{"id":2013071,"date":"2026-06-26T17:23:57","date_gmt":"2026-06-26T14:23:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2013071"},"modified":"2026-06-26T17:23:57","modified_gmt":"2026-06-26T14:23:57","slug":"ps5-exclusive-ghost-of-yotei-triggers-tourism-push-in-hokkaido-japan-with-plans-for-curated-tours-of-locations-featured-in-the-game","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2013071","title":{"rendered":"PS5 Exclusive Ghost of Yotei Triggers Tourism Push in Hokkaido, Japan, With Plans for Curated Tours of Locations Featured in the Game"},"content":{"rendered":"<div data-cy=\"article-content\" class=\"jsx-2870106660 article-content page-0\">\n<section data-cy=\"article-subtitle\" class=\"article jsx-3932497636 article-section jsx-862658659 news\" data-autopogo=\"true\">\n<section class=\"article-page\">\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Towns located near the real-life Mount Yotei in Hokkaido are planning to leverage the success of Sucker Punch\u2019s PlayStation 5 exclusive <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/games\/ghost-of-yotei\">Ghost of Yotei<\/a> to attract more visitors to the area outside ski season. Official merch collaborations with local craftspeople and curated tours of in-game locations are just some of the initiatives in the works.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Set in 17th century Japan, Ghost of Yotei puts you in the shoes of Atsu, a warrior setting out to take revenge on the six men who slaughtered her family. Backed up by Sucker Punch&#8217;s <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/ghost-of-yotei-director-vows-to-deliver-a-respectful-representation-of-japan-on-par-with-ghost-of-tsushima\"><u>in-depth research trips<\/u><\/a> to Hokkaido, Ghost of Yotei recreates and shows off the natural beauty of Mount Yotei and the surrounding area, prompting <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/ghost-of-yotei-praised-in-japan-for-how-quintessentially-hokkaido-it-feels\"><u>positive comments<\/u><\/a> from Japanese people living in the area upon the game\u2019s release last October.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Now, towns in the Niseko region surrounding the real life Mount Yotei are hoping to attract Ghost of Yotei fans to the area, as reported by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nikkei.com\/article\/DGXZQOFC222380S6A620C2000000\/?n_cid=SNSTW001\" class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><u>Nikkei<\/u><\/a> (and spotted by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.videogameschronicle.com\/news\/ghost-of-yotei-sparks-tourism-push-in-japans-mount-yotei-region\/\" class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><u>VGC<\/u><\/a>).<\/p>\n<p><button type=\"button\" style=\"display:none\" class=\"jsx-2228525885\"><\/button><span data-cy=\"slideshow-view-trigger\"><\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"slideshow-preview\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 slideshow-preview\">\n<h3 class=\"title5 jsx-62124236 jsx-1085005187\" data-cy=\"slideshow-preview-title\">The Best PlayStation Game of 2025<\/h3>\n<div data-cy=\"slideshow-images-container\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 images-container\"><button type=\"button\" data-cy=\"hero-image\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 hero-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Superheroes, ronin, insect warriors, and postal service workers. Whatever your fantasy this year, PlayStation could deliver it. But which PS5 game was the best? We at IGN have voted and picked out what we think are the five most worthy of recognition from across 2025, naming one of them the very best PlayStation game of the year, as well as shouting out a few honourable mentions that were very close to making the cut.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;\n\nIn an era where console exclusives are a dying breed, as Sony\u2019s competitor, Microsoft, has shown us more than ever over the past few months, we\u2019ve made the decision this year to branch out and open up the criteria for what can win our platform-specific awards. These aren\u2019t the top five Sony exclusives, but the top five games that were released on PS5 in 2025, full stop. So, without further ado, let\u2019s get on with it and crown the best PlayStation game of 2025 before we all die of old age.\n\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2896921488 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><span class=\"button-text jsx-729543028 button button--primary jsx-3381835873 jsx-4266531355 row-pagination-button next contained centered round large\" data-cy=\"paginate next\" title=\"Open Slideshow\"><span class=\"ign-icon right-chevron jsx-2750866048 jsx-2919720488\" role=\"presentation\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-cy=\"right-chevron\" style=\"background:currentColor\"><\/span><\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"slideshow-images-list\" class=\"scrollbar jsx-2072772685 jsx-4243969252 images-list\"><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"&lt;b&gt;Runner-Up: Hollow Knight: Silksong&lt;\/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;\nIt finally happened. 