Summary
There is no denying thatGhost of Tsushima’s story is a dark one. Not only does it focus onJin Sakai’s personal loss as he watched his father die and neglected to help him, but his decision to forsake family by abandoning honor and tradition is one that makes his own story as dark as the Mongol threat he opposes, from a certain point of view. Now, judging by what has been revealed so far, it seems thatTsushima’s successor,Ghost of Yotei, may be primed to offer up an even darker story with its new protagonist, Atsu.
While very little has been disclosed about the extent of Atsu’s story inGhost of Yotei, Sucker Punch has revealed that her personal journey is one of “underdog vengeance.” Vengeance stories often lead to their protagonists becoming antiheroes who are willing to commit egregious acts of violence to get their revenge. In some extreme cases, these stories end with their journey toward antiheroism concluding with them becoming a darker, more villainous version of themselves as they struggle to balance what is right with what is necessary. As such, a dark path could be ahead of Atsu inGhost of Yotei, potentially making her journey ten times more thought-provoking than Jin’s.
Ghost of Yotei’s Story Could Be Much Darker Than Tsushima’s
Revenge stories may follow a fairly common trope, but they often allow for more compelling protagonists than traditional stories of heroism can offer. Vengeance is often regarded as a complicated and layered act, as it can mean enacting justice with one hand and withholding it in another.Protagonists who are in pursuit of revengealso often prove to be emotionally compromised to the point of lacking self-control — a hallmark quality of a true hero — and yet these emotions are relatable enough to the audience that some may be willing to allow it.
Atsu’s Quest for Vengeance Could Set Her on a Dark Path
However, quests for vengeance, should they succeed, almost always result in a corrupted protagonist who has dared to stoop just as low as the enemies they set out to subdue. WhileGhost of Yoteihas yet to disclose explicit details about Atsu’s pursuit of revenge in the game’s story, there is reason to believe that her quest is not one that the game’s narrative, as well as its world and the inhabitants within it, will take lightly. It can be assumed, based on the standard revenge trope, thatAtsu’s quest for vengeance inGhost of Yoteiwill be condemned at some point in order to add complexity to her character.
Vengeance is often regarded as a complicated and layered act, as it can mean enacting justice with one hand and withholding it in another.
By the end ofGhost of Yotei’s story, it would make sense for Atsu to be a much darker version of herself than she was when her journey began. Presumably, her “underdog vengeance” quest was sparked by a personal tragedy, as most similar stories are. As such, she may consider anything standing between her and her ultimate target to be worth the cost of letting any morality or honor she has left cease to exist altogether. This may be even further perpetuated byGhost of Yotei’s increased emphasis on player agency, should players choose to see Atsu’s desire for revenge fulfilled.
IfGhost of Yoteiembraces the full weight of its supposedlyrevenge-driven narrative, Atsu’s journey could be even more morally complex than Jin’s was inGhost of Tsushima. By allowing her pursuit of vengeance to challenge what it means to be just, the game has an opportunity to explore how far a protagonist can go before becoming indistinguishable from the enemies they seek to destroy. Whether players will be given the agency to shape Atsu’s story or simply bear witness to the consequences of her choices,Ghost of Yoteiis set to tell a story that is not just darker thanGhost of Tsushima’s but potentially even more tragic.
