The world of Ghost of Yotei captures the beauty of Ezo through stunning lighting and shadows that shift between sunrise and moonlight. But sometimes, the in-game clock doesn’t match your plans — maybe you want to sneak into an enemy camp under cover of night or admire the landscape in daylight. Luckily, the game lets you control time directly once you unlock camping.
Ghost of Yotei features a dynamic day-night cycle that naturally progresses as you explore. This cycle affects how enemies behave, visibility, and even the atmosphere of Ezo’s diverse regions.
However, unlike some open-world titles, you can’t select a specific hour — instead, you can skip time between morning and night using a simple in-game mechanic once you’ve unlocked campsites.
How to Change Time of Day (Step-by-Step)
Changing the time of day is tied to your camp. Here’s exactly how to do it:
- Set Up Camp
- Approach your horse and hold Left on the D-Pad.
- Wait for the camp bar to fill at the bottom of the screen.
- Note: You can’t camp near buildings, during combat, or while enemies are nearby. Find a quiet, open area first.
- Sleep to Skip Time
- Once the camp is built, look toward your horse.
- Select the Sleep option.
- Choose either “Sleep Until Morning” or “Sleep Until Night.”
- The world will transition instantly, letting you continue exploration in your chosen time frame.
- Alternative: Fast Travel
- Using fast travel between distant locations can sometimes trigger a change in time of day.
- This method isn’t guaranteed, but it’s useful if you’re mid-mission and can’t set up camp.
When You Can’t Change the Time
There are specific locations and story moments where sleeping is restricted — particularly in Mount Yotei and other mission zones. The game will automatically revert to daytime in these cases, even if you arrive at night.
Benefits of Changing the Time
Switching between day and night isn’t just about aesthetics — it affects gameplay in meaningful ways:
- Stealth Advantage:
Nighttime reduces enemy visibility, making infiltration and silent kills much easier. Pair this with Nine-Tails armor or stealth-enhancing charms to maximize your efficiency. - Exploration Clarity:
Daylight offers better visibility for navigation, resource gathering, and appreciating Ezo’s scenic beauty. It’s perfect for completing exploration-based side quests. - Quest Timing:
Certain bounties and side missions can only be triggered or completed during specific times — often at night. Mastering the sleep mechanic ensures you won’t miss them.
Extra Tip: Use Photo Mode to Fine-Tune Lighting
While you can’t set an exact hour during gameplay, Photo Mode gives you near-total control over time and lighting. In this mode, you can:
- Adjust the time of day precisely.
- Change weather, sunlight angle, and cloud density for cinematic screenshots.
This doesn’t affect gameplay but is perfect for capturing the beauty of Yotei’s world.
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The ability to change time in Ghost of Yotei may seem like a small feature, but it dramatically changes how you approach exploration and combat. Whether you prefer striking from the shadows or exploring under the rising sun, the game gives you the freedom to set the mood on your own terms.
So the next time you’re standing at the foot of Mount Yotei, remember — all it takes is a campfire, a horse, and a few quiet moments to reshape the world around you. Play Now!