2025 was the year that Hollow Knight: Silksong saw the light of day, and what a relief that we not only got to play it, but it was also extremely good. Team Cherry\u2019s much-anticipated sequel may be a whole lot more punishing than the original, but it is still home to that same magic, which can be found all over its sprawling, bug-sized world full of secret nooks and crannies. The platforming pathways to get to those places are tight and challenging, with new lead, Hornet, showing off a fresh batch of skills stemming from her fundamentally game-changing diagonal dart. But it\u2019s in combat where she really comes into her own, promoting a more aggressive style of play which lets you take the fight to Silksong\u2019s bestiary of bosses. These tough creatures of all shapes and sizes with nasty tricks up their sleeves may have presented some of 2025\u2019s biggest roadblocks, but persevere, and the glory waiting behind them leads to one of this year\u2019s greatest games.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2896921488 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"rounded jsx-412047461 overlay progressive-image jsx-2338608387 expand\" data-cy=\"slideshow-image-overlay\">\n<div data-cy=\"element-caption\" class=\"caption jsx-1762799490\">View 6 Images<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"&lt;b&gt;Runner-Up: Dispatch&lt;\/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;\nSuperhero drama Dispatch manages to recapture the magic of those Telltale-esque episodic visual novels that we all fell in love with a decade or so ago. Following the story of Robert Robertson, a hero who is nothing without his now-destroyed mech suit, it&apos;s a heartwarming tale of redemption that isn\u2019t without its fair share of bite, too. Managing your many relationships, both personal and professional, as they intertangle at Robbie\u2019s place of work, the Superhero Dispatch Network, is key, as is making sure your team of down-and-out supervillains successfully try their hand at crime-stopping.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt; \n\nThis half of the game adds a real-time sim management wrinkle to each chapter, as you boost the skills of your squad and send them out on missions that match their skillset. From the hot-head Flambae, to the internet\u2019s new favourite demon Mommy, Malevola, you\u2019re in command of a vibrant and varied bunch that each offer a fun dynamic to each and every scene they\u2019re in. But it&apos;s outside of the SDN office monitor that Dispatch really comes to life, as Robertson\u2019s life crumbles around him, and your best attempts at rebuilding it are hidden behind dialogue choices. What comes of its cast of characters, headlined by Breaking Bad\u2019s Aaron Paul as Robbie, and with Laura Bailey\u2019s Invisagal stealing most scenes, is up to you. One thing that is guaranteed, though, is a great time.\n\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2896921488 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"&lt;b&gt;Runner-Up: Death Stranding 2: On the Beach&lt;\/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;\nIn many ways, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach finally fulfilled the promise of its flawed predecessor. Creator Hideo Kojima\u2019s second slice of post-apocalypse delivery adventures dialled up the action, echoing his past Metal Gear Solid successes, whilst still maintaining that singular, lonely vision of a disconnected world. Taking Sam Porter Bridges to Australia, On the Beach hands you a much expanded range of combat options, from silenced sniper rifles to homing missile mechanical dogs, and permits you to go about completing its many, many postal orders however you\u2019d like. This freedom is not just a combat feature, but is reflected in how you go about navigating each of these treacherous delivery routes, too, with new ways to travel over stormy deserts and raging rivers, including huge, looming monorail systems and bonkers coffin hoverboards.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;\n\nBut the weirdness is just one aspect of Death Stranding \u2014 and there\u2019s no shortage of it this time around, thanks to Troy Baker\u2019s excellent return as villain Higgs \u2014 as its themes of love and loss ultimately dominate, no matter how large the spectacle on screen. Lea Seydoux is subtly brilliant as Fragile, and drives the story from start to finish as the connections between herself, Sam, and baby Lou are steadily revealed. It\u2019s a fantastic example of a vision come to life, and easily one of the best PlayStation games to have come out in 2025.