Ghost of Yotei ushers players into the early 17th-century world of Ezo (modern-day Hokkaido) as the warrior Atsu. While the main quest drives the action, the open-world adventure hides a delicious array of Easter eggs for fans of Sony’s iconic IPs. Below, we explore the most notable references you can spot as you roam the snowy landscapes of Ezo.
Death Stranding mask Easter egg
One of the most playful callbacks to another PlayStation classic is a “Golden Mask” accessory that nods to Death Stranding. The mask borrows the gleaming, ritual look associated with Higgs, and it sits in a location that invites you to pause and reflect on the bridge between life and death—the game’s recurring theme. A short, cryptic line nearby says, “Where life and death meet, seek connection,” which ties the discovery to the Sam Porter Bridges-era vibes while remaining its own distinct moment in Ghost of Yotei.
inFAMOUS Easter eggs
Sucker Punch’s open-world superhero series also gets a respectful wink in Ghost of Yotei through several references simply waiting to be found. In the southwest region of Ezo, you can locate a Katana skin with the evocative name “Notorious Strike.” Its blade is a cold blue with a striking lightning motif, hinting at Cole MacGrath’s electric powers without overpowering the game’s own identity. Nearby, a mural overlooking a lake near a shrine recreates the scene from inFAMOUS 2, showing a battle with a formidable beast—directly inviting players to recall Cole’s showdowns from that era. To reach the shrine and see the mural, you’ll ride down two dirt roads and look around the lakeside for the hidden artwork that ties the two worlds together.
The Notorious Strike katana skin
This isn’t just a cosmetic; it’s a deliberate nod to Cole’s electrifying repertoire and the way inFAMOUS framed its heroes as urban legends. The blue blade and the accompanying glow imply a power you can feel in action, even as Atsu continues her own journey through the war-torn lands of Edo-period Japan.
Sly Cooper Easter eggs
Turn a corner in Ghost of Yotei and you’ll encounter two wall murals and a mask that clearly reference a certain mischievous raccoon thief. The mask, named the “Mask of the Cunning Thief,” features a small blue triangle on its forehead—a visual cue that fans will recognize as a tribute to Sly Cooper’s stealthy antics. The murals depict a fox and a raccoon-like thief in stylized, cartoonish poses, paying homage to the beloved platformer’s roguish duo in a way that fits Ghost of Yotei’s world without breaking immersion.
Murals and mood
The wall art sits along quiet paths and shrine approaches, inviting exploration as you wander through Ezo. It’s a light reminder that a modern PlayStation lineage isn’t far beneath Atsu’s journey, and it rewards careful observers with extra layers of story texture even when you’re focused on the next objective.
Ghost of Tsushima nods
Aside from the major references highlighted above, the landscape of Ghost of Yotei still hides additional tributes to other PlayStation masterpieces—subtle textures and environmental cues that fans may spot on a second or third playthrough. We’ll circle back with a dedicated guide if you want a deeper dive into those Ghost of Tsushima-inspired touches.
Final notes
Ghost of Yotei remains an exclusive PlayStation 5 experience, blending Atsu’s Edo-period adventure with familiar PlayStation IP flavor. The Easter eggs reward curious players with extra context, a dash of humor, and a sense of shared history across the console’s storied library. If you’re chasing every secret, keep an eye out for masked figures, horned murals, and lightning-blue steel—the hallmarks of a game that loves to wink at its own lineage.
