamakura period setting. As the Kamakura period was the first historical period in feudal Japan, going further back would mean setting the next game in Classical Japan.
Much of Japan’s culture was formed during its classical years, which began with the Asuka period in 538, and ended with the Heian period, which ended in 1185. Classical Japan today is viewed as a time of cultural development, and saw the arrival of Chinese writing, the development of Japan’s own writing system, poetry, literature, music, silk production, and art. However, this time period also saw political upheaval, with different clans vying for the throne, which was further complicated by the arrival of Buddhism.
Japan’s Classical Period Has a Wealth of Potential For a Ghost of Yotei Sequel
Asuka Period (538–710)
The Asuka period is the first in Japan’s classical history. The Soga clan were the dominant power for much of the Asuka period, but were overthrown in a coup, known as the Isshi Incident. If the successor toGhost of Yoteisteps away from its themes of revenge, a coup for the throne could be the perfect backdrop, and would lean more into stealth and assassination gameplay, rather than the samurai gameplay of the previous games. Players could possibly have to choose which side to support, all while set in a Japan that is just beginning to grow into the country that people know today.
Heian Period (794–1185)
The Heian period was the last period of Classical Japan, and could be theperfect setting for aGhost of Yoteisequel. A game set during this period could possibly depict ancient Kyoto, one of the most iconic cities in Japan. This period saw some turmoil, particularly in its later years when the authority of the imperial court began to be challenged by noble families and landowners. Noble families began to hire samurai to protect their interests, resulting in the emergence of the samurai as a class during the next Kamakura period. AGhost of Yoteigame set during the Heian period could draw on this conflict, and possibly have the protagonist be a samurai who is hired by a noble family, while also bringing in the political intrigue of the court.
