Ghost of Yotei's fighting and exploring can be tough for new players who aren't familiar with how the series works. The battles require you to stay patient and check out what weapons your enemies are using, while getting around needs you to spot the signs that point you in the right direction.

Don't worry, this guide goes over everything a beginner should know, with handy tips and tricks.

Ghost Of Yotei Ultimate Guide For Beginners

Do Not Rush Into Completing Main Quests

The main quests show up as yellow circles with a ginkgo tree in the center on your map. In Ghost of Yotei, it's better not to hurry through these main missions. Take time to check out the area you're in, go where the wind leads you, finish side quests, and talk to NPCs to see what they have.

Doing this helps you get special items in the game, like weapons, techniques, and cosmetic gear. Ezo has lots of spots like Hot Springs, Altars of Reflection, Bamboo Strikes, and Pillars of the Fallen to discover. The first three give real advantages: Hot Springs boost your Max Health, Bamboo Strikes raise your Max Spirit, and Altars of Reflection help unlock techniques.

Ezo also has hidden stuff like the Storyteller myth missions, which feature the Jin Sakai easter egg. You'll handle the Yotei Six and their forces more easily if you've grabbed rewards from these side activities.

Look For Audio Cues, Golden Birds, And Out-of-Place Looking Trees

Ghost of Yotei's open world is huge, packed with different spots that offer various rewards. As you wander through Ezo, keep an ear out for sudden changes in sounds, watch for a Golden Bird flying above, look for smoke far off, or spot a tree that stands out, like one with yellow or red leaves among all green ones. Go check those out, since they usually lead to points of interest you can explore or figure out.

Take Bounties

In Ghost of Yotei, bounties are a simple way to earn coins fast. Go to the Bounty Board in any village, pick up the posters, finish the tasks, and collect rewards from Kojiro. These bounties aren't boring; Sucker Punch has given the targets their own personalities. The rewards make it worthwhile.

Use Your Spyglass

The Spyglass (up on the d-pad) is a great tool for exploring in Ghost of Yotei. If you climb to a high spot in a region, you can scan the area with it. Point it at any interesting spots, and they'll get marked on your map so you can visit them later.

Combat – Block, Dodge, Parry, And Learn

 

Ghost of Yotei's combat feels more natural and smooth than in Ghost of Tsushima, thanks to all the new weapons. Still, take your time in fights, especially against bosses. Battles here can be intense, and one wrong move can cost you big.

Know Your Loadout

Keep an eye on the armor and charms you unlock as you play Ghost of Yotei. A lot of new players overlook this, but it can make a real difference in how things go. Charms and armor come with stats that boost certain ways of playing. Whether you prefer stealth, direct attacks, or just wandering around, Ghost of Yotei has options; you just have to unlock them.

With the Loadout system, you can save different setups and switch them anytime. Have one for getting the most from exploring and another for fighting.

Do Not Blindly Unlock Techniques

Ghost of Yotei has tons of techniques to unlock, and it can overwhelm beginners on what to pick. Remember two key points: read what they do, and don't just stick to weapons.

There are many categories, each adding something to your play. Think about how you want to fight or explore, and choose techniques that fit that best. Unlocking ones for weapons matters, but don't ignore the others.

Loot, Loot, Loot

Always remember to pick up items as you travel through Ezo in Ghost of Yotei. Most places have a lot to grab, like on Mt. Yotei, so don't hurry past without searching everywhere. This goes for clearing out enemy camps too. You'll find things like throwable weapons, ammo, and metals.

Traveller’s Map

Isaburo the cartographer sells Traveller’s Maps in Ghost of Yotei for 50 coins. You have to place them correctly on the big map to uncover a point of interest. You can also get a free Traveller’s Map from NPCs, such as Settlers leading their horse in the wild or a Matsumae soldier by a freed enemy camp, pointing to a nearby spot.

Camps

Setting up camps is a regular thing in Ghost of Yotei, and check our Ghost of Yotei Camp Guide (Cook, NPC Meet, Sleep, and More) for details. Camps let you refill all Spirits, fast travel to your last camp, make ammo and throwable weapons, talk to NPCs if they show up, play the Shamisen, and pass time.