Hello and welcome to possibly the best graphics I’ve ever witnessed in a game. This won’t be easy, but I’m now going to try to describe the wondrous countryside of Ezo. An environment that has left me speechless at times. There has been some unbelievable scenery in gaming before. Ghost of Tsushima was a masterpiece, and I always felt that Red Dead Redemption 2 was the most immersive experience I’ve had. Yet, Ghost of Yotei might just top them all.
As I climbed to the top of Mount Yotei, I found myself asking whether I’d seen a better view in gaming. I haven’t completed the game yet, but I felt compelled to make a video focusing on the incredible graphics I’ve been experiencing and why I feel so immersed in the countryside of Japan. So, join me as I share with you some of the best landscapes I’ve seen so far in Ghost of Yotei, and what I’ve been up to playing as Atsu.
Enter the Great Outdoors of Ghost of Yotei
Ghost of Tsushima is one of my favourite games and has had a lasting impact on me. Years after completing it, I longed to be back in the countryside of Japan. So, when Ghost of Yotei was announced, I was hit with an unbearable amount of optimism and excitement. I’m not going to deny that I’d been counting down the days until its release, but the night before the 2nd of October felt like Christmas Eve to me. When I was finally able to load up the game, it felt really did feel like Christmas had come early.
Nothing could’ve prepared me for the world I was about to find myself in, or the way I would experience it.
After the emotional opening scenes, where we discover the reason for Atsu’s search for vengeance, the world opens up. You can ride your horse in whatever direction you desire, and I did. It didn’t take me long to remember the controls, and the time I’d spent waiting for the new game suddenly felt insignificant.
Just like in Ghost of Tsushima, the Ghost of Yotei introduction is emphatic. As you ride down the hill, with Mount Yotei glistening majestically in the background, you’re not quite sure where to look. The obvious place to start is the mountain itself, filling the landscape with the warm embrace of hope that we will probably end up climbing it. Then there is the vast degree of wildlife on show. The animals, from wild horses to birds, fill the screen with a welcome amount of dynamism. Mesmerised, I followed the white flowers down the hill, ensuring that I started the story with a burst of speed.
Every Colour from the Rainbow
My favourite aspect of the countryside in the ‘Ghost’ games, though, will always be the colourful scenery. The wide array of colours on show is mind-boggling. Some of the most beautiful flowers I’ve ever seen are just waiting to be witnessed. Each area seems to be marked with a different colour of the purest vibrancy. I find myself wanting to explore every blade of grass before proceeding with the story.
Playing Ghost of Tsushima and now Ghost of Yotei has convinced me of one thing: I must visit the Japanese countryside at least once in my lifetime.
When I did proceed with the story, I was struck by the impressive art style. Every scene is so dramatic, and Ghost of Yotei certainly wouldn’t look out of place if it were screened in the cinema. I think people use the phrase ‘absolute cinema’ these days. The cutscenes look tremendous, and when you factor in the soundtrack, it’s easy to find yourself immediately immersed in Atsu’s revenge story. From what I’ve played so far, it certainly feels like almost every aspect of Ghost of Tsushima has been polished and improved to make Ghost of Yotei feel even more satisfying than its predecessor.
Welcome to the Future of Gaming
Ezo is a remarkably beautiful place, but graphics aren’t the only tool game designers use to immerse gamers in the world they’ve created.
I’ll cover the combat and story in more detail when I complete and review the game, but there are some activities I’d like to highlight here.
Firstly, there is camping. In some games, camping means pressing a button to camp in the wilderness, before your character sleeps for a certain amount of time, and the game saves your destination. Not in Ghost of Yotei, though. This is the first game I’ve played where the touchpad is so frequently used. You can practice playing the Shamisen by strumming on the touchpad, or you can chat with weary travellers who may have information about the Yotei six.
My favourite activity by far, though, is cooking food on the fire by moving the controller up and down. You risk burning your freshly caught fish if you hold it downwards for too long, and you have to keep flipping your mushrooms to make sure they’re edible. I also had fun shaping the tools with fire and a hammer. What a time to be alive!
Does Ghost of Yotei Display the Best Graphics I’ve Ever Seen?
I think so, yes. It’s not really about the definition of the views in the distance, or the ridiculous depth of the colours. There have been many games that have mastered those elements.
Instead, it’s the dynamic nature of the wildlife coupled with the fluidity of the countryside that I’ve never experienced before.
Yes, Ghost of Tsushima showed us the potential for such beauty, but Ghost of Yotei on the PlayStation 5 has transported us from the past into the future of gaming. A future which now seems full of dynamic optimism and vibrant hope. Who knows? We may even be playing on a touchpad. Anyway, I’ve had enough of the real world. I’ll be back in Ezo if you need me.
The YouTube video for this blog post will be posted at 6 pm BST. Link: https://youtu.be/xBO64wndlm0
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