BY COLIN BISH, STAFF WRITER
Graphic: Wikimedia Commons
During PlayStatio’s recent live stream, State of Play, Sony revealed an upcoming sequel for the critically acclaimed action-adventure video game “Ghost of Tsushima,” produced and released by Sucker Punch Productions in 2020.
When I heard the news, I was filled with excitement. “Ghost of Tsushima” is my all-time favorite game, and I was ecstatic to learn of a future sequel. The new game, “Ghost of Yotei,” promises to continue these aspects and introduce a new and compelling story that I can’t wait to experience.
However, complaints began flooding in immediately upon the game’s reveal.
The new game, set to release on the PlayStation 5 next year, introduces a new main character, Atsu, a female ronin, traveling on the island of Hokkaido in 1603.
Many became upset with the change in the main character. Sucker Punch created a new lead in place of the “Ghost of Tsushima” beloved main character, Jin Sakai.
Although I love Sakai as much as the next player, I don’t mind Sucker Punch going in a different direction. Sakai’s story wraps up beautifully by making his final choice, creating a fine conclusion to an amazing character.
But I can understand the frustration of a video game not meeting your expectations. I admit, it sucks when expectations of a game fall short; you feel let down and disappointed.
Yet the other controversy surrounding the “Ghost of Yotei” is equally childish and disgusting.
The announcement of a female main character in Ghost of Yotei sparked a wave of negative reactions. X (formerly Twitter) became flooded by thousands of comments shouting “woke” and “DEI” at the announcement. Twitch streamer Asmongold, with over three million followers, even asked his viewers if he could play the game as a man, reflecting the underlying misogyny in the gaming community.
I can’t say I know where this outrage came from, considering the excellent track history of female main characters in video games. We have seen countless unforgettable female video game characters, like “Tomb Raider’s” Lara Croft, “Horizon’s” Aloy and “Metroid’s” Samus. The gaming community has shown time and again that it can embrace and celebrate strong female characters.
In a real-world aspect, many insinuate that only men were warriors in ancient Japan, but this idea is flat-out wrong, too. Female warriors, known as onna-musha, trained in weaponry to protect their household, family and honor. They can be traced back to the late 12th century, and often fought alongside samurai men.
However, most critics tend to focus on the “Ghost of Yotei’s” voice lead. The main character will be voiced by Erika Ishii, an American voice actor who identifies as genderfluid. Many argued that casting Ishii pushed the “woke LGBTQ agenda.”
But may I ask if anyone has said the upcoming game is about gender identity? As far as we know, it is not; it continues the story of the “Ghost” character from the 2020 game, only this time with a female lead.
Even then, games that include LGBTQ characters usually do well. The beloved game series “The Last of Us” includes many important LGBT characters. Ellie Williams, one of the main leads in both games, is one of the most beloved characters ever, let alone female characters.
I understand if you want to be upset that the old main character isn’t returning. But turning that disdain into a full hatred and attack on both women and members of the LGBTQ community in gaming is disgusting.
We should instead be welcoming to Sucker Punch’s new approach to such a beloved game. And considering their track record of games, I am incredibly confident that “Ghost of Yotei” will be incredible and serve its amazing predecessor well.
bishcj22@bonaventure.edu
