Ghost of Yotei horse choice explained – does it matter which one you choose?

✓ VideoGamer summary

• You’ll have three horses to choose from: black, white, and mottled gray.
• Other than the way they look, there’s no mechanical difference between the choices.
• The horse you pick stays with you for the entire playthrough.

The Ghost of Yotei horse choice is the first decision you’ll come across when you’re let loose into the Yotei Grasslands to explore freely. It pops up during the Old Trails Tales quest in the stables southeast of Shikotsu Woods. You’ll pick up the quest after visiting Atsu’s childhood home.

With it being so early on, it can feel like a big decision; your choice of stead will stick with you for the rest of the game. In reality, there isn’t much to it, and it comes down to personal preference. Here’s the Ghost of Yotei horse choice explained, and whether it matters which one you choose.

Which horse should you pick in Ghost of Yotei?

You have three choices: a white horse, a black horse, and a mottled gray one. Other than the way they look, there is no difference between the three. They all behave and control in the same way and have identical speed and movement stats. 

In other words, your Ghost of Yotei horse choice is purely cosmetic; there’s no penalty or benefit to choose one or the other. It’s worth noting, however, that your choice is final and you can’t amend it; the horse sticks with you for the rest of the game.

Aside from choosing a horse, you’ll also need to assign it a name. The options are as follows:

• Shimaki (Tornado)
• Mochizuki (Full Moon)
• Homura (Flame)

Again, there’s no mechanical difference between them, and it comes down to which one you prefer. As with the Ghost of Yotei horse choice, the name persists for the rest of the game, and Atsu will actively call out the chosen name throughout your playthrough. Whichever name you opt for, you’ll unlock the Naming a Friend trophy.

In the end, I personally went with the white horse (Atsu and the animal had gone through so much together already, it felt mean separating them) and chose the name Mochizuki. A white horse, the full moon; it just made sense.

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