Ghost of Yotei: Things Atsu Can Do That Jin Can’t

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Jin is the main character in *Ghost of Tsushima*, a samurai warrior from a respected family. The game starts with the island of Tsushima being invaded by the Mongols, and after suffering heavy losses, Jin sets out on a quest for revenge. While the story of a warrior seeking revenge isn’t new, it’s well-executed, and players are challenged to consider what’s more important: winning at all costs or upholding their honor.

I’m really getting into *Ghost of Yotei* and its main character, Atsu. She’s a samurai like Jin, but her story is a bit different. While Jin was driven by invaders, Atsu’s family was taken down by a group of rogue samurai who ended up controlling the island of Ezo. I’m curious to see what makes Atsu unique – what can *she* do that Jin can’t? I’m diving in to find out, and don’t worry, I won’t spoil anything!

Play The Shamisen

Strings Vs Flutes

Jin’s theme song is stronger, featuring the flute, which suits his character. But when it comes to playing the game, Atsu’s skill with the Shamisen is more fun and interesting.

Players will use this feature similarly to how the Ocarina functions in *The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time* – as a way to discover new things. Different melodies unlock locations like Hot Springs within *Ghost of Yotei*, and each song is usually earned through a compelling quest.

A Master Of The Blades

Going Beyond The Katana

Ghost of Tsushima stood out as a great samurai game thanks to its realistic and impactful combat. Players controlled Jin, who fought with a katana, bow, and other weapons. However, Atsu is a more skilled fighter, learning to use a wider range of weapons as she pursues her revenge.

In the Owl Mountain area of *Ghost of Yotei*, players can learn to wield a Kusarigama – a weapon combining a sickle and chain. They’ll also be able to equip a Yari spear, dual katanas, and the larger Odachi sword.

Improvisational Combat

Disarming And Weapon Throwing

Atsu isn’t just skilled with a wider variety of weapons; she’s also a more adaptable fighter. She can disarm enemies by attacking normally, or she can learn special skills in the *Ghost of Yotei* expansion to make disarming even easier. Once an enemy is disarmed, players can throw their weapon back at them, potentially dealing a lot of damage.

Atsu has a similar range of tools and weapons as Jin, including various bombs and throwing knives. Remarkably, Atsu can carry all this equipment without losing their ability to move quietly, but it’s best not to question the logic of *Ghost of Yotei* too closely.

Wolf Training

If Only There Were Co-Op

Jin was naturally good with animals, having a strong bond with his horse and often observing wildlife like foxes. Despite his efforts, he couldn’t tame the foxes he encountered. In the game *Ghost of Yotei*, while the wolf isn’t completely controllable, players can increase its appearances by completing wolf-related side quests.

Once Atsu reaches her full potential, she’ll be able to summon a wolf simply by playing her Shamisen – she truly becomes a master of wolves. It would have been great to play those wolf sections with a friend, and perhaps Sucker Punch will add cooperative play in a future game. Regardless, Atsu’s ability to control and work with wolves is incredible.

A Zeni Hajiki Player

A Master Of Coin

In *Ghost of Yotei*, money – often called Mon – is essential for buying items and improving Atsu’s equipment. Players can earn Mon quickly by completing bounty quests, and both Jin and Atsu are good at collecting their rewards. The game also features a fun mini-game called Zeni Hajiki, which provides another way to earn coins.

Atsu learned to play this coin-flipping game from her mother and is quite skilled at it. It’s the kind of game that can easily become habit-forming. Although Jin picked up many mini-games in *Ghost of Tsushima*, this one wasn’t among them.

A Born Camper

Just Missing Marshmallows

I always loved how relaxing it was to just rest with my horse in *Ghost of Tsushima* – it was a little moment of peace! But *Ghost of Yotei* takes that to a whole new level. Now, instead of just finding a spot, Atsu can actually *make* a camp pretty much anywhere. She even knows how to build a fire and cook up some fish and mushrooms, which is awesome because it gives you a temporary boost to your stats. It’s a really cool addition!

In addition to these activities, various members of Atsu’s Wolf Pack can visit her camp to chat, or they can enjoy a performance on the Shamisen. Players also have the option to sleep, a feature that was also available at Jin’s camp in *Ghost of Tsushima*.

Meditate Into The Past

But It’s Not Quite Time Travel

In *Ghost of Tsushima*, players could see glimpses of Jin as a child, training to be a samurai with his uncle, which helped flesh out his story. While the game already showed Atsu’s past through certain scenes, *Ghost of Yotei* now lets players actively explore Atsu’s childhood. At her home, players can easily start several quests with Atsu, focusing on things like learning to ride horses or a bow-and-arrow challenge.

This isn’t about actual time travel, but rather a special skill Atsu has in the game. While Jin struggles with his past, Atsu has trained to calmly reflect on it, allowing her to learn and grow in the present moment. It’s more of a gameplay feature that highlights her mental strength.

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2025-10-06 19:05