Ghost of Yōtei Hides an OP Listen Ability — But Wolf Standoffs Make It Almost Unnecessary
Ghost of Yōtei does include a focused-hearing ability called Listen, but it isn’t given to players right away; instead, it appears later in the main story. Meanwhile, the game’s combat and standoff mechanics — especially when your wolf companion joins — provide strong alternatives to pure stealth play.
Listen ability overview
The game has a focused-hearing skill named Listen that highlights enemies, making stealth sections easier to handle. However, Listen is not unlocked automatically at the very start of most playthroughs. Consequently, some stealth encounters in earlier areas may seem like they were designed for a listening ability that the player hasn’t received yet.
Where to get Listen
Specifically, Listen becomes available during a later main quest in the snowy Teshio Ridge while pursuing the Kitsune and his group of Nine Tails shinobi. Therefore, depending on which of the Yōtei Six you tackle first, you can easily play quite a bit of the game before receiving the ability.
Standoffs and the wolf companion
Aside from stealth tools, Ghost of Yōtei offers a standoff mechanic that appears as an on-screen prompt when engaging enemy groups. Additionally, players can use the shamisen to summon a wolf companion during encounters. The wolf can join standoffs, deal kills, and stagger opponents to create openings for the protagonist, Atsu.
Moreover, the wolf has its own skill tree. As players invest in that tree, the wolf becomes more likely to show up and act effectively in fights. Thus, many players find that direct combat and standoffs — especially with a summoned wolf — are viable and often prominent gameplay options alongside stealth.
Player reactions on Reddit
Some players have posted about the late arrival of Listen on the game’s subreddit. For example, one thread and another thread discuss how the ability is not introduced early, and how that affects stealth encounters.
