Ghost of Yotei: Kurosawa, Miike, and Watanabe Modes Explained

As a huge fan, I’m really excited about Ghost of Yotei! It has these awesome cinematic modes – three of them, actually – that let you change how the game looks and feels. You can tweak the settings to make it feel like you’re playing something straight out of a movie or anime, inspired by the styles of famous directors. It’s a really cool way to customize your experience!

As a big fan of Ghost of Tsushima, I was already excited about the Kurosawa mode coming back. But with Ghost of Yotei, they’ve added even more! Along with the style we know and love, we’re getting Watanabe and Miike modes too. Here’s a breakdown of what they each offer.

What is Kurosawa Mode in Ghost of Yotei

Inspired by the films of acclaimed director Akira Kurosawa.

Applies a stylized black and white filter for an immersive cinematic experience.

Once turned on, Kurosawa mode transforms the game with a striking black and white, grainy filter reminiscent of classic samurai films, impacting even the menus. Beyond just the visuals, the audio receives a delicate tonal adjustment, creating the feeling of watching a traditional Japanese black and white movie.

We recommend playing through the game normally the first time, so keep this mode off. Ghost of Yotei is a beautiful game featuring amazing views and landscapes, which you won’t be able to fully enjoy if everything appears in black and white. Ultimately, though, it comes down to what you, the player, prefer.

What is Miike Mode in Ghost of Yotei

Inspired by the films of acclaimed director Takashi Miike.

Adds more mud, more blood, and uses a tighter cinematic camera.

Off-screen attacks are harder to see, making combat more challenging.

Okay, so I turned on Miike mode in Ghost of Yotei and wow, things got messy! It really ramps up the mud and blood effects. I mean, enemies bleed *way* more, and when I’m running around, mud just splatters everywhere and clings to Atsu’s outfit. She looks so much more beat up and disheveled than she usually does – it’s a big visual difference!

Furthermore, Miike mode significantly zooms the camera in during battles, which can make it hard to see attacks coming from the sides or behind you. This closer camera view only happens when you’re fighting; the way you explore the world stays the same. This can be especially challenging for players tackling the Ghost of Yotei’s Lethal difficulty setting.

Miike Mode will only work as intended when the “Show Blood” option under “Display” is toggled ON.

What is Watanabe Mode in Ghost of Yotei

Inspired by the acclaimed anime director Shinichiro Watanabe.

Features original lo-fi music created under the direction of Watanabe.

Activating Watanabe Mode switches the standard Ghost of Yotei music to relaxing lo-fi tracks created specifically for the game. When enabled, these lo-fi soundtracks will play throughout the entire game – during menus, while you explore, and even during battles. Instead of changing based on what’s happening, these songs play one after another in a set order, unlike the normal soundtracks.

When you activate Watanabe mode, the music doesn’t switch from normal soundtracks to lo-fi beats right away. It may take as long as 30 seconds for the change to happen.

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2025-10-02 19:13