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2896921488 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"&lt;b&gt;Runner-Up: Ghost of Yotei&lt;\/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;\nFollowing up on 2020\u2019s Ghost of Tsushima was always going to be a challenge, but developer Sucker Punch rose to it impressively well with Ghost of Yotei. This sword-slashing epic borrows everything that we loved from its predecessor, but improves on almost all of it in a multitude of fun little ways. The pulsating combat opens up further, with new weapons and skills introduced to deepen its familiar dodge, block, parry, and swing system. Among those additions is the highly satisfying disarming mechanic that has your protagonist, Atsu, send her enemies&apos; blades flying from their grasp. But it&apos;s this wandering ronin\u2019s story that drives Yotei\u2019s momentum, turning a simple tale of revenge into something much more beautiful as you explore each corner of its historical Japanese map and soak in both the audio and visual majesty on show.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2896921488 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"&lt;b&gt;Winner: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33&lt;\/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;\nSurprise! Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has won another award. It really is that good, though, isn\u2019t it? Sandfall Interactive\u2019s ode to Final Fantasy of years gone by takes that age-old formula and thrusts it firmly into 2025 with lashings of style, soaring music, and a battle system that melds classic turn-based RPG mechanics with exciting real-time elements, making each and every encounter a thrill. All of that style would be nothing without substance, though, and while its combat excites from moment to moment, it\u2019s Clair Obscur\u2019s poignant story and layered cast of characters that make it live long in the memory. Jennifer English\u2019s Maelle is pitch-perfect at the heart of Expedition 33\u2019s plot, with Ben Starr\u2019s Verso a wonderful foil as its twisted themes of grief and what it is to love are untangled. All played out in front of a ticking backdrop of the Gommage \u2014 a yearly tolling doomsday clock for anyone of a certain age \u2014 it\u2019s wonderfully cinematic, making it fit right in alongside many of Sony\u2019s first-party blockbuster offerings.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;\n\nTaking inspiration from the original PlayStation\u2019s library of Japanese RPGs and bringing those ideas into the future, thanks to an all-timer video game story supported by a combat system as satisfying as it is nuanced, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is the clear winner of our award for Best PlayStation Game of 2025.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2896921488 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">The real life Mount Yotei is in Shikotsu Toya National Park in Hokkaido. Nearby is Niseko, which is already a popular tourist destination due to its high snowfall, giving it a long ski season that runs from November to May. During peak months, luxury hotels in the area charge around 200,000yen (approx. $1,200) per night, however this drops to around 10,000yen ($60) in the summer off-season. The towns in the Niseko area are hoping Ghost of Yotei will draw more visitors to the region even when there\u2019s no snow around. \u201cWe hope that through playing the game, people will discover not only the area\u2019s winter landscape but also its spring, summer and fall scenery, and that this will lead to actual visits,\u201d a spokesperson from the town\u2019s planning and environment division told Nikkei.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">With <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/ghost-of-yotei-sells-33-million-copies-in-its-first-month-on-sale-sony-confirms\">Ghost of Yotei selling over 3.3 million copies by November 2025<\/a>, a discussion group was quickly established to explore tourism strategies related to the game. Seven towns in the area, plus tourism associations joined the group. A representative from Niseko told Nikkei: \u201cWe want to focus these promotional efforts on seasons other than winter.\u201d<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">So far, Niseko has teamed up with a Tokyo-based company specializing in IP collaborations and are aiming to sell Ghost of Yotei T-shirts, with further plans to expand the range of officially licensed merch. Local businesses are also getting involved. Kumagera, which makes sustainable products carved from local wood, has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kumagera-niseko.com\/blog\/ghost-of-yotei\" class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><u>already released <\/u><\/a>a series of Ghost of Yotei badges and magnets. There are also plans to offer curated tours of locations featured in the game.