When we talk about art, the question is always what makes something art in the first place. Is it the craft that goes into it, the emotion it creates, or the interpretation it invites? There have been times when the traditional art world itself has tested those boundaries, like the infamous banana taped to a wall. It asked whether art needs to be skillful, lasting, or simply provocative. Roger Ebert, one of the greatest film critics, once said that video games are not art. He later softened his stance, but the comment sparked years of debate. Games like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of The Kingdom make that argument feel outdated.
Dozens of people pour thousands of hours into making a movie. Sometimes the result feels like finger painting from a four-year-old, other times we get masterpiece like The Godfather. The same truth applies to video games. They can be shallow, forgettable distractions or they can be transformative works of beauty. The Ghost of Yotei firmly belongs to the latter. It’s proof that video games can evoke awe, joy, sadness, and adrenaline in ways that rival film or literature.
The Ghost of Yotei is a PlayStation 5 exclusive that immediately makes its case as art through sheer beauty that demands to be experienced. From the opening sequence, the world feels handcrafted with attention to detail that can only come from a team that’s passionate about what they are creating. It’s an interactive playground that plays like a living painting filled with history, music, and storytelling. My own time with the game so far has only been around twelve hours, but that was enough to recognize the mastery at play. The visuals, sound design, and story combine into a cohesive experience that makes you stop and consider that yes, this is art.
The comparisons to Ghost of Tsushima are inevitable, and rightly so. The Ghost of Yotei feels like the spiritual successor, one that has taken the best elements of its predecessor and polished them even further.
With the graphical fidelity, everything feels so alive. The characters move with a natural rhythm, their voice acting is in sync with their emotions, and the music elevates moments into something unforgettable. Where Tsushima sometimes felt like a traditional video game that was dressed in beauty, Yotei feels like a fully realized vision. It is cinematic in a way that maintains player freedom.
The story is familiar protagonist seeking revenge. But just because a story is basic in outline does not mean it cannot have a great story. The execution here matters more than originality. From what I have played, the tale begins with tragedy and that tragedy is what’s carried in every interaction. You feel you have something to avenge because the introduction grounds you in loss, determination, and the need for justice. Atsu, the protagonist, may not yet stand above Jin from Ghost of Tsushima in my eyes, but she holds her own. Her journey is personal, and the game’s pacing helps keep the journey engaging while letting you wander at your own pace.
The Ghost of Yotei gameplay is really impressive. It takes the already tight mechanics of Tsushima and pushes them further. Combat flows naturally, whether you are engaging in one-on-one duels, storming enemy camps, or stringing together stealth assassinations. The addition of more weapons provides variety and opens up creative approaches to encounters. One of my favorite small details is the ability to throw enemy weapons back at them. You can choose to go in with bows, firearms, kunai, smoke bombs, or just raw swordsmanship. That freedom to shape your own fighting style makes battles feel fresh every time.
Movement and exploration also benefit from smoother mechanics. Horse riding feels more fluid, and even the new companion system, where you can bond with a wolf, adds an extra dimension. The wolf has its own skill tree, making it feel like a partner rather than just a gimmick. It joins in fights, helps you explore, and creates moments that deepen the immersion. The camp system is another highlight, offering reasons to engage with the world outside of the main story. Whether it is upgrading gear, interacting with side characters, or preparing for the next battle.
Missions themselves vary in quality, as is often the case in open world games. Some of the bounty hunts can feel repetitive, especially those tied to wolf encounters. But even then, most have small quirks that keep them interesting. The main missions, however, are where the game shines. They are dynamic, emotional, and staged with a cinematic flair. The revenge theme comes through strongly here. It makes you feel Atsu drive in a way that keeps you invested.
The graphics are both a strength and a slight weakness. On one hand, the sweeping landscapes, stunning draw distances, and breathtaking scenery make The Ghost of Yotei one of the most beautiful games on the PS5. On the other, small bugs like grass flickering through characters or horses clipping into rocks can break immersion briefly. None of these glitches ruin the experience, and they are the kind of polish issues that might be patched over time. What matters is that when you pause after a battle and look across the horizon, the sense of awe is real. It is the kind of moment that reminds you why games can be considered art.
Just like movies, sound design is equally important to games. It is part of the experience. The Ghost of Yotei music shifts between serene, haunting, and adrenaline-pumping depending on what is happening on screen. Combined with voice acting that feels authentic and emotional, the audio completes the immersion. Every swing of a sword, every howl of the wolf, and every gust of wind through the trees has been carefully designed to make you feel something. That feeling, more than anything, is what qualifies this game as art.
Customization and side activities make sure that no two players will have the same journey. Whether it is choosing your weapons, bonding with the wolf, or simply deciding how to approach a mission, the freedom is there. Unlike some games where side quests feel like chores, here they feel like adventures worth taking. Even the bounties, despite some repetition, usually tie into the world in a way that makes them meaningful. You never feel like you are just checking off boxes. Instead, you are building your own legend in Yotei.
At its heart, The Ghost of Yotei makes you feel something every time you play. Sometimes it is the thrill of combat, sometimes the serenity of the landscapes, and sometimes the heartbreak of loss. That ability to evoke emotions through interactivity is something that goes beyond entertainment. It enters the realm of art. The game is not perfect, but perfection is not the measure of art. What matters is whether it moves you, whether it lingers in your thoughts, whether you come back to it not just for fun but for the experience it offers.
If Roger Ebert could see what games have become today, he might not hesitate to call them art. The Ghost of Yotei is an example of why. It is a world built by countless hands and countless hours, stitched together into something greater than the sum of its parts. It takes inspiration from history, channels the power of storytelling, and uses the tools of technology to create a unique experience. Just as a painting can capture a moment in time and make you feel something centuries later, this game can transport you to a different world and stir something within you.
I can say without hesitation that this is one of the most beautiful and well-made games I have played in recent memory. The polish, the depth, the freedom, and the artistry all come together to make it stand among the best PlayStation exclusives. this open world action RPG is a statement, one that says games are art, and that art is alive in every swing of the sword, every note of the music, every glance at the horizon. Whether or not you believe video games deserve to sit in the same gallery as paintings and films, or a banana on a wall, The Ghost of Yotei makes its case in the most convincing way possible, by simply existing as itself.
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