Ghost of Yotei’s newly announced Watanabe Mode already has fans excited. The July 10 showcase came with plenty of surprises forGhost of Yoteifans, yet this particular game mode has seemingly stood out the most.
Ghost of Yoteiis getting three new special modes. The first, Kurosawa, is identical toGhost of Tsushima’s black-and-white mode. The second is Miike, inspired by the namesake director of13 Assassins, and the final one is Watanabe, which has quickly become a fan favorite within the community.
To create the Watanabe Mode, Sucker Punch teamed up withSamurai Champloo’s director, Shinichiro Watanabe. The mode lets players listen to original lo-fi tracks made by the legendary anime director while exploring thevast world ofGhost of Yotei. It also serves as a tribute to thelate lo-fi music pioneer Nujabes, known as the Godfather of the genre. He composed the music forSamurai Champlooand 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 onGhost 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 recreateSamurai 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 inGhost of Yotei’s storytelling. Award-winning Japanese composer Toma Otowa, who has provided music for several other games likeRatchet & 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 forGhost of Yotei.
Fans excited aboutGhost of Yotei’s music can alreadyenjoy two of the game’s trackson 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 asGhost of Yotei’s release datedraws closer.
