10 Ghost of Yotei Tips to Stop You From Dying Constantly

So, you’ve been dropped into the gorgeous, but utterly lethal, world of Ezo and are getting repeatedly sliced into sashimi by common bandits. Good. That’s part of the plan. But it doesn't have to stay that way.

Ghost of Yotei is a masterpiece, but it throws a million new systems at you and explains about half of them. I've spent countless hours in this beautiful nightmare, from my first pathetic death to finally hunting down the last of the Yotei Six. I’m here to give you the essential tips that will make your first dozen hours a hell of a lot smoother.

1. Let the Wind (and Birds) Be Your Guide

The world of Ezo is massive, and your map starts painfully empty. Instead of wandering like a lost tourist, just swipe up on your controller's touchpad. A gust of wind will always point you toward your currently tracked objective. It's your built-in, magical GPS. Use it.

Also, keep your eyes peeled. If you see a golden bird, follow it. These aren't just pretty bits of scenery; they will lead you to important locations like hidden shrines, hot springs, or other secrets. And when you're just exploring, press up on the d-pad to use your spyglass. Pan around the horizon and if the crosshair glows yellow, focus on it to mark a new point of interest on your map.

2. Your First, Most Important Stop

The game gives you the freedom to go wherever you want right from the start. Ignore that freedom. Very early on, you'll get a quest to investigate an "Old Inn." Do this mission immediately. I'm serious. Drop whatever you're doing and complete it.

Finishing this one quest unlocks the bowyer, the armorer, the cartographer, and the bounty board. It's the key that opens up almost every important progression system in the game. You also get "Onryo's Howl," a powerful ability that makes enemies cower in fear. Get it done.

3. The Art of Not Dying Instantly

Combat is brutal. Your character, Atsu, is not a tank; she's a glass cannon. A few solid hits will send you to an early grave, so you need to learn how to defend yourself. Your first instinct in every fight should be survival, not aggression.

Blocking (holding L1) will stop most basic attacks. When an enemy's weapon glows blue, it's an unblockable thrust that you must parry by tapping L1 just as the attack is about to land. If the glow is red, get the hell out of the way. That's a truly unblockable attack that you can only dodge (Circle button). And if you see a yellow glint, they're trying to disarm you. Hold and release Triangle at the right moment to counter it.

4. Spirit Is Everything

See those yellow pips above your health bar? That's your Spirit. It's the most important resource you have. You spend it to heal yourself and to unleash your most powerful abilities. You gain more Spirit by killing enemies, successfully parrying attacks, and using advanced techniques.

Never let your Spirit meter sit full. If you're not at full health, use it to heal. If you are, use it to unleash a special move to end the fight faster. Managing this resource is the key to surviving longer, more difficult encounters.

5. Talk to Everyone, Trust No One

The world is filled with NPCs, from travelers on the road to merchants in camps. Talk to all of them. Many will give you useful information about nearby locations or even drop hints about your main targets, the Yotei Six. Your primary goal is to hunt these people down, and asking the right questions can reveal their fighting styles, last known locations, or weaknesses.

6. Bounties Are Your Best Friend

Everything in this world costs money, and upgrades are expensive. After you complete the Old Inn quest, the bounty board becomes your main source of income. Visit every town and inn you find and accept every single bounty contract available.

These missions are a fast and relatively simple way to fill your purse. The target's approximate location will be highlighted on your map with a golden frame, making them easy enough to track down. Make this a regular part of your gameplay loop.

7. Camp Like Your Life Depends On It

You can set up a camp almost anywhere in the wilderness by holding left on the d-pad. Do this often. It’s a free, mobile base of operations. At camp, you can rest to restore all your health and Spirit, craft ammunition for your bow, and cook food to get powerful temporary buffs. Heading into a tough fight after a good meal can make all the difference.

8. Skills That Don't Suck

The skill tree is massive, but some abilities are far more useful than others early on. Pour your first skill points into the "Assassination" tree. Being able to silently take out an entire outpost of enemies will save you a lot of pain and resources.

Beyond that, "Perfect Dodge" is a must-have, as it allows for a devastating counter-attack after a last-second dodge. "Concentration" slows down time while you're aiming your bow, turning difficult headshots into a simple point-and-click affair.

9. Buy the Damn Maps

The cartographer you unlock at the Old Inn sells maps that reveal the locations of hidden shrines. Buy every single one. These shrines are where you get the skill points needed to unlock all the cool abilities I just mentioned. They are often incredibly well-hidden, and trying to find them on your own is a frustrating waste of time.

10. Don't Forget Your Wolf Pack

Throughout your journey, you'll meet other characters who can join your "Wolf Pack," and you also have a loyal wolf companion. Don't neglect them. Your wolf can assist you in combat, knocking enemies off balance or even reviving you if you fall. Investing a few points in the "Wolf" skill tree is a smart move that can provide a crucial safety net in tough fights.