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"jsx-313219616\"><a href=\"https:\/\/assets-prd.ignimgs.com\/2026\/06\/26\/gettyimages-1232720558-1782494532703.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"null\" class=\"progressive-image article-image article-image-full-size jsx-1809694635 jsx-2338608387\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/a><figcaption data-cy=\"caption\" class=\"caption jsx-1762799490 jsx-479945570 article-image-caption\">Mount Yotei (6,227 ft) as seen from Mount Kombu, Hokkaido prefecture. Photo by Charly TRIBALLEAU \/ AFP.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Sucker Punch\u2019s previous game Ghost of Tsushima boosted visitors to Japan\u2019s real-life Tsushima Island, resulting in the game\u2019s director Nate Fox and creative director Jason Connell being named cultural ambassadors. However, more tourism to the island has been a bit of a double-edged sword. On the one hand, Tsushima\u2019s Watazumi Shrine was repaired after a typhoon thanks to donations from Ghost of Tsushima fans. But on the other, it ended up <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/real-life-japanese-shrine-that-appeared-in-ghost-of-tsushima-bans-all-tourists-after-grave-and-unforgivable-act-of-disrespect\"><u>banning tourists in March 2025<\/u><\/a> due to the bad behavior of some visitors.<\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"accent-divider\" class=\"jsx-3449795453 divider jsx-2786329600\"><\/div>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\"><em>Verity Townsend is a Japan-based freelance writer who previously served as editor, contributor and translator for the game news site Automaton West. She has also written about Japanese culture and movies for various publications.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/section>\n<p><span class=\"stack jsx-1475529924\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"jsx-2155806329 adunit-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"jsx-2155806329 bobble bobble-1 pogocnt pg-article\">\n<div data-mix-name=\"secondaryMedrec\" data-pos=\"1\" data-pogo-hide=\"1\" class=\"jsx-343126785 pogo-slot\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/div>\n<section class=\"article-page\">\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Towns located near the real-life Mount Yotei in Hokkaido are planning to leverage the success of Sucker Punch\u2019s PlayStation 5 exclusive <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/games\/ghost-of-yotei\">Ghost of Yotei<\/a> to attract more visitors to the area outside ski season. Official merch collaborations with local craftspeople and curated tours of in-game locations are just some of the initiatives in the works.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Set in 17th century Japan, Ghost of Yotei puts you in the shoes of Atsu, a warrior setting out to take revenge on the six men who slaughtered her family. Backed up by Sucker Punch&#8217;s <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/ghost-of-yotei-director-vows-to-deliver-a-respectful-representation-of-japan-on-par-with-ghost-of-tsushima\"><u>in-depth research trips<\/u><\/a> to Hokkaido, Ghost of Yotei recreates and shows off the natural beauty of Mount Yotei and the surrounding area, prompting <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/ghost-of-yotei-praised-in-japan-for-how-quintessentially-hokkaido-it-feels\"><u>positive comments<\/u><\/a> from Japanese people living in the area upon the game\u2019s release last October.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Now, towns in the Niseko region surrounding the real life Mount Yotei are hoping to attract Ghost of Yotei fans to the area, as reported by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nikkei.com\/article\/DGXZQOFC222380S6A620C2000000\/?n_cid=SNSTW001\" class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><u>Nikkei<\/u><\/a> (and spotted by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.videogameschronicle.com\/news\/ghost-of-yotei-sparks-tourism-push-in-japans-mount-yotei-region\/\" class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><u>VGC<\/u><\/a>).