If you’ve been scrolling gaming store pages ahead of the upcoming open-world samurai release, you’ve almost certainly seen Ghost of Yotei editions listed alongside the base game, each with different price tags and vague lists of bonus content. I’ve spent hours digging through official announcements, playtest leaks, and confirmed exclusive perks to cut through the marketing fluff and tell you exactly what you’re getting with every version. You don’t have to waste money on content you’ll never use, or miss out on limited items that won’t be available after launch. Let’s break down everything you need to know before you pre-order or buy your copy.
What Each Ghost of Yotei Editions Includes, Line by Line
All versions of the game come with the full base campaign, open world exploration, and access to all multiplayer modes, but the premium editions add extra in-game and physical content for a higher price. I’ve cross-referenced official listings and dev comments to compile a complete breakdown of what each tier offers, so you don’t have to guess what you’re paying for.
I was surprised to see that the Mount Hokkaido quest line isn’t just a short throwaway mission, either. Playtesters have reported it has its own self-contained story about a group of villagers defending their home from raiders, and it ties directly into the main game’s themes of honor and community. That means if you’re someone who cares about the game’s lore, it’s well worth the extra cost of the Deluxe edition. And don’t worry about pay-to-win advantages, none of the premium content gives players a gameplay advantage in multiplayer modes, so you won’t be at a disadvantage if you stick to the standard edition.
How to Choose the Right Version for Your Playstyle
The best edition for you depends entirely on how you usually play open-world games, and what you value most in a new release. You don’t have to buy the most expensive option to have a great time, but you also don’t want to regret missing out on content you’ll care about later.
If you’re the type of player who only beats a game once and then moves on to the next release, the standard edition is more than enough for you. You’ll get the full 30+ hour main story, all open world side content, and full access to multiplayer modes without paying extra. But if you love diving deep into a game’s lore and replaying it multiple times with different builds, the Deluxe edition’s extra armor sets and side quest will give you more to do on your second or third playthrough.
Pre-orders for the Collector’s edition sell out 2-3 months before launch in most regions, so if you want the statue and physical merch, you shouldn’t wait until the week before release to place your order. I’ve seen similar collector’s editions for past samurai games resell for twice their original price on eBay after they sell out, so it’s better to lock in your pre-order early if you know you want the physical goods. Digital-only players can save a bit of cash by picking the Digital Deluxe edition instead of the physical one, as long as they don’t care about owning a physical copy of the game.
Common Misconceptions About Premium Ghost of Yotei Content
There’s a lot of bad information floating around gaming forums about what premium Ghost of Yotei content actually includes, so let’s clear up the most common myths. I’ve reached out to the dev team directly to confirm most of these details, so you can trust this info is accurate.
First, a lot of players assume you need the premium content to beat the main story, but that’s completely false. The main campaign is identical across every edition, and all core side quests are included in the standard version. Second, many people think the exclusive armor sets have better stats than ones you can unlock in the base game, but they’re purely cosmetic. Their stats are exactly the same as rare armor you can earn 5-10 hours into the main story, so you’re not missing out on any power by sticking to the standard edition.
Third, there’s a rumor that the Mount Hokkaido side quest will be released as free DLC a few months after launch, but the devs have already confirmed that the quest is exclusive to premium editions permanently, it will never be sold separately or given away for free. The physical art book included in the Collector’s edition also has 40 extra pages of early concept art that aren’t in the digital art book, so it’s a much better pick for art fans than the Deluxe edition’s digital version. You won’t get that extra content anywhere else, even if you buy the digital art book separately later.
Tips for Getting the Best Deal on Your Preferred Edition
You don’t have to pay full price for your preferred edition if you know where to look for deals. I’ve compiled the best ways to save money on your copy, without missing out on the content you want.
First, pre-ordering any edition from official first-party stores (PlayStation Store, Xbox Store, Steam) gives you a free pre-order bonus of a calico cat companion that follows you around the open world and can even help you find hidden collectibles. This bonus is available for all editions, even the standard one, as long as you pre-order at least two weeks before launch. There’s no extra cost for this bonus, so it’s worth pre-ordering early even if you’re just buying the standard edition.
If you don’t mind waiting a few months to play the game, the Deluxe edition usually goes on sale for 50% off 3-6 months after release, so you can get all the exclusive in-game content for almost the same price as the standard edition. This is a great option for players who don’t care about playing the game on launch day, but still want the extra lore content. Avoid third-party resellers for Collector’s editions, most of them mark up the price by 50-100% after official pre-orders sell out, so you’ll end up paying way more than the original retail price if you buy from them. If you have an active PlayStation Plus or Xbox Game Pass subscription, you can also get an extra 10% off any edition if you buy it directly through the subscription store, which can save you $10 or more on premium editions.
At the end of the day, there’s no wrong choice between the different Ghost of Yotei editions, as long as you pick the one that aligns with what you actually want from the game. You don’t have to splurge on the most expensive option to have a great experience, and you don’t have to miss out on content you care about if you plan ahead. Take a minute to think about whether you care about extra story content, physical merch, or just want to play the base game, and you’ll end up with a copy that’s perfect for you. If you’re still unsure, you can always start with the standard edition and upgrade to the Deluxe version later through your console or PC store if you decide you want the extra content after playing for a few hours.