I was surprised when PlayStation released a new trailer for Ghost of Yōtei this week. It was not just because they dropped it on a random Wednesday instead of waiting for Summer Game Fest or a State of Play. What really surprised me was that PlayStation announced one of its biggest games of 2025 will release in the last quarter of the year a time when most big games avoid because of the upcoming Grand Theft Auto 6.
The First Half of 2025: A Massive 100-Game Pile-Up
The first half of 2025 has seen many popular new game releases. So far players have enjoyed Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, Civilization 7 Avowed Lost Records: Bloom & Rage Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, Monster Hunter Wilds Split Fiction, Assassin’s Creed Shadows Atomfall inZoi South of Midnight Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Oblivion Remastered.
This doesn’t include ports of games like Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition on Switch Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 and The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered on PC or Indiana Jones and the Great Circle or Days Gone Remastered and Forza Horizon 5 on PS5. Plus there are standout indie games like Citizen Sleeper 2 Sunderfolk and Blue Prince 33 Immortals Wanderstop and Eternal Strands. It’s been a surprisingly busy start to the year.
Ghost of Yotei is one of the few games with a confirmed release date for the end of 2025. Many other games are planned for 2025 but their release dates haven't been set yet. While publishers may be hesitant to announce exact dates it's obvious that GTA 6 is the big game everyone's waiting for.
Is the Fear Justified?
It’s clear why a game like Ghost of Yotei would avoid a fall release. Like GTA 6. it’s a big open-world action game with lots of content that could keep players busy for months. It’s also going to be a showcase for current-gen consoles something players have been waiting for since the start of this generation.
I think all this concern is a bit too much. Yes GTA 6 will be a huge game. Yes many people will spend a lot of time on it. And yes GTA 6 will sell a lot which could leave gamers with less money to spend even if it is just a regular $70 release instead of the rumored $100 price.
What if GTA 6 gets delayed to next year? Will publishers hold off on releasing their games just to avoid competing with GTA? Every month GTA 6 is delayed. other games have the chance to succeed. Waiting to release in the last quarter of 2025 might end up being pointless stopping games from reaching their audience and not achieving the goal of avoiding GTA.
Some players might hold off on buying new games because of the tough economy while others still have money to spend. Tariffs won't affect everyone the same way and even those who face higher prices will still look for fun affordable distractions. If Ghost of Yōtei costs $70 and offers over 100 hours of entertainment it is a good deal for players trying to save.
It is pointless to compete with a game that might not release in 2025. Whether GTA 6 comes out or not players will want something to play. By announcing its release date Ghost of Yotei has secured its place. Other publishers should act quickly.
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