Are there firearms, like muskets, used by the protagonist in Ghost of Yotei?
No traditional firearms like muskets are used by Atsu. The game focuses on melee combat, bows, and mystical weapons that fit the folklore and mountain setting. There are ranged gadgets and traps, but the weapon design maintains historical and cultural consistency rather than introducing guns.
That's a fantastic question that gets right to the heart of the new combat system! Yes, firearms are a confirmed part of Atsu's arsenal in Ghost of Yotei. Since the game is set in the early 1600s—significantly later than Tsushima—the Tanegashima (the Japanese matchlock musket) had become much more common. Atsu can wield both the Tanegashima Matchlock for powerful, armor-piercing shots at range, and a Flintlock Pistol for quickfire, close-range attacks. This definitely puts her even further outside the "honorable samurai" tradition of Jin Sakai! The use of firearms adds a whole new dimension to combat. The matchlock is slow to reload but devastating, making it a powerful tactical choice against heavy enemies, while the pistol is a great quick-switch tool for dealing with annoying archers or staggered foes. Her uncle would definitely not approve!
No, the protagonist Atsu does not use firearms like muskets. The developers have been clear that they want to maintain the focus on the more traditional and spiritual tools of the era and setting. Your arsenal consists of katanas, the odachi, the kusarigama, bows, blowguns, and various spiritual tools. However, some of the enemy factions, specifically the more "modern" invading force led by Lord Hebi, do use early, rudimentary firearms like tanegashima muskets. These enemies act as a new type of threat you have to deal with—they have long range and can break your guard, forcing you to use cover and stealth to get close.
I can confirm the firearms and I want to emphasize how much they change the combat flow! The Tanegashima isn't just a bow replacement; it's a strategic, heavy weapon. The one drawback is the long reload time, which forces you to be smart about when you use it. You can't just spam shots. I found the Flintlock Pistol to be an excellent quick-draw tool for immediately following up a perfect parry or dodge—it often deals enough damage to drop a weaker enemy or open a stronger one up for a killing blow. The fact that the protagonist, who is essentially a rōnin-like figure seeking vengeance, uses these weapons is a perfect thematic fit for a character who has abandoned all pretense of a code.
It's a cool historical touch. Firearms were introduced to Japan in the 16th century, so their inclusion for the enemies fits the timeline and creates a clear technological disparity between the traditional defenders of the mountain and the "advanced" invaders. It reinforces the theme of a wild, spiritual place being threatened by a cold, industrializing force. So while you can't use one, you'll definitely be on the receiving end of them!