Why Ghost of Yotei rejected Breath of the Wild’s climbing system

Ghost of Yotei cut Zelda-style climbing for “Way of the Ronin”

During a recent panel at GDC 2026, Sucker Punch Productions shared fascinating insights into the development of Ghost of Yotei, the highly anticipated sequel to Ghost of Tsushima. Creative directors Nate Fox and Jason Connell revealed that the game’s protagonist, Atsu, almost had the ability to climb any surface, similar to the mechanics found in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. However, after extensive internal testing, the team decided to scrap the feature entirely. According to the directors, free climbing simply didn’t align with the core identity of being a “wandering Ronin.”

The “Stamina Bar” experiment and immersion

In the early stages of production, the developers experimented with a verticality system that included a stamina bar. If players ran out of energy while scaling a mountain in the lands surrounding Mount Yotei, they would fall to their death. Jason Connell explained that the team constantly asked themselves one question during this phase: “Does this make you feel like a wandering Ronin?” Ultimately, they felt that struggling against a stamina meter on a cliffside felt more like a mountain climber simulator than a samurai epic. They decided that if a feature didn’t reinforce the fantasy of the character, it was a “bad feature” for their specific world.

Navigating the “Walls of Content”

Nate Fox added a practical reason for the removal of free climbing. The world of Ghost of Yotei is designed with specific “pathways” that guarantee a reward at the end of a climb. In a completely open system like Zelda, players might spend ten minutes scaling a massive peak only to find nothing at the top. This leads to “exploration fatigue.” By returning to the guided climbing system seen in the first game, Sucker Punch ensures that every time a player chooses to climb, there is a meaningful discovery, a stunning vista, or a collectible waiting for them.

The key takeaways from the GDC talk regarding Ghost of Yotei include:

• Identity Over Mechanics: The “Way of the Ronin” remains the guiding principle for every gameplay decision.
• Refined Exploration: Sucker Punch prefers “curated paths” to ensure players are always rewarded for their effort.
• Atsu’s Mobility: While free climbing is out, Atsu still features expanded movement options suited for the rugged terrain of 1603 Hokkaido.
• Exclusive Platform: The game remains a marquee title designed specifically to push the hardware of the PlayStation 5.

The directors admitted they probably should have realized sooner that free climbing didn’t fit the “Ghost” DNA. By focusing on the grounded, atmospheric journey of a lone warrior, Sucker Punch aims to deliver an even more immersive experience than the original. Ghost of Yotei is available now exclusively on PlayStation 5, inviting players to carve their own path through the snow-covered wilds of northern Japan.