Ghost of Yotei enjoyed a stellar showing during its State of Play presentation, with Sucker Punch revealing the title’s many new features, mechanics, and game modes. But the announcement that piqued my interest has to do with a specially curated Lo-Fi mode that amplifies the tranquility already woven into the game’s visuals.
While far from a ‘cozy’ game, the prequel Ghost of Tsushima had a zen-like quality to it. Its hypnotically beautiful vistas stretched for miles, paired with the meditative sounds of whistling winds and rustling leaves. It also featured serene side activities like the contemplative hot springs, the touching haikus, and the harmonious flute that was on Jin Sakai’s person at all times. These painstaking details made for an open world that was calming to simply wander through. And I’m thrilled to see its follow-up expand on the zen by chucking in some Lo-Fi beats.
You heard it right. Ghost of Yotei comes with a new Watanabe mode, created in collaboration with Shinichirō Watanabe, who famously helmed anime such as Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo. Toggling on the Lo-Fi mode will replace the epic twangs of the game’s Shamisen-driven soundtrack with the laid-back vibes of lo-fi beats. The result, as seen in the clip below, is an almost dreamy trot through a stylized recreation of 17th-century Japan.
Besides paying homage to one of the game’s Japanese influences, the mode makes Ghost of Yotei a more meditative experience than its predecessor. The change in sonic atmosphere enhances that feeling of being lost in its colorful world. It also makes the game more ‘background friendly,’ a term I like to use to describe titles that only demand a slice of my attention, allowing the rest to focus on a podcast or my Spotify playlist.
Furthermore, lopping off heads and dismembering limbs to the ambient texture of a lo-fi track is exactly what I will need after 30 hours of constant gameplay.
Stacked on top of this are two other game modes, including the returning Kurosawa Mode, which takes inspiration from the titular director and adds a monochromatic flavor to the open world. The second mode pays tribute to another Japanese creative, Takashi Miike, and sees the camera hone in on Atsu during combat with blood and mud effects maxed out.
Beyond the new game modes, Ghost of Yotei comes with a wealth of new features, ranging from different weapon types and side activities to new enemy varieties and a mysterious wolf companion. It also packs in a camp mechanic, akin to Red Dead Redemption 2, allowing you to cook fish over a campfire. Imagine doing that in the Lo-Fi mode.
If any of this sparks your interest, Ghost of Yotei releases on October 2, 2025, and it is currently available for pre-order on the PlayStation Store.
