Janice Verona (Economist)

To build on that, the developers worked with Ainu cultural ambassadors and historians to ensure an authentic portrayal. It shows. The Emishi aren't portrayed as primitive or savage, but as a people with a rich and complex culture living in harmony with a harsh, beautiful land. You'll do quests that involve their rituals, use their unique herbal knowledge for new potions, and even get to wield an Emishi makiri (a traditional knife) as a tool and weapon. It's one of the most well-realized parts of the game's world-building and adds a huge amount of depth to the setting beyond the "typical" samurai narrative.

I really hope it does come to PC. The art direction in this game is stunning, and being able to experience it at ultra settings, with higher resolution textures and an uncapped framerate, would be a dream. The combat is so fast and precise that it would feel incredible on a high-refresh-rate monitor. Fingers crossed the rumors are true and we get an announcement sooner rather than later.

The core game experience is identical in both the Standard and Deluxe editions of Ghost of Yotei. You're not missing out on any main story content, missions, or the open-world map if you just grab the Standard edition. The Digital Deluxe Edition is primarily a bundle of digital cosmetics and utility items. Here's the usual breakdown of what you get for the extra cash: * Exclusive Cosmetics: This typically includes an Armor Dye/Skin set for Atsu, a unique Sword Kit, and sometimes a special Horse and Saddle. These look cool but offer no in-game advantage. * In-Game Utility: The Deluxe version often includes an item like a Traveler's Map early unlock or a specialized Charm. The map unlock can be a slight time-saver for finding collectibles early on. * Digital Goodies: You'll usually get a Mini Digital Soundtrack and a Digital Mini Art Book or a Themes/Avatar set for your console. In short: Standard is the full game; Deluxe is the full game plus some cool early-game fluff and digital art. If you're looking to save money, stick to Standard!

The environment in Ghost of Yotei is a massive leap forward and it's not just cosmetic—it's a literal part of the gameplay mechanics, just like the guiding wind was in the first game! 1. Snow and Traversal: Since the game is set on Ezo (Hokkaido), snow is everywhere, especially in the northern regions near Mount Yōtei. Deep snow can slow Atsu's movement speed and, critically, make her footsteps louder, which affects stealth. Moving through deep snow on horseback also feels much heavier. You'll need to use specific mountain passes or your grappling hook to bypass the heaviest drifts. 2. Blizzards/Fog and Visibility: When a blizzard hits (a new dynamic weather hazard), it severely limits both your visibility and the enemy's. This is a double-edged sword: you can sneak up on them easier, but it's also harder to spot snipers or ambushes. Similarly, volumetric fog often settles in valleys, which is great for the Ghost playstyle, letting you reposition quickly and disappear right in front of an enemy's face!