<\/p>\n<p><button type=\"button\" style=\"display:none\" class=\"jsx-2228525885\"><\/button><span data-cy=\"slideshow-view-trigger\"><\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"slideshow-preview\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 slideshow-preview\">\n<h3 class=\"title5 jsx-62124236 jsx-1085005187\" data-cy=\"slideshow-preview-title\">The Best PlayStation Game of 2025<\/h3>\n<div data-cy=\"slideshow-images-container\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 images-container\"><button type=\"button\" data-cy=\"hero-image\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 hero-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Superheroes, ronin, insect warriors, and postal service workers. Whatever your fantasy this year, PlayStation could deliver it. But which PS5 game was the best? We at IGN have voted and picked out what we think are the five most worthy of recognition from across 2025, naming one of them the very best PlayStation game of the year, as well as shouting out a few honourable mentions that were very close to making the cut.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;\n\nIn an era where console exclusives are a dying breed, as Sony\u2019s competitor, Microsoft, has shown us more than ever over the past few months, we\u2019ve made the decision this year to branch out and open up the criteria for what can win our platform-specific awards. These aren\u2019t the top five Sony exclusives, but the top five games that were released on PS5 in 2025, full stop. So, without further ado, let\u2019s get on with it and crown the best PlayStation game of 2025 before we all die of old age.\n\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2896921488 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><span class=\"button-text jsx-729543028 button button--primary jsx-3381835873 jsx-4266531355 row-pagination-button next contained centered round large\" data-cy=\"paginate next\" title=\"Open Slideshow\"><span class=\"ign-icon right-chevron jsx-2750866048 jsx-2919720488\" role=\"presentation\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-cy=\"right-chevron\" style=\"background:currentColor\"><\/span><\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"slideshow-images-list\" class=\"scrollbar jsx-2072772685 jsx-4243969252 images-list\"><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"&lt;b&gt;Runner-Up: Hollow Knight: Silksong&lt;\/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;\nIt finally happened. 2025 was the year that Hollow Knight: Silksong saw the light of day, and what a relief that we not only got to play it, but it was also extremely good. Team Cherry\u2019s much-anticipated sequel may be a whole lot more punishing than the original, but it is still home to that same magic, which can be found all over its sprawling, bug-sized world full of secret nooks and crannies. The platforming pathways to get to those places are tight and challenging, with new lead, Hornet, showing off a fresh batch of skills stemming from her fundamentally game-changing diagonal dart. But it\u2019s in combat where she really comes into her own, promoting a more aggressive style of play which lets you take the fight to Silksong\u2019s bestiary of bosses. These tough creatures of all shapes and sizes with nasty tricks up their sleeves may have presented some of 2025\u2019s biggest roadblocks, but persevere, and the glory waiting behind them leads to one of this year\u2019s greatest games.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2896921488 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"rounded jsx-412047461 overlay progressive-image jsx-2338608387 expand\" data-cy=\"slideshow-image-overlay\">\n<div data-cy=\"element-caption\" class=\"caption jsx-1762799490\">View 6 Images<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"&lt;b&gt;Runner-Up: Dispatch&lt;\/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;\nSuperhero drama Dispatch manages to recapture the magic of those Telltale-esque episodic visual novels that we all fell in love with a decade or so ago. Following the story of Robert Robertson, a hero who is nothing without his now-destroyed mech suit, it&apos;s a heartwarming tale of redemption that isn\u2019t without its fair share of bite, too. Managing your many relationships, both personal and professional, as they intertangle at Robbie\u2019s place of work, the Superhero Dispatch Network, is key, as is making sure your team of down-and-out supervillains successfully try their hand at crime-stopping.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt; \n\nThis half of the game adds a real-time sim management wrinkle to each chapter, as you boost the skills of your squad and send them out on missions that match their skillset. From the hot-head Flambae, to the internet\u2019s new favourite demon Mommy, Malevola, you\u2019re in command of a vibrant and varied bunch that each offer a fun dynamic to each and every scene they\u2019re in. But it&apos;s outside of the SDN office monitor that Dispatch really comes to life, as Robertson\u2019s life crumbles around him, and your best attempts at rebuilding it are hidden behind dialogue choices. What comes of its cast of characters, headlined by Breaking Bad\u2019s Aaron Paul as Robbie, and with Laura Bailey\u2019s Invisagal stealing most scenes, is up to you. One thing that is guaranteed, though, is a great time.