Ghost of Yōteiappears to be building on its predecessor,Ghost of Tsushima, in nearly every way, and is luckily bringing back a fan-favorite game mode. We were treated to a deep dive intoGhost of Yōtei’s gameplay with a State of Play dedicated solely to Sucker Punch Productions' upcoming game, wherenew limited-edition PS5swere also revealed.
While the whole game is shaping up nicely, a particularly exciting reveal from the State of Play was the confirmation thatGhost of Yōteiis bringing back the first game’s Kurosawa Mode. ThePlayStationState of Play showed various clips ofGhost of Yōteibathed in a striking black-and-white filter, evoking the classic films of legendary Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa. Kurosawa is best known for iconic movies such asSeven Samurai,Rashomon, andYojimbo.
What Is Kurosawa Mode?
Thematically Perfect Homage
Kurosawa Mode, both inGhost of Yōteiand in itsoriginal incarnation inGhost of Tsushima, mimics the monochrome color palette of Kurosawa’s films, most of which were released in the mid-20th century, but it’s more than just a black-and-white filter. It importantlyadds a layer of film grain to give the games a more authentic, filmic look, but it also applies an audio filter and increases the wind in-game.
The audio filter is meant to similarly copy how old samurai movies sound, with compressed audio and the occasional crackling – a byproduct of imperfections when shooting on film.The increased wind helps evoke the ambiance Kurosawa’s films are known for, frequently using wind to dramatic effect, inspiring theGuiding Wind mechanic inGhost of Tsushimaand nowYōtei.
Kuroawa Mode Was A Highlight For Ghost Of Tsushima
A Triumphant Return
Kurosawa Mode feels almost antithetical to a game series that uses vibrant colors to such great effect, but it was a distinct highlight inGhost of Tsushima, especially for die-hard samurai film fans. It’s great for second playthroughs, or when clearing the rest of the map after you’ve finished the story, but most of all, it’s simply a touching tribute.Ghost of TsushimaandGhost of Yōteiowe their DNA to Kurosawa’s films, and it’s an incredible gesture to partner with the Kurosawa Estate to put the filmmaker’s name on the game mode.
Akira Kurosawa’s influence is titanic, touching everything from George Lucas’Star Warsto Wes Anderson’sIsle of Dogs. Although cliché, he’s most people’s favorite filmmaker’s favorite filmmaker.Ghost of Yōteiis, in many ways, one huge homage to Kurosawa’s work, and the continued inclusion of Kurosawa Mode in the series is a great through line.
Source:PlayStation/YouTube
Ghost of Yotei
Set in 1603 around Mount Yōtei in Hokkaido, players control Atsu, a wandering female warrior who takes on the mantle of “The Ghost.” As she navigates the snowy tundras and dangerous wilderness, Atsu seeks to restore her family’s honor, while confronting enemies and forging her own path through difficult choices.
