Excitement is building for Ghost of Yōtei. But with writers from The Veilguard and Anthem involved, will the narrative live up to expectations?

As we move into 2025, the buzz surrounding the Ghost of Yōtei has become palpable. Players are really excited about the sequel which is going to be set in 1603 Hokkaido, Japan, 329 years after the events of Ghost of Tsushima. This time, players are following a new fierce female warrior, Atsu.

Players are excited about the 2025 release. | Image Credit: Sucker Punch

The stakes are high, as expected. However, just when everything was sailing smoothly, news broke that two writers from Dragon Age: The Veilguard and Anthem are part of the team, raising some concerns. These writers come with a bit of baggage and as we all know, narrative is everything in a game like this.

Ghost of Yōtei: A new era for the series and the writing team

The involvement of the two writers has raised concerns. | Image Credit: Sucker Punch

It is clear from the get-go that Ghost of Yōtei is already forging its own path, seeking to leave Ghost of Tsushima behind. With Atsu at the helm, players will explore a new protagonist’s journey, making choices that impact the world around her as she steps into the early Edo period.

From what the developers have hinted, players will be introduced to an open world that is more immersive and detailed. Additionally, with the ability to shape the narrative of the protagonist, it sounds like a perfect evolution of the series.

However, here’s where things become a little concerning. While Atsu’s character and the setting seem like a win, it’s the writing team behind her story that raises alarms in the back of their heads.

Recently, we learned that John Dombrow and Courtney Woods were two writers previously involved with Dragon Age: The Veilguard and Anthem. While these two titles had massive potential, their narratives left a lot to be desired.

Not only did both the games’ stories fail to connect to players, but it also made the world-building lackluster. It’s safe to say, that their past narrative work doesn’t exactly inspire confidence, especially for a story-driven game like Yōtei.

Welp that’s another thing that bites the dust for me

— AKAustinTTV (@AKAustin01) February 2, 2025

After seeing this players were cautious as the narrative plays a very big role in single-player games. With Ghost of Yōtei promising a rich, emotionally charged journey, fans are hoping that the narrative won’t fall into the same traps that these writers’ previous projects did.

The challenge of meeting expectations

Writing needs to prove itself, otherwise the series will suffer. | Image Credit: Sucker Punch

There’s also the issue of expectations. As much as fans are excited about the new protagonist and the new setting, there’s always a lingering desire to see Jin Sakai’s story continue. After all, players invested so much time in his journey, that it’s tough to let go of the hope that his saga will continue.

The shift to Hokkaido and the Edo period brings a welcome change, but it’s still a little jarring for those hoping to see how Jin’s path unfolds. Players are cautiously optimistic, but here’s the thing: if Yōtei doesn’t hit the narrative highs of Tsushima, it could be a major letdown.

The pressure is on. Even though the gameplay looks amazing, and the setting is rich with possibilities, without an engaging, emotionally resonant story combining them all, it could not only fall short but also cast a shadow on the celebrated series.

Sucker Punch Productions has a lot riding on Yōtei, especially as it is a PS exclusive. While Dombrow and Woods aren’t the only ones working on the narrative, the question remains whether the studio can overcome the writers’ recent track record and craft a narrative that lives up to the high standards.

In the end, even though some players are worried, and for good reasons, there is still some enthusiasm in the community. They are waiting to see if the new title can challenge the epic and emotional impact the predecessor left on the players.