How Long to Beat Ghost of Yotei? Answered

TL;DR

  • Main story completion takes 20-25 hours focusing solely on critical path objectives
  • Balanced playthrough with side content requires 40-50 hours for comprehensive experience
  • Platinum trophy pursuit demands 60-70 hours including all collectibles and challenges
  • Non-linear mission structure allows personalized pacing and exploration order
  • Legends multiplayer mode and potential DLC significantly extend total playtime

The gaming landscape in 2025 continues to be dominated by highly anticipated sequels, with Sucker Punch Productions delivering Ghost of Yotei as the spiritual successor to their acclaimed Ghost of Tsushima. This new installment transports players to Northern Japan’s breathtaking Ezo region during the Edo period, where they embody Atsu on a personal vendetta against the formidable Yotei Six. If you’re embarking on this revenge quest and need clarity on the time investment required, this comprehensive guide provides detailed playtime estimates for every gameplay approach.

Official poster of Ghost of Yotei featuring Atsu.
Image Credit: Sucker Punch Productions (via X/@SuckerPunchProd)

Unlike traditional sequels, Ghost of Yotei establishes its own identity while honoring the core mechanics that made its predecessor legendary. The game’s structure accommodates various player preferences, from narrative-focused adventurers to completionist explorers seeking every hidden secret across the expansive open world.

Ghost of Yotei distinguishes itself through its non-linear narrative design, allowing players to pursue the Yotei Six targets in any sequence they choose. This structural freedom significantly impacts total playtime, as exploration order and side content prioritization create unique pacing experiences for each player.

Atsu in Ghost of Yotei cover
Image Credit: Sucker Punch Production (via X/@SuckerPunchProd)

The sprawling open world environment encourages organic discovery, with hidden duels, environmental puzzles, and character-driven side quests scattered throughout the Ezo region. Our testing methodology involved multiple playthroughs with different prioritization strategies to provide accurate time estimates for various gaming styles.

Strategic planning becomes crucial for players aiming to optimize their experience. Understanding the relationship between main story progression and side content availability helps prevent backtracking and time wastage, especially for those targeting the platinum trophy.

Based on extensive playtesting across different completion approaches, here’s the definitive breakdown of Ghost of Yotei’s time requirements:

Story Type Time to Beat
Main Story 20-25 hours
Main Story + Side Missions 40-50 hours
Completionist Run 60-70 hours

For players focused exclusively on the central narrative, completing only essential missions targeting the Yotei Six will consume approximately 20-25 hours. This approach prioritizes story momentum over exploration, ideal for those wanting to experience the core revenge tale without extensive diversions.

A balanced approach integrating substantial side content alongside main objectives typically requires 40-50 hours. This includes character side stories, major world events, and approximately 60-70% of available optional activities.

The completionist path demands significant dedication, with 60-70 hours needed to uncover every secret, complete all duels, collect all artifacts, and achieve 100% completion metrics. This extensive journey involves mastering combat mechanics, discovering hidden locations, and completing every available challenge.

Optimizing your Ghost of Yotei experience requires strategic decision-making from the outset. Players should identify their primary goals early—whether narrative immersion, trophy hunting, or comprehensive exploration—to allocate time efficiently across the game’s substantial content.

Efficiency Tips: Complete side quests in regions you’re already exploring for main missions to minimize travel time. Upgrade your traversal abilities early to reduce movement time between objectives, and utilize fast travel points strategically once they become available.

Common Pitfalls: Avoid attempting high-level duels prematurely, as repeated failures can significantly inflate playtime. Don’t overlook the importance of character upgrades—investing in key abilities early can save hours in combat encounters throughout your journey.

Optimization Techniques: For completionist runs, systematically clear regions before moving to new areas to prevent backtracking. Use your bird companion frequently to mark points of interest and plan efficient routes through the challenging terrain.

At Gamescom 2025, Sucker Punch confirmed the return of the acclaimed Legends multiplayer mode, which will substantially extend the game’s longevity beyond the single-player campaign. This cooperative experience typically adds 20-30 hours of additional gameplay for those mastering its unique challenges and progression systems.

While official DLC announcements remain pending, Ghost of Tsushima’s substantial Iki Island expansion suggests similar additional content could arrive for Ghost of Yotei, potentially adding 10-15 hours of new story content and exploration areas.

Ghost of Yotei carries a $69.99 price point and delivers noticeably expanded playtime compared to its predecessor. The game’s replay value is enhanced by multiple difficulty settings, New Game+ options, and the freedom to approach combat scenarios with different tactical styles.

Atsu in Ghost of Yotei cover
Image Credit: Sucker Punch Production (via X/@SuckerPunchProd)

Share your intended playstyle in the comments below—whether you’re diving deep into the narrative, exploring every corner of Ezo, or preparing for the platinum challenge. For those looking to master similar tactical games, our Complete Guide to modern combat systems provides valuable complementary strategies.

Action Checklist

  • Define your primary playstyle goal before starting (story-focused, balanced, or completionist)
  • Upgrade traversal abilities within first 5 hours to reduce travel time
  • Complete regional side content while progressing main missions in same area
  • Utilize fast travel points strategically after unlocking them
  • Systematically clear each region before advancing to prevent backtracking
  • Master Legends multiplayer mechanics for additional 20-30 hours of content

No reproduction without permission:Tsp Game Club » How Long to Beat Ghost of Yotei? Answered Complete Ghost of Yotei playtime guide with strategies for main story, completionist runs, and multiplayer modes