Ghost of Yotei releases on October 2, 2025 at 12 AM local time in most regions worldwide. US players get a special advantage—West Coast gamers can start playing at 9 PM PT on October 1, while East Coast unlocks at midnight ET. Preloading began September 25 with an 85.1 GB download size, and there's no early access for any edition.
| Quick Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Release Date | October 2, 2025 |
| Global Unlock | 12 AM Local Time |
| US East Coast | 12 AM EDT (October 2) |
| US West Coast | 9 PM PDT (October 1) |
| Preload Start | September 25, 2025 |
| File Size | 85.119 GB |
| Early Access | None Available |
| Platform | PS5 Exclusive |
After five years of anticipation since Ghost of Tsushima captivated millions, Sucker Punch Productions is ready to deliver another masterpiece. I've been tracking every detail about this release, and let me tell you—the hype is absolutely justified. With <a href="https://www.metacritic.com/game/ghost-of-yotei/" target="_blank">Metacritic scores hitting 87</a> and critics calling it a "generational masterpiece," Ghost of Yotei isn't just meeting expectations; it's shattering them.
Contents
In this comprehensive guide, I'll break down exactly when you can start playing Ghost of Yotei in your time zone, what you need to know about preloading, and everything else that'll help you jump into Atsu's revenge quest the moment it goes live.
Ghost of Yotei follows a midnight local time release for virtually every region on the planet. This means the instant your clock strikes 12:00 AM on October 2, 2025, you'll be able to boot up the game and begin Atsu's journey through 1603 Ezo (modern-day Hokkaido).
Here's your comprehensive guide to when Ghost of Yotei unlocks around the world:
Asia-Pacific Region:
Europe & UK:
Americas:
Here's where things get interesting for American players. Unlike the rest of the world, the United States doesn't follow the standard "midnight local time" rule. Instead, Ghost of Yotei's release is tied to midnight Eastern Time, which creates a rolling unlock across US time zones.
United States Release Schedule:
This means West Coast players score a massive win—you'll be playing Ghost of Yotei a full three hours before midnight hits your region. That's three extra hours to explore Ezo, hunt down the first member of the Yōtei Six, and immerse yourself in what critics are calling one of the most beautiful open worlds ever created.
If you've been following gaming releases, you've probably noticed New Zealand consistently gets games before anyone else. It's not favoritism—it's pure geography. New Zealand sits on the UTC+12 or UTC+13 time zone (depending on daylight saving), making it one of the first places on Earth to reach any given date.
When it's midnight October 2 in Auckland, it's still:
Some savvy players have been known to change their PlayStation Store region to New Zealand to access games earlier, but this violates PlayStation's Terms of Service and could result in account penalties. My advice? Just wait your turn—the game will be worth it.
Unlike what some early reports suggested, Ghost of Yotei DOES support preloading, and it started on September 25, 2025—a full week before the official launch. This is crucial information because you definitely don't want to be staring at a download progress bar when the game unlocks.
<a href="https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/ghost-of-yotei-preload-guide-release-date-file-size-and-more/" target="_blank">Ghost of Yotei weighs in at exactly 85.119 GB</a> (version 01.002.000) on PS5. To put this in perspective:
That's more than double the original game's size, reflecting the expanded world, enhanced next-gen graphics, increased weapon variety, and all the technical improvements Sucker Punch has implemented. The larger size also suggests we're getting significantly more content than Ghost of Tsushima offered.
Pro Tip: Make sure you have at least 90-95 GB of free space on your PS5. There will likely be a day-one patch that could add several additional gigabytes to the installation.
Preloading is available for all pre-order customers, regardless of which edition you purchased. Here's the step-by-step process:
If auto-download doesn't trigger, you can manually start the download:
Once downloaded, the game will remain locked until the official release time in your region. The moment the clock strikes your unlock time, you can launch directly into the game without any additional waiting.
In an era where deluxe editions often grant 2-3 days of early access, Ghost of Yotei breaks from this trend. There is absolutely no early access period for any edition of the game, including the $249.99 Collector's Edition.
This is consistent with Sony's first-party release strategy. Games like Spider-Man 2, Horizon Forbidden West, and the original Ghost of Tsushima also launched simultaneously for all players regardless of which edition they purchased.
While you can't play early, premium edition buyers still receive exclusive bonuses:
Standard Edition ($69.99):
Digital Deluxe Edition ($79.99):
Collector's Edition ($249.99):
The Collector's Edition is particularly stunning for display purposes, but from a gameplay advantage standpoint, everyone starts on equal footing come October 2.
With review embargoes lifting on September 25, 2025, we now have a clear picture of how Ghost of Yotei stacks up, and the consensus is overwhelmingly positive.
