Okay fam, let's talk about something that's been on my mind ever since the big announcement last year. Back in 2020, Ghost of Tsushima totally blew our minds, right? The visuals, the story, the whole vibe was chef's kiss. And then we all just sat there waiting... and waiting... for the sequel. We were all like, "Obviously it's gonna be Jin Sakai's next chapter!" But oh boy, were we in for a plot twist. The next chapter is Ghost of Yotei, set 300 years later with a brand-new protagonist named Atsu. Don't get me wrong, it looks absolutely fire and I'm low-key hyped, but it left a massive, Jin-shaped hole in my gamer heart. And then it hit me... this is such a Sucker Punch move. They have this pattern of leaving their iconic protagonists hanging.
Let's rewind a bit. Remember Sly Cooper? I know, I know, that takes us way back. The master thief raccoon was my childhood. The last game (Thieves in Time, which wasn't even made by Sucker Punch, but still) literally ended with Sly being zapped back to Ancient Egypt. And then... radio silence. It's been over a decade, and we have zero closure. Is he stuck there? Did he find a way back? The suspense is literally killing me. It's like the ultimate cliffhanger that never got resolved. Talk about an unresolved plotline, amirite? đŠ
Then there's the inFAMOUS saga. Cole MacGrath. The original conduits, the lightning powers, the epic good vs. evil choices. By the end of inFAMOUS 2, it seemed like Cole sacrificed himself to save the world. The ending made it look pretty definitive. But here's the tea â: the fan theories never died. Some hardcore stans are still convinced he's alive out there somewhere. And with Sucker Punch having no official plans (as of 2026) to revive the series, Cole's fate is stuck in this eternal limbo. Is he a ghost? Is he chillin' in another dimension? We may never know, and that's the frustrating part.
Now, back to our main man, Jin Sakai. His ending in Ghost of Tsushima was... complicated. You had to choose: honor the samurai code and kill Lord Shimura, or abandon the code and let him live. Either way, Jin becomes an outlaw, a ghost hunted by the very Shogun he helped save Tsushima from. My personal ending? I let Shimura live. The look on his face... it was heartbreaking. But that choice makes Jin's future even murkier.
So, what's next for Jin? Here's what we know (and don't know):
-
The Shogun's Wrath: He's public enemy number one. A life on the run doesn't sound very peaceful.
-
History's Shadow: The second Mongol invasion of Japan happened just seven years after the first. That's a massive, world-altering event just waiting to be explored with Jin in the middle of it.
-
The Ghost's Legacy: He literally created a new way of fighting. How does that legacy evolve, especially with the Shogun trying to erase him?
It feels like his journey is far from over. Tsushima was saved, but Jin's personal war? It feels like it's just beginning. Sucker Punch has this deep well of potential they could pull from for his story, but instead, we're jumping centuries ahead with Ghost of Yotei. Again, the new game looks insanely compellingâa fresh setting in Hokkaido, a new heroâbut a part of me will always wonder... what about Jin?
The Sucker Punch Protagonist Curse? đ
Let's be real, all three of these guysâSly, Cole, Jinâare iconic. They're characters you get seriously attached to. They have swagger, depth, and stories that stick with you. And that's what makes it so tough when their tales just... stop. No definitive ending, no final bow. Just a fade to black with a million questions.
It's almost become a weird tradition for Sucker Punch. Create an unforgettable hero, tell an amazing story, and then leave their ultimate fate shrouded in mystery. It's kinda their signature move at this point.
Final Thoughts
Look, I'm not saying Ghost of Yotei is a bad idea. Far from it! New eras, new heroesâthat's how franchises stay fresh. And I am 100% ready to embark on Atsu's journey. But can you blame a girl for wanting just one more tale with Jin Sakai? To see if he finds peace, or if he has to face the Shogun's army, or how he survives the coming storm? Just one more adventure to give the Ghost a proper send-off.
For now, Jin joins Sly and Cole in the hall of Sucker Punch legends with uncertain destinies. Will we ever see them again? Only time will tell. But until then, we'll just have to hold onto our theories, replay the old games, and keep that hope alive. Who knows? Maybe in another 300 years (in game time), a descendant of Jin will find his old katana and the cycle will begin again. A girl can dream, right? â¨