Ghost of Tsushima is Sucker Punch’s most successful game, which is partially due to the game’s setting during the Mongol invasion of Japan during its Kamakura period. The game’s historical accuracy, breathtaking visuals, combat system, and compelling characters and storyline have made it a classic for many gamers. One of the inspirations for Ghost of Tsushima is renowned filmmaker Akira Kurosawa, whose movies influenced entire generations of artists. In homage to Kurosawa, both Ghost of Tsushima and Ghost of Yotei include a special cinematic mode, which applies a filter to Ghost of Tsushima that mimics the visual and audio style of his movies.
Ghost of Yotei takes this one step further and includes additional modes that emulate the visual and audio styles of two of Japan’s most influential filmmakers. These modes transform the atmosphere and visual style of the games they’re featured, and give players an entirely different experience with each one used, each distinctly Japanese. This homage to Japanese cinema is a brilliant nod to the influences of some of Japan’s most influential filmmakers, and their impact on both the movie industry and Ghost of Yotei.
Related
Ghost of Yotei Will Be ‘Even Better’ Than Tsushima, According to Former PlayStation Exec
According to a major former PlayStation executive, Ghost of Yotei will impress players even more than the 2020 title Ghost of Tsushima.
The Kurosawa mode was incredibly popular among players, and Ghost of Yotei is taking the success of the cinema mode and running with it. In addition to Kurosawa mode, Ghost of Yotei will feature additional cinema modes by two other renowned Japanese filmmakers who have left their mark on the industry. Players will be able to apply Shinichiro Watanabe and Takashi Miike mode to Ghost of Yotei, both of which will give an entirely new experience to exploring Ezo Japan.
Takashi Miike is a controversial figure in Japanese cinema, as his movies are considered to be incredibly violent and deeply disturbing. A prolific filmmaker, he’s created over 100 movies in different genres, including children’s and adaptations such as Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure. However, he’s best known for his original movies, which feature heavy violence and disturbing imagery, and many of his movies are banned in the USA and EU territories.
Despite this, his movies have a distinct visual style, and he’s doubtless left his mark on Japanese cinema. Miike mode in Ghost of Yotei will lean into Miike’s visual style by bringing in the camera during fight scenes, as well as increasing the amount of blood and mud seen onscreen during combat. It is possible that Atsu’s fights could be more violent in Miike mode beyond its visuals, and may include dismemberment. Sucker Punch may pull back on the level of gore Miike is known for, but it’s likely that this mode may not be for sensitive players.
Watanabe is a legend in the Japanese cinema space, and is the creator for the anime series’ Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo. To honor Watanabe’s contribution to Japanese cinema, Ghost of Yotei will include a Watanabe mode that brings the lo-fi beats that are a distinguishing characteristic of Watanabe’s creations.
Sucker Punch worked with Watanabe on his cinema mode, and he directed original tracks for Ghost of Yotei. Players will be able to explore Ezo with the same style beats as Samurai Champloo. As Ghost of Yotei is set during the same time period as Samurai Champloo, Watanabe mode will revisit Samurai Champloo‘s iconic atmosphere and soundscape.
Finally, Kurosawa mode is returning to Ghost of Yotei. This mode will recreate the visual and audio style of Kurosawa’s samurai films, and will apply a black and white filter, film grain, an audio filter, and increased wind to mimic Kurosawa’s iconic style. Sucker Punch worked directly with Kurosawa’s estate to create this mode in homage to the iconic director.
October 2, 2025
Sony Interactive Entertainment
Single-player
October 2, 2025
