Waiting for Ghost of Yotei feels like standing at the edge of a snow-capped peak, eager to step into legend. Instead of idly replaying old favorites, you can walk a purposeful journey on the Player’s Path to Ghost of Yotei.
This series charts five games that define the roots of stealth assassins, cinematic sword duels, open-world samurai storytelling, and the mythic side of Japanese folklore. Each step on the path shows how the genre evolved into the experience we’re expecting from Ghost of Yotei.
Tenchu: Stealth Assassins (1998)
Before cinematic open worlds, there was stealth in the shadows. Tenchu: Stealth Assassins pioneered silent infiltration, grappling-hook traversal, and precision assassinations in historical Japanese settings — mechanics that still influence the genre today.
Takeaway: Experience the original stealth-ninja foundation that inspired generations of Japanese action games.
Onimusha: Warlords (2001)
Capcom’s Onimusha brought cinematic swordplay to the Sengoku era, blending historical drama with supernatural forces. Its tense duels and feudal-era setting helped establish the tone for samurai narratives in games.
Takeaway: See how early action games mixed sword duels and myth to create a dramatic samurai experience.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice (2019)
FromSoftware’s Sekiro modernized precision sword combat with posture-breaking duels, vertical exploration, and intense difficulty. Its mix of stealth, mobility, and deadly blades elevated the samurai-ninja fantasy to a new level.
Takeaway: Learn the art of precise parries and vertical traversal that define modern Japanese-inspired action.
Ghost of Tsushima (2020)
Sucker Punch’s Ghost of Tsushima is the benchmark for open-world samurai storytelling. It combined cinematic duels, fluid stealth, and a beautiful, exploration-driven world steeped in Japanese history and legend.
Takeaway: Witness the definitive blueprint for open-world samurai epics that Ghost of Yotei will seek to honor and evolve.
Nioh 2 (2020)
Koei Tecmo’s Nioh 2 delivers a darker, myth-infused vision of Japan. Blending yokai-hunting combat with deep RPG builds and punishing boss fights, it reveals the mystical side of samurai tales — a tone Ghost of Yotei may echo.
Takeaway: Embrace the supernatural and skill-based combat that brings Japan’s folklore to life in brutal battles.
Recap: The Player’s Path to Ghost of Yotei
| Order | Game | Role in the Path | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tenchu: Stealth Assassins | The stealth-ninja foundation | 1998 |
| 2 | Onimusha: Warlords | Cinematic sword duels and mythic Sengoku drama | 2001 |
| 3 | Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice | Precision swordplay and vertical traversal | 2019 |
| 4 | Ghost of Tsushima | Benchmark for open-world samurai storytelling | 2020 |
| 5 | Nioh 2 | Supernatural, skill-driven samurai combat | 2020 |
Final Thoughts
Player’s Path isn’t just a backlog checklist, it’s a curated journey. By following this path, you’ll experience the evolution of stealth-ninja gameplay, cinematic samurai duels, and the folklore-infused myths that shaped Japan’s most iconic action adventures.
When Ghost of Yotei finally arrives, you won’t just be ready to play — you’ll step into it with the wisdom of the games that paved the way, prepared for the snow-swept battles and stories waiting at the foot of Mount Yotei.