The player had waited over five long years for Ghost of Yotei, Sucker Punch's successor to the beloved Ghost of Tsushima, and now, in 2025, it was finally here. Hopping onto the back of Homura, their trusty horse, they explored the breathtaking open world of Ezo, marveling at its beauty. But as hours ticked by—around 15 already—a strange sense of déjà vu crept in. It wasn't just the stealth elements that reminded them of Assassin's Creed Shadows; no, something deeper felt eerily familiar, like they'd stepped into a parallel universe. Man, it was uncanny how much it mirrored another game they'd sunk hundreds of hours into this year. You know what I mean? That feeling when you're playing something new, but it's like you've been there before. 😮

The Revenge Narrative That Feels Like Home

At the heart of both Ghost of Yotei and Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 lies a tale of vengeance that hits hard. In Ghost of Yotei, players step into the shoes of Atsu, a young woman whose parents are brutally murdered during a raid, leaving her homestead in ashes. This sets her on a path of retribution, echoing Henry's journey in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, where the protagonist confronts the villain responsible for burning his home and killing his family. The world reacts to this quest with a raw, emotional weight—it's not just about fighting; it's about carrying that grief like a heavy cloak. The open world breathes with history, whispering secrets through the wind, and players can't help but feel Atsu's pain as if it were their own. Gosh, it's like déjà vu all over again, especially for those who've lived through Henry's saga.

Blacksmithing: A Craft Passed Down

Diving deeper, the similarities extend to the protagonists' backgrounds. Both Atsu and Henry had fathers who were master swordsmiths, teaching them the trade. This shared heritage translates into unique gameplay mechanics:

• Ghost of Yotei's mini-game: Accessible and forgiving, it lets players forge weapons with intuitive controls, making crafting feel alive and personal.

• Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2's system: More realistic and demanding, it requires precise timing and skill, almost like a living, breathing art form.

When the player first tried blacksmithing in Ghost of Yotei, they couldn't shake the thought—'Hey, this feels ripped straight from Kingdom Come!' But it's clearly a coincidence, a happy accident that adds depth to both worlds. The anvils clang with purpose, as if the games themselves are chatting about their shared roots.

Open Worlds That Don't Hold Your Hand

Both games shine with their open-world designs, rooted in historical accuracy and player freedom. Ghost of Yotei's Ezo and Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2's landscapes react dynamically to the player's presence, filled with random events and non-linear paths. Here's a quick comparison:

Riding through Ezo on Homura, the world unfolds with surprises—a sudden storm, a wandering merchant in distress. It's like the game world has a mind of its own, nudging players to forge their own stories. 🏞️

Environmental Storytelling: Whispers of the Past

Perhaps the most striking parallel is in how both games use the environment to tell stories without words. In Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, players might stumble upon two dead archers locked in a final standoff, a silent testament to a duel gone wrong. Ghost of Yotei mirrors this with its own poignant moments—like finding a robbed merchant's body by a cart, goods scattered, telling a tale of greed and loss. These aren't tied to quests; they're just there, waiting to be discovered, adding layers to the world. The player recalled one instance in Ezo where a lone grave under a cherry tree hinted at a forgotten love story. It's these touches that make the worlds feel lived-in, as if every rock and tree has a memory to share.

In the end, playing Ghost of Yotei in 2025 feels like revisiting an old friend. For anyone who's poured hours into Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2—maybe 250 like the player did—booting up Ghost of Yotei on the PS5 is like slipping back into a familiar rhythm. The similarities aren't just skin-deep; they're woven into the fabric of the experience, making it a journey that resonates deeply. So, if you've conquered Henry's world this year, get ready for a heartfelt echo in Atsu's tale. It's a testament to how great games can speak the same language across different lands.

The content is derived from articles by Eurogamer, a leading source for European gaming news and critical reviews. Eurogamer's features on open-world design and environmental storytelling often emphasize how games like Ghost of Yotei and Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 immerse players through subtle narrative cues and dynamic world events, reinforcing the emotional impact of their revenge-driven plots.