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The release of Ghost of Yotei has been great for PlayStation 5 owners. The game has an interesting story about revenge and family to follow with a likable character, but the environment in this version of Ezo, Japan is a beautiful landscape to traverse and gaze upon. Players have been able to ride on horseback through the many fields and tree-covered forests of Ezo, while completing a variety of quests set in the many towns and encampments in the shadow of Mount Yotei. But while Atsu's story is a main focus for what players will interact with in Ghost of Yotei, there are tons of other things scattered throughout Ezo that will grab the attention of everyone as they travel the land. One of those is how nature has a strong presence that is felt throughout Ezo. At various points in the game, animals will appear and give a sense of wonder to the landscapes that everyone travels through. Whether you're looking to increase maximum health in a hot spring, riding your horse across a large field, or simply looking for the many secrets hidden in nearby dens, you'll encounter a few animals along the way. It's something that makes Ghost of Yotei feel whimsical in some ways, almost lurring the lines between its heavy emphasis on realism and the mythical aspects of its location. Here are three ways that nature has a big presence throughout Ghost of Yotei, and why it makes the game even better. Some company at hot springs Animals showing up when bathing In Ghost of Yotei, having Atsu bath in hot springs she comes across will increase your maximum health. This is important for some of the tougher, and more dangerous, battles that happen in the latter parts of the story. While going through the different parts of Ezo, some of the hot springs that you find will have various notes nearby. These notes will offer a riddle or suggest something that you should do before entering the hot spring. This can be anything from playing a song with Atsu's shamisen instrument, drinking some sake, or even lighting a nearby lantern beforehand. While doing this doesn't add any extra health or specific benefit to Atsu herself, they do result in something happening. When Atsu enters the hot spring, animals will show up and roam behind her. The types of animals that appear won't be the same every time, but you can notice them moving around the hot spring as Atsu is reflecting on a topic. Once you get the health increase and Atsu exits the spring, you can go up to the animals that appeared. In some hot springs, you'll encounter animals like deer or a herd of horses, while in others there will be bears and elk that can show up. Some of the hot springs will have fireflies that illuminate the area around the hot spring, giving some additional eye candy to the area. When some of the larger animals appear, Atsu can pet them. Unfortunately, you can't pet every animal that shows up, even if they are not hostile towards you. AT one of the hot springs you bath in, the Wolf that helps Atsu throughout the game can also appear if you do the task that the nearby note asks from you. All of this isn't anything that changes the game in a big way, but it's neat to see if you love exploring the different parts of Ezo and want to get closer to some of the wildlife. Foxes abound everywhere The mischievous and fun critters The foxes that Atsu encounters throughout Ghost of Yotei are a bit more special than some of the other animals roaming around. They're not only a big nod to the previous game, Ghost of Tsushima, but they're tied to the mythology that is present throughout the game. While the Wolf can assist Atsu in battles as the story progresses, foxes are tied to the various shrines hidden throughout Ezo. But that's not the only time that foxes show up, both in and out of quests that you undertake. Sometimes, the foxes are just doing what they do in goofy and funny ways, and their presence is always known. Some side quests will have foxes show up for no reason, usually as a guide or just to be mischievous animals that are tied to the narrative of a quest. At the same time, foxes could also show up when you're interacting with side activities like the bamboo strikes that level up your spirit. When they show up, they won't do much but observe and cheer you on when completing a task. In some cases, you'll be able to pet a fox that is nearby, especially if you finish with a fox shrine after following one from its den. Ghost of Yotei has a lot of references and nods to Japanese folklore and mythology, which includes many references to foxes. Not only is one of the Yotei Six known as the Kitsune, who you come across later in the game, but multiple masks and other equipment that Atsu obtains have references to foxes as well. They're an important part of old Japanese culture, which is a huge part of Ghost of Yotei that is woven into the many aspects of the main plot. But outside of that, foxes are just doing what they do throughout all of Ezo. Herds in the open areas The extra detail to landscapes Some of the most beautiful scenes in the game are when you're riding a horse in-between areas, where there are vast fields or plains filled with life in the area. Some of those locations are wide open and filled with various enemies and allies roaming through the roads and populated areas. But some of what you see can include herds of animals galloping by in one direction or another, which look majestic in motion. It's good enough to make you want to try running alongside them, if you can keep up. Looking at this while on horseback as you travel can add a serene element to the gameplay, making the landscape look like a painting with all the colors on display. But what's interesting is how many of these herds of animals can also interact with one another, as well as other characters nearby. Sometimes, an animal like a bear can be nearby and cause the whole group to scatter and run away. At the same time, some enemies might even attack hostile animals that are close by, giving you an edge against them in combat or just a free show to watch as they struggle against it. It's extra details like this that make everything about Ezo feel more alive. The trees and fields full of plants add a lot of depth to what you see, but the animals roaming around freely within all of it takes things to a new level. And with each region of Ezo having its own unique layouts and details that build upon it, things can look very impressive and feel very dynamic on the PlayStation 5. Nature is present in Yotei
