PlayStation appears highly confident in Ghost of Yotei, with review copies already being distributed and a global embargo scheduled well ahead of release. According to Geoff Keighley, who confirmed receiving a copy for review, the embargo is set to lift on Thursday, September 25 at 9 a.m. ET / 6 a.m. PT. Given that the game officially launches on October 2, this leaves more than a week for critics to share their impressions before players can get their hands on it.
Such an early review window is often seen as a positive indicator for a game’s quality. Publishers typically allow critics additional time with a title when they are confident that it will be received well. Ghost of Yotei has been in development for several years, and this decision suggests that Sony believes the final version is polished enough to stand on its own well before launch day.
While anticipation is building, some details remain under wraps. There is currently no information regarding the download size or when pre-loads will begin, though pre-loads usually unlock a few days prior to release. As for our own coverage, review access has not yet been granted, meaning impressions may either arrive alongside the embargo or post-launch, depending on when codes are distributed.
Beyond embargo news, recent updates to the official PlayStation website revealed fresh details about Ghost of Yotei’s world. Players will face a roster of villains known as the Yotei Six, each with unique fighting styles. Names such as The Snake, The Kitsune, The Oni, The Spider, The Dragon, and Lord Saito mark the core adversaries of protagonist Atsu’s journey.
Combat will allow for a mix of melee and ranged weapons, ranging from traditional katana and odachi to the versatile kusarigama. Long-range options include bows, matchlock rifles, and various tools like kunai and smoke bombs. On the technical side, the PlayStation 5 version takes advantage of features such as Tempest 3D Audio, fast load times with the SSD, adaptive triggers, and haptic feedback to heighten immersion.
Pre-order bonuses include a cosmetic set with avatars, masks, and exclusive in-game gear, while the Collector’s Edition expands on this with deluxe armor, mounts, and a traveler’s map.
Ghost of Yotei, developed by Sucker Punch Productions and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment, serves as a standalone sequel to Ghost of Tsushima. The game is set to launch on October 2, 2025, exclusively for PlayStation 5.
