Summary
As one of the most anticipated games of 2025 and the successor to one of the best games of the last five years,Ghost of Yoteihas a lot riding on it when it comes to its open world. Despite its repetitive activities and somewhat predictable structure,Ghost of Tsushimastill offered players a fresh take on open-world video games, with a degree of immersion that many others in the genre have been unable to achieve. Needless to say,Ghost of Yoteihas a lot to live up to and improve, but Rockstar’sRed Dead Redemptionseries might have an element that could bringYotei’s world up a few notches.
Naturally, comparisons have been drawn betweenGhost of YoteiandRed Dead Redemption, as Japanese filmmakers like Kurosawa have painted samurai in a Western light and therefore established a thematic relationship between the two. EvenGhost of Yotei’s announcement trailerhas a Western vibe to it, with appropriately themed background music to boot. While much of this might be on account of protagonist Atsu’s outlaw status in 1603 Japan, it nonetheless opens the door even further forGhost of Yoteito incorporate one ofRed Dead Redemption’s best elements.
In just about every way, Rockstar’sRed Dead Redemptionseries, particularly the second entry, boasts some of the most realistic and immersive open worlds ever crafted. To this day, players are still finding little surprises inRed Dead Redemption 2’s worldthat prove just how far that realism goes, from NPCs appearing to take actual bites of food on the plate in front of them to fires spreading in realistic ways and puddles naturally forming when it rains. To complement this lifelike realism,Red Dead Redemption 2features plenty of life-sim activities for players to do when they’re not completing the game’s more demanding and rigorous tasks.
Despite having a compelling narrative that is more than worth witnessing,Red Dead Redemption 2all but demands that players slow down and enjoy the world around them. Even more than direct, materialistic rewards,Red Dead Redemption 2is perhaps most rewarding when players practice patience and observation rather than blindly progressing through quest objectives and stories. Withslow-paced, organic explorationand activities like fishing, hunting, and camping,Red Dead Redemption 2shows the power of slower moments by fostering a seamless connection between players and the environment.
Ghost of Yotei Is Built for More Than Combat
Now, with the example ofRed Dead Redemption 2in front of it, there is little reason whyGhost of Yoteiwouldn’t also feature plenty ofcozy, life-sim activities, as its world is built for more than combat.Ghost of Tsushimafeatured a variety of meditative activities for players to do — like haikus and hot springs — so it’s safe to assumeGhost of Yoteiwill go down the same road. However, it would be remiss not to look toRed Dead Redemption 2for even more inspiration.
Fishing, for example, would be a perfect activity inGhost of Yotei. During the Edo period, fishing was one of the most prominent leisure activities, and samurai would use it for both recreation and meditation. Lower-ranking samurai, like ronin, would even use fishing as a means of survival rather than sport. SinceGhost of Yotei’s Atsu is a ronin, fishing would fit her persona perfectly, regardless of whether it was for survival or meditative purposes.Red Dead Redemption 2’s approach to huntingwould also make sense inGhost of Yotei’s setting, as samurai would hunt for ceremony, sport, and prestige during that time period.
IfGhost of Yoteiwants to raise the bar set by its predecessor’s open world, then embracing the quiet, immersive design philosophy of Rockstar’sRed Dead Redemptionseries may be one of its smartest moves. Activities like fishing, hunting, and slow-paced exploration would give it a sense of historical authenticity while also connecting players to the environment and Atsu’s journey. These moments could give players space to reflect, breathe, and live in the world Sucker Punch is building, ensuringGhost of Yoteiis remembered as more than a repeat ofGhost of Tsushima’s open world.
