Should I Play Ghost Of Tsushima Before Yotei?

When It Makes Sense

• Good fit: You want to understand the broader world, visual style, and combat foundations that Sucker Punch established, which may make Ghost of Yōtei’s systems feel more intuitive.
• Good fit: You enjoy lore continuity and want to appreciate any references, thematic callbacks, or returning design elements that connect the two games.

When You Should Avoid It

• Warning sign: You have limited time and would rather jump straight into Ghost of Yōtei when it launches, since it is expected to be a standalone experience with a new protagonist and setting.
• Warning sign: You dislike backtracking or open-world bloat, and completing a lengthy first game could delay or reduce your enthusiasm for the new release.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Playing Tsushima first lets you learn the combat, stealth, and exploration loop in a completed, polished game, potentially flattening the learning curve for Yōtei.
• You may enjoy narrative or atmospheric continuity, including shared themes of honor, resilience, and the samurai setting.

Cons

• Ghost of Tsushima is a substantial open-world game that can require dozens of hours, so it may delay your start on Yōtei or cause franchise fatigue.
• Since Yōtei features a different protagonist and a later historical period, story knowledge from the first game may not be strictly necessary for understanding the sequel.

Decision Checklist

• Do I have enough free time before Yōtei’s release to play through Ghost of Tsushima without rushing?
• Am I the type of player who values shared worlds and references, or do I prefer each game to stand alone?
• Can I accept that playing the first game may improve context but is unlikely to be mandatory for enjoying the sequel?

Alternatives to Consider

If you cannot commit to a full playthrough, consider watching a story recap or a no-commentary playthrough of Ghost of Tsushima’s main campaign. Alternatively, sample the free Iki Island expansion or the Legends multiplayer mode to get a taste of the combat and tone. You could also wait until Ghost of Yōtei reviews appear and then decide whether the first game’s context seems important.

Final Recommendation

If you have the time and curiosity, playing Ghost of Tsushima before Ghost of Yōtei is a rewarding way to build familiarity with the world and mechanics. If your schedule is tight or you prefer to experience new releases fresh, starting with Yōtei is a reasonable choice because the game is designed as a standalone entry. Since this is ultimately an entertainment purchase decision, choose the path that best fits your available time, budget, and interest in lore continuity.