Final Fantasy 14’s Yoshi-P Praises Ghost of Yotei as “Outstanding” and a Personal Favorite from 2025: “I Gained a Lot from It”

While Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 captured a lot of attention this year, Ghost of Yotei also made a significant impact in terms of popularity. Naoki Yoshida, the director of Final Fantasy 14, expressed his admiration for Sucker Punch’s sequel, naming it his favorite game of 2025.

This insight comes from an annual round-up where prominent game developers in Japan share their reflections on the past year and their favorite titles. Yoshida mentioned, “I’ve played many different games this year, but the one I still find myself playing whenever I find the time is Ghost of Yotei.” He noted that the game taught him a lot about technical aspects and production skills.

Such high praise isn’t surprising. Ghost of Yotei, much like its predecessor Ghost of Tsushima, is a remarkable achievement, featuring a breathtaking recreation of 1600s Japan that players can explore at their leisure. The setting resonated even more with Yoshida, given his personal connection to the region.

Yoshida, hailing from Hokkaido, remarked on how the game beautifully captured the essence of Mount Yotei, a place he cherished during his snowboarding trips to Niseko. “The recreation of that beauty was truly outstanding!” he stated.

With his deep understanding of game design and personal experience in the area, few are as well-equipped as Yoshida to evaluate Sucker Punch’s work. Although the open-world sequel may not have taken home awards at The Game Awards, this endorsement is certainly one to cherish.

It does make one curious about Yoshida’s thoughts on the lofi mode—perhaps a question for 2026!