Ghost of Yotei could not open in a more badass way if it tried. Taking control of the new character, Atsu, and eliminating one of her six chosen enemies is a great way to start, and it should make players feel like an all-powerful female samurai. Not long after, players will gain access to the enchanting open world of Ezo, but it can be daunting when faced with so much freedom without knowing what to do first.
Is it better to follow the story of Ghost of Yotei, which will lead to unlocks? Perhaps it’s a better idea to explore and level up Atsu through several upgrade paths. Well, for those who like exploring and taking on quests, these are the early ones not to miss for the rewards and experiences that they offer. There will be no spoilers, so fear not!
Lost In Reflection
A Side Quest to Learn About How to Upgrade Atsu's Skills and Abilities
- Location: Yotei’s Shadow Inn
- Reward: Mon
One of the first locations players should visit in the game is the Yotei’s Shadow Inn, which is marked on the map for story purposes. He may not be there right away, but players can meet Isaburo the Cartographer here, who will sell maps and also give players the Lost in Reflection quest.
Players need to head south of the inn to find Gessho, a monk, who will lead players to an Altar of Reflection. These are how players can learn skills in Ghost of Yotei, which is a good quest not to miss, as this will teach players how to spot more altar locations.
Takezo The Unrivaled
Unlock the Potential of a Fierce Rival and an Epic Charm
- Location: South of Yotei’s Shadow Inn
- Reward: Takezo’s Charm of the Unrelenting Warrior (Deal More Damage At Low Health)
Players can take bounties from places like the Yotei’s Shadow Inn, which is a good way to practice swordplay and get Mon, the currency of the game. There is a greater bounty-like quest players can check out if they head south of the inn and cross the river.
In a big field, they will see a barren tree, a Dueling Tree, covered in paper, along with one of the Disciples of Takezo. After defeating this initial samurai, a trader will appear, Ugetsu, who will give players a bigger quest in Ghost of Yotei called Takezo the Unrivaled, which players should finish as they get stronger. For this starting match, players will get Takezo’s Charm of the Unrelenting Warrior, which will let players do more damage at low health.
Sleight Of Hand
Get Addicted To Zeni Hajiki, the Gambling Minigame
- Location: Near Tranquil Falls
- Reward: Mon
South of the first Dueling Tree, at a camp near the Tranquil Falls, players will meet an unnamed NPC simply called Ronin. He will invite players to Lake Kuttara, which will start the Sleight of Hand quest. His inn, the Kuttara Gambling Den, has been taken over by Saito’s Outlaws.
Alongside Ronin, players will cut through dozens of enemies, which will unlock the mini-game Zeni Hajiki, which will net players some more Mon and provide a fun new experience to play. Playing Zeni Hajiki with Ronin will unlock some secrets about Atsu’s mom, so it’s worth doing right after Sleight of Hand wraps up.
The Repunkur Canteen
Explore The Cliffs Of Ezo for Pillars of the Fallen
- Location: Southwest of Kuttara Gambling Den
- Reward: Mon
This quest technically has no name, but there’s a good reason to start it early. Southwest of the Kuttara Gambling Den, players will meet an elderly Ainu traveler, who has no official name, but he may as well be referred to as the Ainu Askur Trader, as that’s the name of his fast travel location.
For some coin, this trader wants his bottle of Askur alcohol back, so players have to do a bit of platforming on some high cliffs above the sea. On the way back, players can start another quest by talking to a female Settler about her fallen husband. There are more pillars scattered across the world with items, and at this location, players can get the creepily cool scabbard for Ghost of Yotei’s Wolf Blade called the Unyielding Tempest.
Old Trails
Choose Your Forever Horse and Give It a Name
- Location: Southwest of Yotei’s Shadow Inn
- Reward: Choose A New Horse
Players cannot catch horses in the game, even though they are all over the grasslands of Ezo. However, they don’t have to settle for their white horse. Southwest of the Yotei’s Shadow Inn, players will find an old stable and a Settler who is being hassled by goons. After dealing with the samurai, players can track some missing horses in a flashback with Atsu’s father.
After the flashback, the Settler will let players choose between three horses, with one of them being the original white horse. It’s all a visual cosmetic as there are no benefits, but it is a cool quest to help Atsu reflect on her past and to give players some choices in horse color and name.
The Loss We Carry
Winnie The Pooh’s Cousin Provides a Useful Charm
- Location: Near Serpent’s Pass
- Reward: Toku’s Charm of Blessings (Earn More Spirit)
The Loss We Carry quest in Ghost of Yotei can be started by following the river north of the Yotei’s Shadow Inn, around a place called Serpent’s Pass. Here, players will meet a traveler named Toku and his bear, who want them to find a charm to then place on a girl’s grave.
There are some spoilers to this quest, but let’s just say it leads to a few scuffles with samurai, along with a heartfelt end. The ultimate reward for the quest is Toku’s Charm of Blessings, which can raise more Spirit in battle. Spirit is how players can use skills like healing.
The Spider Lily General
A Spooky Samurai Tale for Some Spooky Samurai Armor
- Location: Near Shizunai Woods
- Reward: Spider Lily Armor
The Spider Lily General is probably the coolest non-story quest in Ghost of Yotei that players can tackle early. Southeast of the area where players started The Loss We Carry quest, players will have to go through the Shizunai Woods to find a gate. Here, Ugetsu will appear again to warn players of the ghost of the Spider Lily General. Atsu does not believe the tale and heads through the foggy gate anyway.
To dodge spoilers again, players need to find four keys in this area and fight a few samurai in this somewhat lengthy quest. Afterward, they can get the amazing Spider Lily Armor, which has some good stats and looks pretty cool on Atsu.