Sucker Punch just dropped a bomb. When Ghost of Yotei was first announced, we all expected more of the same—more katanas, more beautiful leaves, and more stealth. But then the leaks and official teasers started mentioning the Reliquary of Faith Ghost of Yotei system, and suddenly, the "Ghost" formula feels completely different.
Honestly? It's about time.
The year is 1603. Jin Sakai is long gone. We are in the lands surrounding Mount Yotei, a place that, at this point in history, wasn't even fully under the thumb of the Shogunate. It was the wild frontier. This isn't just a sequel; it’s a total mechanical overhaul. The Reliquary of Faith isn't some boring menu item or a simple skill tree. It represents a fundamental shift in how Atsu, our new protagonist, interacts with the world and the various factions vying for power in the Ezo region. If you thought the "Ghost" legend was just about fear, you’re only seeing half the picture.
What the Reliquary of Faith Ghost of Yotei Actually Is
Let’s get into the weeds.
The Reliquary of Faith Ghost of Yotei functions as a central hub for Atsu’s spiritual and political influence. In Ghost of Tsushima, Jin’s progression was mostly about his personal growth—how many Mongol camps he burned or how many bamboo strikes he completed. In Yotei, the world is less "invaded" and more "unsettled." The Reliquary is a physical and metaphorical collection of artifacts, oaths, and "faith" points gathered from the diverse groups living near the mountain, including the indigenous Ainu-inspired peoples and the displaced ronin.
It’s basically a reputation system on steroids.
You aren't just leveling up a sword. You're building a legacy that persists through the Reliquary. As you perform specific tasks that align with certain "faiths" or ideologies, the Reliquary changes. It’s not just about being "good" or "bad." That’s too simple. It’s about which version of the Ghost the people believe in. Do they see a vengeful spirit? Or a protector of the old ways? The artifacts you place within the Reliquary—gained from major story beats and hidden exploration—directly dictate which supernatural "charms" or combat stances become available. It’s a way to marry the narrative to the gameplay without forcing you into a linear path.
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The Cultural Weight of the Reliquary
The setting of 1603 Ezo (modern-day Hokkaido) is crucial here. Unlike Tsushima, which was a structured samurai society, the area around Mount Yotei was a melting pot of different belief systems. The developers have been very clear about wanting to respect the history of the Ainu people and the rugged nature of the northern frontier.
The Reliquary of Faith Ghost of Yotei reflects this by moving away from strictly Shinto or Buddhist imagery. Instead, it leans into animism.
You'll find that the "Faith" aspect of the Reliquary grows when you protect sacred sites or recover lost relics that have nothing to do with the Shogunate. It’s a fascinating pivot. You’re not fighting for a Lord anymore. You’re fighting for the soul of the land. This means the Reliquary becomes a visual representation of your journey. If you spend your time helping the common folk against corrupt officials, your Reliquary might glow with different hues or house specific totems that grant you "Spirit of the North" abilities. It’s personalized. It’s deep. And it’s exactly what the franchise needed to avoid feeling like a map-clearing simulator.
How it impacts your loadout
Think of the Reliquary as your gear's "brain."
Instead of just swapping out outfits for different perks, the Reliquary acts as a permanent modifier.
- Totemic Bindings: Small items found in the world that can be slotted into the Reliquary to change the elemental properties of Atsu's firearms or blades.
- Vows of Silence: Specific gameplay challenges that, when completed, "consecrate" an item in the Reliquary, giving you permanent stealth buffs.
- The Wolf’s Influence: Since we know Atsu has a wolf companion, certain Reliquary upgrades specifically enhance the animal's AI and combat utility.
It’s a bit more "RPG" than the first game, but it doesn't feel bloated. It feels earned.
Why Everyone is Obsessing Over the "Faith" Mechanic
People are worried. I get it. Whenever you hear "Faith" or "Religion" in a game, you think of annoying morality meters that punish you for playing how you want. But from what we’ve seen of the Reliquary of Faith Ghost of Yotei, it’s not a morality bar.
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It’s more like a "Legend" bar.
In the first game, the "Ghost" was a fixed legend. Everyone feared the same guy. In Ghost of Yotei, the legend is malleable. If you use the Reliquary to lean into the "Faith of the Hunter," your wolf becomes more prominent in the story, and NPCs react to you as a folk hero. If you lean into the "Faith of the Shadow," you become a ghost story that parents use to scare children.
The stakes feel higher because you’re building this Reliquary from scratch. You aren't Jin Sakai, a fallen noble. You are Atsu, a woman with a mysterious past in a lawless land. The Reliquary is how you define who she is.
Forget What You Knew About Skill Trees
The old way of doing things—spend 2 points to swing your sword harder—is boring.
The Reliquary of Faith Ghost of Yotei replaces that with a "Relic Resonance" system. Basically, you don't just unlock a skill; you inhabit it. Certain relics in the Reliquary require you to perform "Acts of Faith" in the open world to activate them. Want that high-tier chain assassination? You might need to find the Broken Mask of the Ronin and "recharge" it by clearing a specific outpost without being seen.
It forces you to actually play like the character you’re trying to build.
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This creates a gameplay loop where exploration isn't just for collectibles. You're hunting for pieces to complete your Reliquary. It makes the world of Yotei feel dangerous and rewarding. You aren't just wandering through a pretty forest; you’re looking for the shrine that holds the missing piece of your build. It’s a brilliant way to make the "Open World" part of "Open World Game" actually matter.
The Contrast Between Tsushima and Yotei
Jin Sakai fought for a code he eventually broke.
Atsu is fighting in a world where the code hasn't even been written yet.
That is the core difference.
The Reliquary of Faith Ghost of Yotei isn't about honor. It’s about survival and belief. In the late Sengoku period, things were messy. The transition to the Edo period was violent and confusing. By placing a "Reliquary" at the heart of the game, Sucker Punch is signaling that this story is more internal. It’s about what Atsu believes in when there are no lords to follow and no Bushido to guide her.
Actionable Steps for Day One Players
When you finally get your hands on the game, the Reliquary system can be overwhelming. Here’s how to handle it without getting bogged down in the menus.
- Prioritize "Discovery" Relics Early: Don't go for the pure damage buffs right away. Look for items in the Reliquary that increase your "Faith" gain from exploration. It snowballs your progression significantly.
- Watch the Wolf’s Reaction: The wolf isn't just a pet; it’s a compass for the Reliquary. If the wolf is acting strange or leading you to specific spots, there’s usually a Reliquary artifact nearby.
- Don't Fret Over "Missing" Faith: You can’t max out every branch of the Reliquary in a single playthrough. Pick a "vibe" and stick with it. The game is clearly designed for multiple approaches.
- Use the Prose-over-Stats Method: When looking at Reliquary upgrades, read the descriptions. Often, the narrative flavor text gives a better hint at how the ability actually works in combat than the raw percentages do.
The Reliquary of Faith Ghost of Yotei is the heartbeat of this new adventure. It’s a bold move away from the traditional samurai epic and into something more mystical, more personal, and infinitely more atmospheric.
Focus on building your Reliquary based on how you actually enjoy fighting. If you love the new firearms, hunt for relics that belong to the "Alchemist" faith. If you want to be a blade-whirlwind, look for the "Duelist" artifacts. The game won't punish you for your choice, but it will certainly change the world around you based on what you put in that box.
Make sure to explore the hidden valleys on the western slope of the mountain early on. There are rumors of a "Leper’s Relic" that completely changes how your smoke bombs work, turning them into a tool for crowd control rather than just an escape. This is the kind of depth the Reliquary brings. It’s not just a menu. It’s your Ghost.