Ghost of Yotei‘s newly announced Watanabe Mode already has fans excited. The July 10 showcase came with plenty of surprises for Ghost of Yotei fans, yet this particular game mode has seemingly stood out the most.
Ghost of Yotei is getting three new special modes. The first, Kurosawa, is identical to Ghost of Tsushima‘s black-and-white mode. The second is Miike, inspired by the namesake director of 13 Assassins, and the final one is Watanabe, which has quickly become a fan favorite within the community.
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Ghost of Yotei Actress Has Emotional Reaction to State of Play Announcement, But It’s For a Different Game
The leading star of Ghost of Yotei has a powerful reaction during the latest PlayStation State of Play, though it isn’t for their own game.
To create the Watanabe Mode, Sucker Punch teamed up with Samurai Champloo’s director, Shinichiro Watanabe. The mode lets players listen to original lo-fi tracks made by the legendary anime director while exploring the vast world of Ghost of Yotei. It also serves as a tribute to the late lo-fi music pioneer Nujabes, known as the Godfather of the genre. He composed the music for Samurai Champloo and is widely credited for the anime’s success thanks to his distinctive style. Sadly, Nujabes passed away in 2010, leaving behind an unforgettable musical legacy.
Ghost of Yotei’s Watanabe Mode Evokes Samurai Champloo Nostalgia
Based on the music snippets played during State of Play, Watanabe Mode feels like an incredibly nostalgic addition. Fans have praised Sucker Punch for honoring Watanabe’s and Nujabes’ work in such an emotional way. They also seem to be especially excited about the mode’s impact on Ghost of Yotei’s combat. As revealed in the State of Play deep dive, Watanabe’s lo-fi tracks will play during both combat and exploration. Naturally, many fans are hoping to recreate Samurai Champloo-esque battle scenes with the anime director’s music in the background.
Watanabe Mode aside, music is clearly set to play a critical role in Ghost of Yotei’s storytelling. Award-winning Japanese composer Toma Otowa, who has provided music for several other games like Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, is leading the soundtrack for Sucker Punch’s upcoming samurai game. As revealed in the State of Play trailer, he’s been blending Japanese music with Western elements to craft the score for Ghost of Yotei.
Fans excited about Ghost of Yotei’s music can already enjoy two of the game’s tracks on their preferred streaming platform. “The Yotei Six” and “Atsu’s Theme” are now available to stream, setting the mood for the game’s anticipated October release, and more tracks from the game are expected to hit streaming services soon as Ghost of Yotei’s release date draws closer.
Ghost of Yotei
- Released
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October 2, 2025
- Publisher(s)
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Sony Interactive Entertainment
- Number of Players
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Single-player
- PS5 Release Date
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October 2, 2025
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