For comparison, the original Ghost of Tsushima launched with:
Ghost of Yotei has surpassed its predecessor by 4-5 points across major aggregators, which is remarkable for a sequel to an already critically acclaimed game.
Reviewers are praising several key improvements:
Expanded Combat System: Atsu wields multiple weapon types including dual katanas, ōdachi (great swords), yari (spears), and kusarigama (chain-sickles). The combat has been described as "the best in any open-world game" with fluid weapon switching and devastating combos.
Stunning Visuals: Multiple outlets have called Ghost of Yotei "one of the first PS5 games to feel truly boundary-pushing." The game leverages ray-traced global illumination, 4K/60 FPS performance mode, and some of the most photorealistic environments ever seen in gaming.
Stronger Narrative: Atsu's revenge story against the Yōtei Six has been praised for its emotional depth. The innovative mechanic that lets you glimpse Atsu's traumatic past by pressing a button at her childhood home adds powerful narrative context.
Improved Open World: Critics note that Ghost of Yotei "almost rids itself of Tsushima's bloat," offering a more focused experience with better pacing and more meaningful side content.
Digital Trends (10/10): "Ghost of Yotei is one of the best games I've ever played. From top to bottom, beginning to end, it is the epitome of what Triple-A game developers should strive for."
IGN (9/10): "Ghost of Yotei is a confident sequel that grows from its predecessor in smart ways, with a bigger, bolder, more beautiful world to explore."
GameSpot (9/10): "Ghost of Yotei builds and improves upon its predecessor with a gripping story, rewarding exploration, and fantastic combat."
GamesRadar+ (4.5/5): "Atsu is one of the best protagonists in gaming history... a must-play revenge fantasy."
Not every review is perfect—some critics felt the revenge plot was predictable and that certain open-world mechanics feel dated compared to innovations in games like Elden Ring. However, the overwhelming majority agree that Ghost of Yotei is an exceptional experience and a worthy successor to Ghost of Tsushima.
Ghost of Yotei is launching as a PlayStation 5 exclusive on October 2, 2025. It's developed by Sucker Punch Productions, a first-party PlayStation Studios developer, which means:
Ghost of Tsushima took nearly four years to arrive on PC (2020 PS4 release, 2024 PC release). Based on Sony's current PC porting strategy, we might see Ghost of Yotei on PC sometime around 2028-2029.
The game is built from the ground up for PS5 hardware, featuring:
One of Ghost of Tsushima's most beloved features was Kurosawa Mode, which transformed the game into a black-and-white homage to classic samurai cinema. Ghost of Yotei not only brings this back but adds exciting new options:
The classic black-and-white film grain filter returns, perfect for players who want that authentic Akira Kurosawa experience. Combined with Japanese audio, this creates an incredibly immersive samurai film atmosphere.
This is the feature I'm most excited about. Inspired by legendary director Shinichirō Watanabe (Samurai Champloo, Cowboy Bebop), Watanabe Mode plays a Lo-Fi hip-hop soundtrack throughout your gameplay. Watanabe himself directed the music for this mode, creating a unique fusion of feudal Japan aesthetics with contemporary chill beats.
All visual modes are purely cosmetic and don't affect gameplay—you can switch between them anytime during your playthrough.
Ghost of Yotei's narrative centers on Atsu's quest for vengeance against the gang that murdered her family sixteen years ago. These six antagonists form the game's core structure:
What makes this system brilliant is you choose the order in which to hunt them down. This non-linear approach to main story missions gives players unprecedented freedom in how they experience the narrative, similar to Breath of the Wild's approach to Divine Beasts but with a darker, more personal revenge framework.
Each member of the Yōtei Six has their own territory, personality, and fighting style, creating memorable boss encounters throughout your journey.
While Ghost of Yotei launches with only single-player content, <a href="https://blog.playstation.com/2025/04/23/ghost-of-yotei-comes-to-playstation-5-on-october-2" target="_blank">Sucker Punch has confirmed</a> that Ghost of Yotei: Legends will release in 2025+1 as a free DLC update.
Legends mode transforms Ghost of Yotei into a co-op multiplayer experience inspired by Japanese mythology. Based on what made Ghost of Tsushima: Legends successful, we can expect:
Two-Player Story Campaign: Narrative-driven missions designed for cooperative play with unique supernatural threats.
Four-Player Survival Mode: Wave-based defensive gameplay where teams fight off increasingly difficult enemies while protecting objectives.
Character Classes: Multiple specialized roles with unique abilities and progression systems.
Mythological Enemies: Expect Oni demons, Tengu warriors, and other creatures from Japanese folklore—enemies you won't encounter in the single-player campaign.
