When you first mount your horse in Ghost of Yotei, the game automatically shifts into a cinematic presentation. Two black bars slide in at the top and bottom of the screen, while the camera zooms outward to frame Atsu against the sweeping Ezo landscape. It’s a stylish touch, but for many players it feels more restrictive than immersive. The good news is that you can disable this effect instantly without digging into menus.
Why the Black Bars Appear
The letterbox effect isn’t a bug—it’s a deliberate design choice. By pulling the camera back and narrowing the frame, the game emphasizes horseback riding as a cinematic moment, highlighting the vast scenery. While some players appreciate the film-like feel, others prefer a clean fullscreen view that shows more of the environment and keeps the experience consistent with on-foot gameplay.
How to Remove the Black Bars
Removing the horse camera’s black bars is refreshingly simple:
- Mount your horse.
As soon as you ride, the screen will shift into cinematic mode with black bars. - Press R3 (the right analog stick).
One click instantly removes the bars and restores fullscreen riding. - Cycle through camera options.
Each press of R3 toggles between different zoom levels:- Letterbox + Zoom Out – Black bars with the widest view.
- Zoom Out (No Bars) – A wide perspective without the letterbox effect.
- Zoom In (Fullscreen) – Closer to Atsu, resembling the normal on-foot camera.
The game remembers your last selection, so the next time you hop on your horse, it will default to your preferred setting.
When Black Bars Can’t Be Removed
There are moments in Atsu’s story where the black bars return automatically—even when you’re not riding. These are scripted cinematic sequences meant to highlight dramatic beats. In such cases, the bars will vanish on their own once the cutscene or story moment ends.
Additional Camera and Display Settings
If you want to fine-tune your visuals beyond the horse camera:
- Display Menu – Adjust brightness, contrast, HUD layout, or switch to cinematic filters like Kurosawa, Miike, or Watanabe modes.
- Gameplay Menu – Tweak auto-lock and camera framing (note: not under Display, which can be confusing).
- Accessibility Menu – Change text size, adjust colors, enable enhanced wind visibility, or turn on projectile indicators.
These menus won’t directly remove the horseback letterbox effect, but they do give you full control over how the game looks and feels.
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The horse camera’s black bars in Ghost of Yotei are designed to elevate the cinematic flair of riding through Ezo’s landscapes. But if you prefer fullscreen immersion, all it takes is a quick R3 press to cycle through cleaner, more practical views. Whether you stick with the cinematic letterbox or choose a fullscreen ride, the game ensures you can enjoy horseback travel your way. Play Now!
