Prior to the release of *Ghost of Yotei*, Sucker Punch made a concerted effort to assure players that the game’s open world would be bursting with meaningful activities. This promise isn’t new—it’s something I adored about their previous game—but I was curious about how they intended to improve on it.
Both *Ghost of Yotei* and its predecessor boast stunning worlds, without a doubt. However, beautiful environments alone don’t hold players’ attention for long. This is a common concern in almost all open-world games: the gameplay often becomes a slog. It’s not enjoyable to collect items just for the sake of achieving a platinum trophy. I want to genuinely enjoy the journey, with activities and collectibles that feel valuable and worthwhile.
### Meaningful Content Throughout the World
What sets *Ghost of Yotei* apart is the way its content carries equal weight. The cards that Atsu collects as she uncovers sidequest leads, Yotei Six hunts, and bounty missions are all neatly organized on the map screen. You can select a card, and it’ll direct you to the corresponding location.
One particularly brilliant addition is that the game shows exactly what reward you will receive for completing an activity right beneath the card’s description. I appreciate this feature, though I must admit it becomes a bit tempting—especially late at night—knowing that I could unlock a new armor set if I just play a little longer. The armor sets themselves are unique, both aesthetically and in the abilities they provide, but that’s a story for another time.
The crucial point is that sidequests aren’t treated as simple busywork or distractions; instead, they feel like worthy, intriguing avenues to explore as you traverse this beautiful world.
### Bounties That Tell Stories
I was particularly intrigued by the bounties. I love the game’s combat and cinematic duels, but initially worried that bounties would boil down to dozens of repetitive fights, where enemies are only visually distinct. Thankfully, that’s not the case. Each bounty presents a completely unique encounter.
Some of these missions weave emotional narratives—like the sad tale of the Blue Yamauba and her family tragedy. Others require unexpected objectives, such as playing music to various groups to lure out an assassin who detests the sound of the shamisen.
I found myself eagerly taking on each bounty, not just for rewards or completion, but to experience the individual stories. My personal favorite was the mission with Shiro the Swindler, where we storm a fortress brimming with enemies to seize their cash stash. Shiro’s ultimate betrayal of Atsu was hilariously inevitable—after all, his name gave it away—but the way it played out was genuinely entertaining.
### Lavish Mythic Tales and Rewarding Armor Sets
The *Mythic Tales* take storytelling and gameplay even further. Much like those in *Ghost of Tsushima*, these quests are presented with lavish intro cutscenes, feature creative and unique objectives, and culminate in challenging battles against legendary warriors.
Completing Mythic Tales typically rewards you with exclusive armor sets that offer unique abilities—perfect for tailoring Atsu to fit your preferred playstyle. For example, as someone who enjoys stealthy kusarigama assassinations (which boast brutally satisfying animations), I was thrilled to discover the Crimson Kimono armor set. It dramatically increases the range at which these stealth kills can be performed.
These exclusive armor skills can influence how you approach combat and exploration, which makes investing time in side content consistently worthwhile in *Ghost of Yotei*.
### Sidequests with Heart and Impact
Regular sidequests, or *Tales*, also leave a significant impact. While their rewards typically comprise cash or cosmetics rather than grand armor sets, many of these short adventures are deeply touching.
One standout moment involved calming a baby bear with music and leading it safely down a mountainside. Another saw me helping a terrified father defend his wife from Oni Raiders as she gave birth in a nearby cave. Although some Tales only take about ten minutes, Sucker Punch does an excellent job of quickly endearing players to various NPCs.
I stumbled upon the latter quest while speeding along on horseback—a common occurrence in this game—and was delighted when the new parents named their daughter Atsu in my honor. In many games, NPCs feel static and just serve to fill the world with dialogue. While *Ghost of Yotei* does have its share of these, it also features characters who genuinely enrich its world.
Atsu’s fight isn’t simply about vengeance; it’s about survival in a harsh world. Many others, like the parents, share this struggle. Taking a break from hunting the heads of the Yotei Six to help them felt refreshing and rewarding.
### Repetitive Tasks with Tangible Benefits
Some tasks, such as bamboo strikes and bathing in hot springs, can become somewhat repetitive. However, maintaining these activities as you explore different regions offers real benefits: increased maximum health and spirit circles, which are invaluable.
Even on the standard difficulty, enemies are numerous and aggressive, with boss encounters especially posing serious challenges if you aren’t consistent with dodging and parrying. While expert players may breeze through these fights, I appreciated watching Atsu grow steadily stronger as I explored the world.
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In summary, *Ghost of Yotei* masterfully balances a captivating open world with side content that feels meaningful, varied, and emotionally resonant. Whether through deeply personal sidequests, unique bounty encounters, or rewarding armor sets tied to ambitious Mythic Tales, the game keeps players engaged and invested long after the main story beckons.
https://www.dualshockers.com/ghost-of-yotei-great-side-quests/
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