\n\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2896921488 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"&lt;b&gt;Runner-Up: Death Stranding 2: On the Beach&lt;\/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;\nIn many ways, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach finally fulfilled the promise of its flawed predecessor. Creator Hideo Kojima\u2019s second slice of post-apocalypse delivery adventures dialled up the action, echoing his past Metal Gear Solid successes, whilst still maintaining that singular, lonely vision of a disconnected world. Taking Sam Porter Bridges to Australia, On the Beach hands you a much expanded range of combat options, from silenced sniper rifles to homing missile mechanical dogs, and permits you to go about completing its many, many postal orders however you\u2019d like. This freedom is not just a combat feature, but is reflected in how you go about navigating each of these treacherous delivery routes, too, with new ways to travel over stormy deserts and raging rivers, including huge, looming monorail systems and bonkers coffin hoverboards.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;\n\nBut the weirdness is just one aspect of Death Stranding \u2014 and there\u2019s no shortage of it this time around, thanks to Troy Baker\u2019s excellent return as villain Higgs \u2014 as its themes of love and loss ultimately dominate, no matter how large the spectacle on screen. Lea Seydoux is subtly brilliant as Fragile, and drives the story from start to finish as the connections between herself, Sam, and baby Lou are steadily revealed. It\u2019s a fantastic example of a vision come to life, and easily one of the best PlayStation games to have come out in 2025.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2896921488 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"&lt;b&gt;Runner-Up: Ghost of Yotei&lt;\/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;\nFollowing up on 2020\u2019s Ghost of Tsushima was always going to be a challenge, but developer Sucker Punch rose to it impressively well with Ghost of Yotei. This sword-slashing epic borrows everything that we loved from its predecessor, but improves on almost all of it in a multitude of fun little ways. The pulsating combat opens up further, with new weapons and skills introduced to deepen its familiar dodge, block, parry, and swing system. Among those additions is the highly satisfying disarming mechanic that has your protagonist, Atsu, send her enemies&apos; blades flying from their grasp. But it&apos;s this wandering ronin\u2019s story that drives Yotei\u2019s momentum, turning a simple tale of revenge into something much more beautiful as you explore each corner of its historical Japanese map and soak in both the audio and visual majesty on show.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2896921488 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"&lt;b&gt;Winner: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33&lt;\/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;\nSurprise! Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has won another award. It really is that good, though, isn\u2019t it? Sandfall Interactive\u2019s ode to Final Fantasy of years gone by takes that age-old formula and thrusts it firmly into 2025 with lashings of style, soaring music, and a battle system that melds classic turn-based RPG mechanics with exciting real-time elements, making each and every encounter a thrill. All of that style would be nothing without substance, though, and while its combat excites from moment to moment, it\u2019s Clair Obscur\u2019s poignant story and layered cast of characters that make it live long in the memory. Jennifer English\u2019s Maelle is pitch-perfect at the heart of Expedition 33\u2019s plot, with Ben Starr\u2019s Verso a wonderful foil as its twisted themes of grief and what it is to love are untangled. All played out in front of a ticking backdrop of the Gommage \u2014 a yearly tolling doomsday clock for anyone of a certain age \u2014 it\u2019s wonderfully cinematic, making it fit right in alongside many of Sony\u2019s first-party blockbuster offerings.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;\n\nTaking inspiration from the original PlayStation\u2019s library of Japanese RPGs and bringing those ideas into the future, thanks to an all-timer video game story supported by a combat system as satisfying as it is nuanced, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is the clear winner of our award for Best PlayStation Game of 2025.