- Not "checklist" open world design, strong focus on taking things at your own pace and chasing content that excites you
- Atsu is not a Samurai nor a Ninja but a lone mercernery who will use every possible trick to win fights
- Combat has the feel of a classic samurai movie
- You can change weapons on the fly, this takes the place of the Stances system of the first game
- Katana, Spear Kusarigama, odachi and Dual Swords are the new weapon classes and each type has entirely unique skills
- Each weapon type is suited for a different enemy type so switching weapons often is important
- Atsu can lose her weapon if she is hit hard but if she moves quick, she can disarm enemies
- Chain assassinations are back
- Ghost of Yotei introduces guns with an all-new rifle to use as a ranged weapon, bows are still around as well
- Kunai, bombs and blinding powder are all tools you can use as well
- Atsu is known as an "Onryo", a vengeful ghost bent on taking vengence
- Atsu returns to her family home, with a press of a button you can go back in time and re-live her childhood
- "Clue System" that allows you to interrogate enemies
- You can ask about the Oni, The Kitsune and Saito
- Atsu draws cards for each clue gathered and her
- As you complete more quests, Atsu's legend grows and more dangerous foes appear
- Hunt down bounties for coin by picking up a wanted poster in town
- You can slide down hills to descend from areas faster
- Follow birds to Altars to unlock new abilities from the skill tree or buy a map from a cartographer
- Use a Spy Glass to find something interesting on the horizon then follow the wind to your destination
- Riding through Flowers gives a speed boost
- You can fight alongside your very own Wolf
- Setting up camp to cook food, rest and meet various different characters including unique vendors
- Instead of a journal menu, the all-new "Wolf Pack" menu shows all the various allies you have gathered and what new opportunities they offer whether that's a new skill or a new quest
- Often your wolf pack members will come to visit your camps to give you new abilities or vendors
- Photo mode is back
- Full dubbed Japanese with lip sync mode available at launch as well as Kurosawa Mode is back in full black & white visuals
- Two new modes: Miike mode brings the camera closer and increases the brutality of combat, Watanabe Mode adds a lo-fi soundtrack to the game directed by Watanabe himself
