Naoki Yoshida, director of Final Fantasy 14, has stated that Ghost of Yotei is his favorite game of 2025, an opinion he shares in the annual summary of 4Gamer, where prominent game developers in Japan reflect on their favorite releases. Yoshida claimed that, despite having played many works this year, he feels a special connection to the title from Sucker Punch, which continues the legacy of Ghost of Tsushima.
Yoshi goes to Yotei
In his praise, Yoshida emphasized the impressive technical and production level of Ghost of Yotei, particularly highlighting the recreation of Japan in the game. Coming from Hokkaido, the director felt particularly excited about the representation of Mount Yotei, a place that holds personal significance for him. “The recreation of that beauty was truly outstanding”, he commented, emphasizing his personal experience as a snowboarder in the region.
Despite the fact that Ghost of Yotei did not win any awards at The Game Awards, Yoshida’s opinion adds significant weight to the game’s critique. His experience in video game design and his connection to Hokkaido make him an authoritative voice to evaluate Sucker Punch’s work. This personal approach highlights how the video game manages to resonate emotionally with its players.
In a context where playtime is becoming increasingly limited, Yoshida also reflected on the importance of players feeling rewarded, regardless of the amount of time they dedicate to the MMO. “We are all seeing that our free time is decreasing”, he stated, suggesting that gaming experiences must be valuable, regardless of the time commitment. This vision could influence future trends within the industry as developers seek to create more accessible yet impactful experiences.