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2896921488 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">The real life Mount Yotei is in Shikotsu Toya National Park in Hokkaido. Nearby is Niseko, which is already a popular tourist destination due to its high snowfall, giving it a long ski season that runs from November to May. During peak months, luxury hotels in the area charge around 200,000yen (approx. $1,200) per night, however this drops to around 10,000yen ($60) in the summer off-season. The towns in the Niseko area are hoping Ghost of Yotei will draw more visitors to the region even when there\u2019s no snow around. \u201cWe hope that through playing the game, people will discover not only the area\u2019s winter landscape but also its spring, summer and fall scenery, and that this will lead to actual visits,\u201d a spokesperson from the town\u2019s planning and environment division told Nikkei.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">With <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/ghost-of-yotei-sells-33-million-copies-in-its-first-month-on-sale-sony-confirms\">Ghost of Yotei selling over 3.3 million copies by November 2025<\/a>, a discussion group was quickly established to explore tourism strategies related to the game. Seven towns in the area, plus tourism associations joined the group. A representative from Niseko told Nikkei: \u201cWe want to focus these promotional efforts on seasons other than winter.\u201d<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">So far, Niseko has teamed up with a Tokyo-based company specializing in IP collaborations and are aiming to sell Ghost of Yotei T-shirts, with further plans to expand the range of officially licensed merch. Local businesses are also getting involved. Kumagera, which makes sustainable products carved from local wood, has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kumagera-niseko.com\/blog\/ghost-of-yotei\" class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><u>already released <\/u><\/a>a series of Ghost of Yotei badges and magnets. There are also plans to offer curated tours of locations featured in the game.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"jsx-313219616\"><a href=\"https:\/\/assets-prd.ignimgs.com\/2026\/06\/26\/gettyimages-1232720558-1782494532703.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"null\" class=\"progressive-image article-image article-image-full-size jsx-1809694635 jsx-2338608387\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/a><figcaption data-cy=\"caption\" class=\"caption jsx-1762799490 jsx-479945570 article-image-caption\">Mount Yotei (6,227 ft) as seen from Mount Kombu, Hokkaido prefecture. Photo by Charly TRIBALLEAU \/ AFP.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Sucker Punch\u2019s previous game Ghost of Tsushima boosted visitors to Japan\u2019s real-life Tsushima Island, resulting in the game\u2019s director Nate Fox and creative director Jason Connell being named cultural ambassadors. However, more tourism to the island has been a bit of a double-edged sword. On the one hand, Tsushima\u2019s Watazumi Shrine was repaired after a typhoon thanks to donations from Ghost of Tsushima fans. But on the other, it ended up <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/real-life-japanese-shrine-that-appeared-in-ghost-of-tsushima-bans-all-tourists-after-grave-and-unforgivable-act-of-disrespect\"><u>banning tourists in March 2025<\/u><\/a> due to the bad behavior of some visitors.<\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"accent-divider\" class=\"jsx-3449795453 divider jsx-2786329600\"><\/div>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\"><em>Verity Townsend is a Japan-based freelance writer who previously served as editor, contributor and translator for the game news site Automaton West. She has also written about Japanese culture and movies for various publications.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Towns located near the real-life Mount Yotei in Hokkaido are planning to leverage the success of Sucker Punch\u2019s PlayStation 5 exclusive Ghost of Yotei to attract more visitors to the area outside ski season. Official merch collaborations with local craftspeople and curated tours of in-game locations are just some of the initiatives in the works. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[226,243],"class_list":["post-2013071","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-crawlmanager","tag-ign-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2013071","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2013071"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2013071\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2013071"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2013071"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2013071"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}