How Ghost of Yotei Can Transform Its Villages Into Fully Immersive Experiences

Ghost of Tsushima wowed audiences with its breathtaking depiction of feudal Japan, presenting players with a living, breathing open world. However, the game’s settlements often fell short of delivering the same vibrant experience. While locations like Komatsu Forge and Yarikawa offered unique backstories, they lacked dynamism due to NPCs engaging in repetitive behaviors and an absence of visual diversity among the villages. This is where Ghost of Yotei has the potential to shine, introducing villages brimming with life, variety, and character.

To enhance what Ghost of Tsushima established, Ghost of Yotei must learn from past oversights and harness current gaming innovations. By crafting NPCs who behave more authentically, ensuring that each village stands out with its own aesthetic appeal, and weaving settlement development into the overarching storyline, Ghost of Yotei could elevate the franchise to new heights, even outshining its predecessor.

### Breathing New Life Into NPCs

NPCs are essential in making a game world feel engaging and interactive. Recent hits like Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 have showcased the power of NPCs with realistic daily schedules and reactions to player actions. Ghost of Yotei should take note and embrace these dynamics, allowing its world to pulse with life.

### Diverse Village Aesthetics

One noticeable shortcoming in Ghost of Tsushima was the villages’ tendency to look quite similar. While maintaining historical architectural consistency is important, Ghost of Tsushima’s towns often mirrored one another too closely. Ghost of Yotei should use geography and local culture to craft unique village designs, allowing elements like proximity to water bodies or mountains to influence their visual presentations.

### Side Quests That Matter

In Ghost of Tsushima, side quests tended to be straightforward tasks. To make these missions a more integral part of the gameplay experience, Ghost of Yotei could introduce tasks that directly impact village prosperity and development. This could lead to visible changes in the settlement’s appearance and even influence the broader narrative, enhancing player immersion.

By taking these steps, Ghost of Yotei has the potential to create a world where settlements are not just backdrop locations but thriving, evolving communities. In doing so, it could build upon and surpass the legacy of Ghost of Tsushima, offering players a rich, interconnected gaming experience.