Summary
Ubisoft’sAssassin’s Creed Shadowshas been relentlessly compared to Sucker Punch’sGhost of Tsushima, although those comparisons are largely based on the time period that the two share. Now, withGhost of Yoteion the way, there’s a chance those comparisons could continue, though they might be flipped now thatAssassin’s Creed Shadowshas set a precedent thatGhost of Yoteicould very much follow. It wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing forGhost of Yoteito take a few notes fromAssassin’s Creed Shadowseither, especially when it comes to the former’s apparent time jump and one of the latter’s early narrative devices.
Based on what has been revealed so far, it appears thatGhost of Yoteicould feature a considerable time jump in its story. At its heart,Ghost of Yotei’s narrative is about its protagonist, Atsu, seeking revenge for the murder of her family and the razing of her homestead. A scene fromGhost of Yotei’s release date announcement trailershows a young Atsu during the raid on her home and then a vengeance-fueled adult Atsu shortly after. While it might be thatGhost of Yoteisimply chooses to tell Atsu’s origin story in a cinematic sequence, however,Assassin’s Creed Shadowsmight have an even better way.
Ghost of Yotei’s Time Jump Could Make Use of AC Shadows' Kuji-Kiri
Assassin’s Creed Shadows' Kuji-Kiri Trigger Playable Flashbacks
There are countless side activities for players to complete inAssassin’s Creed Shadows, but the game’s Kuji-Kiri are undoubtedly a major highlight. These meditation zones not only offer players a chance to slow down and quiet themselves, but they also trigger playable flashbacks. Theprologue ofAssassin’s Creed Shadowsdoes a great job of going over the main events of Naoe’s backstory, but it isn’t until players complete a few of the game’s Kuji-Kiri that they get an even more detailed look at her origins.
While it might be thatGhost of Yoteisimply chooses to tell Atsu’s origin story in a cinematic sequence,Assassin’s Creed Shadowsmight have an even better way.
When completing the first several Kuji-Kiri inAssassin’s Creed Shadows, players are treated to a series of flashback sequences that are playable rather than merely watchable. During these sequences, players get to experience Naoe at her own homestead firsthand, and her relationship with her father is further fleshed out to emphasize just how hard his death at the hands ofOda Nobunagahit Naoe. It therefore serves as a way for players to connect with Naoe’s character on a deeper level and heightens the emotional payoff of its narrative.
Atsu’s Backstory in Ghost of Yotei Could Be Told Through Meditation-Based Flashbacks
Ghost of Yoteicould do with something similar, as opposed to simply showing what happened to Atsu when she was younger and then flashing forward ten years to show where she is now. The time jump could certainly still take place, but incorporating an activity likeAssassin’s Creed Shadows' Kuji-Kirithat would trigger playable flashback sequences would be a great way to deepen the player’s connection to Atsu, what she lost, and her pursuit of revenge. Since revenge stories are often rooted in grief, allowing players to feel that grief firsthand by letting them play as a young Atsu would bring greater understanding to her journey.
Assassin’s Creed ShadowsandGhost of Yoteiare both revenge stories, making an even stronger case for the latter to maintain similarities with the former.
IfGhost of Yoteiwants its time jump to carry real emotional weight, it should invite players to experience Atsu’s past through a gameplay mechanic similar toAssassin’s Creed Shadows' Kuji-Kiri. Doing so could turn Atsu’s memories into interactive moments that gradually unfold acrossGhost of Yotei’s story. Letting players step into the shoes of a younger Atsu and witness the events that shaped her would make her pursuit of revenge feel more personal, giving her grief room to breathe and allowing her transformation to land with far greater impact.