The original Legends mode was surprisingly robust, receiving ongoing support for over a year with new missions, gear, and challenges. If Sucker Punch follows a similar roadmap, Legends could extend Ghost of Yotei's lifespan well into 2025+2.
With just days until release, here's everything you should do to ensure a smooth launch experience:
2025 has been an absolutely stacked year for gaming. We've seen massive releases like Hades 2, Hollow Knight: Silksong, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, and Death Stranding 2. Ghost of Yotei enters this crowded field as one of the few remaining PlayStation exclusives of the year.
What makes Ghost of Yotei particularly significant:
It's a complete standalone story—you don't need to play Ghost of Tsushima first. Atsu's tale takes place 300 years after Jin Sakai's adventures, making this the perfect entry point for newcomers.
It showcases PS5's full potential—Five years into the console's lifecycle, this is one of the first games that truly feels "next-gen" in every aspect from visuals to loading times to haptic feedback implementation.
It proves single-player games still dominate—In an industry increasingly focused on live-service multiplayer experiences, Ghost of Yotei reminds us why narrative-driven single-player adventures remain the heart of gaming.
GTA VI won't overshadow it—With Grand Theft Auto VI delayed to 2025+1, Ghost of Yotei has breathing room to dominate the holiday conversation without competing against gaming's biggest release.
The Ghost of Yotei community is vibrant and welcoming. Here's where to engage with fellow players:
Official Discord Server (<a href="https://discord.com/invite/yotei" target="_blank">discord.gg/yotei</a>)
The community-run server for r/ghostofyotei, r/ghostoftsushima, and r/gotlegends. Features contests, leveling systems, seasonal events, and one of the most active Legends communities. Perfect for finding co-op partners when Legends mode launches in 2025+1.
Reddit Communities
Official Channels
Content Creation Communities
Ghost of Yotei releases at midnight local time on October 2, 2025 for most regions. In the United States, it unlocks at 12 AM EDT (9 PM PDT, 10 PM MDT, 11 PM CDT on October 1). New Zealand gets access first as the earliest time zone to reach October 2.
Yes! Preloading began on September 25, 2025 for all pre-order customers. The game is 85.119 GB, so make sure you have at least 90-95 GB of free space to account for potential day-one patches.
No. Ghost of Yotei has no early access period for any edition, including the $249.99 Collector's Edition. Everyone starts playing simultaneously at midnight local time on October 2, 2025.
No. Ghost of Yotei is a standalone story set 300 years after Ghost of Tsushima with a completely new protagonist (Atsu) and no narrative connection to Jin Sakai's story. You can jump right into Ghost of Yotei without any prior knowledge.
Ghost of Yotei is exclusively available on PlayStation 5 at launch. There are no plans for Xbox or Nintendo Switch releases. A PC version may come several years later, similar to how Ghost of Tsushima arrived on PC four years after its PS4 release.
The main story takes approximately 40-50 hours to complete. With side quests, exploration, collectibles, and all activities, completionists can expect 100+ hours of content.
Not at launch. Ghost of Yotei: Legends, a free co-op multiplayer mode, will be added in 2025+1 featuring two-player story missions and four-player survival modes inspired by Japanese mythology.
Standard Edition ($69.99) includes the full game plus pre-order bonuses. Digital Deluxe ($79.99) adds exclusive armor sets, horse customization, and early unlock of Traveler's Maps. Collector's Edition ($249.99) includes everything from Digital Deluxe plus physical collectibles like Atsu's mask replica, sash, and art cards.
Yes! Ghost of Yotei features full Japanese voice acting with English subtitles. You can switch between English and Japanese audio at any time in the settings menu.
Ghost of Yotei requires a PlayStation 5 console with at least 90 GB of free storage space. It supports both Performance Mode (4K/60fps) and Quality Mode (enhanced visuals with ray tracing) on standard PS5. PS5 Pro owners will see additional enhancements.
After five years of waiting, analyzing hundreds of critic reviews, and watching countless hours of gameplay footage, I can confidently say: Yes, Ghost of Yotei absolutely lives up to the hype.
This isn't just a safe sequel that plays it by the numbers. Sucker Punch has refined every aspect of what made Ghost of Tsushima special while addressing its weaknesses. The combat is deeper, the world is more beautiful, the narrative is more focused, and the technical achievement on display is staggering.
At $69.99 for the standard edition, you're getting 40-50 hours of main story content plus easily 100+ hours if you engage with side content, exploration, and Photo Mode. That's exceptional value for a single-player AAA experience.
Whether you're a returning Ghost of Tsushima fan or someone completely new to Sucker Punch's samurai universe, Ghost of Yotei offers something special—a masterfully crafted revenge tale set in one of gaming's most breathtaking open worlds.
The countdown is almost over. Sharpen your katanas. Atsu's revenge begins October 2, 2025.