Jin Sakai’s journey is lonely. You spend dozens of hours trotting across pampas grass and through mud-soaked villages. Naturally, your horse becomes your only real friend. But here’s the thing: when you're looking at the Ghost of Tsushima Digital Deluxe horse, you’re basically deciding if a specific coat color and a fancy saddle are worth the extra cash. It’s a vanity play.
People obsess over the stats. They want to know if the Digital Deluxe horse runs faster or has more health. Honestly? It doesn't. Sucker Punch Productions kept the mechanics identical across all steeds. Whether you pick the thin white horse, the black one, or the dapple, they all gallop at the same speed. The "Deluxe" version is just a gold-tinted beauty. It’s a cosmetic flex.
The Reality of the Golden Mane
Choosing your horse is the first major emotional beat of the game. You're standing there in the stable with a nervous stablehand, and you have to pick. If you bought the Digital Deluxe Edition (or the Director’s Cut upgrade), you see a fourth option. It’s a brownish-gold horse with a shimmering coat. It looks "heroic."
I’ve played through the campaign three times now. The first time, I went with the Digital Deluxe horse because, well, I paid for it. It looks striking in the photo mode, especially when the sun hits the coat during a standoff. But by the second act, I realized something. The "standard" white horse actually fits the "Ghost" aesthetic a lot better when you're sneaking around Toyotama.
The Digital Deluxe horse is basically a skin. If you’re a completionist, you want it. If you’re a casual player just trying to see the credits roll, you might find the standard black horse more intimidating.
What You Actually Get in the Bundle
It isn't just a horse. The Digital Deluxe Edition includes the Hero of Tsushima set. This gives you:
- The golden horse.
- The Hero of Tsushima armor (which has a very "heavy samurai" look).
- A golden mask and sword kit.
- One Technique Point.
- The Charm of Hachiman’s Favor.
- A digital mini art book.
That Technique Point is actually the most "useful" part of the early game. It lets you unlock a roll or a parry five minutes earlier than everyone else. But the horse? The horse is the centerpiece. It’s the thing you see in 90% of the gameplay.
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Why the Choice Matters (Spoilers Ahead)
You have to be careful here. Without ruining the plot for the three people who haven't finished the game yet, let's just say your choice of horse isn't permanent. Things happen. Tsushima is a violent place.
If you pick the Ghost of Tsushima Digital Deluxe horse at the start, you are committing to that look for a huge chunk of the story. You also get a unique saddle—the Hero of Tsushima saddle. It’s ornate. It’s got gold trim. It makes you look like a Lord, not a desperate guerrilla warrior.
Some players find that the "Deluxe" horse breaks the immersion. Jin is supposed to be a man who has lost everything. Riding a shimmering, golden-maned stallion while wearing rags feels a bit... off. But once you get the Sakai Clan armor in Act 2? Then the gold horse looks incredible. It matches the prestige.
The Director's Cut Confusion
Since the release of the Director's Cut on PS5 and PC, things got a bit messy. If you buy the Director's Cut, you get the Digital Deluxe content. It’s all rolled into one. You don't have to hunt for a specific "Deluxe" version anymore.
If you're on PC, you just check your equipment menu once you reach the first stable. If you’re on PS5 and upgraded from the PS4 base version, you might need to "claim" the items from the PlayStation Store or ensure the DLC is downloaded. I’ve seen dozens of Reddit threads where people thought their horse was missing, only to realize they hadn't actually installed the "Digital Deluxe Upgrade" file.
Comparing the Steeds: A Visual Breakdown
You have the White, the Black, the Dapple, and the Digital Deluxe (Gold).
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The White horse is the classic "hero" choice. It’s what you see in the early trailers. It gets dirty fast, though. The mud in this game is no joke. The Black horse is for the players who want to lean into the "Ghost" persona. It disappears into the shadows. The Dapple is... well, it’s a bit generic. It looks like a horse you’d find at a local farm.
Then there’s the Golden horse. It stays relatively "clean" looking even when you’re sprinting through the marshes of Umugi Cove. It’s the most "fantasy" of the bunch.
Is the Horse Really "Better"?
I’ve seen some influencers claim the Deluxe horse has better "stamina" for sprinting. That is 100% false. There is no stamina bar for horses in Ghost of Tsushima. You can gallop from the southern tip of Azamo all the way to the northern cliffs of Kamiagata without the horse ever slowing down.
The only "stat" that matters is your own emotional attachment.
When you name your horse—Nobu (Trust), Sora (Sky), or Kage (Shadow)—that name stays with that horse. If you pick the Digital Deluxe horse and name him Kage, he is your Kage. The bond is the same regardless of the pixels used for the fur.
How to Get It If You Missed It
Suppose you bought the standard edition. You’re ten hours in. You see a screenshot of the golden horse and you want it. You can usually buy the "Digital Deluxe Upgrade" for about $10-$20 depending on your region.
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Is a horse skin worth $10? Probably not by itself. But the upgrade also includes the Director’s Commentary, which is genuinely fascinating if you're into Japanese history or game design. They sit down with a real Japanese historian to talk about how the Mongol invasion actually went down versus how the game portrays it.
The Best Way to Use the Deluxe Horse
If you're going to use the golden steed, go all in. Use the Hero of Tsushima armor. Use the golden sword kit. Use the "Gold" color palette in Photo Mode.
Ghost of Tsushima is one of the most beautiful games ever made. The way the wind moves the grass is legendary. Having a horse that reflects the light of the setting sun makes those long rides between shrines feel less like "travel time" and more like a cinematic experience.
Most people get it wrong by trying to mix and match. They use the golden horse with the dark, bloody Ghost armor. It clashes. If you’re going for the Digital Deluxe look, lean into the "Samurai Lord" vibe.
Practical Steps for New Players
If you are just starting your journey as Jin Sakai, here is how you handle the horse situation:
- Check your version: Ensure you have the Director's Cut or the Digital Deluxe Edition. If you’re playing on a disc, check the insert for a code.
- Reach the First Stable: You won't get your horse immediately. You have to play through the opening prologue. Once you meet the stablehand after the first major stealth mission, you'll be given the choice.
- Think about the name: The name you choose will be spoken by Jin throughout the game. "Kage" (Shadow) sounds cool for a black horse, but it feels a bit weird for a bright golden one. "Sora" (Sky) or "Nobu" (Trust) usually fits the golden aesthetic better.
- Don't worry about the stats: I'll say it again—it's purely cosmetic. Pick the one you like looking at.
- Upgrade your saddles: As you collect Sashimono Banners throughout the world, you can unlock new saddles. These saddles work on the Digital Deluxe horse just like any other. You aren't "stuck" with the Hero of Tsushima saddle forever.
The Ghost of Tsushima Digital Deluxe horse is a badge of honor for fans of the game. It doesn't give you a combat edge, but it certainly makes the screenshots look better. If you value the "prestige" look of a legendary samurai, it's a solid addition to your stable. If you prefer a gritty, grounded historical drama, you might find yourself sticking with the standard black or white options.
Next Steps for Your Journey
To make the most of your Digital Deluxe content, head to the "Equipment" tab as soon as you get your horse and equip the Charm of Hachiman’s Favor. This charm provides a minor boost to your health, which is incredibly helpful during the early duels in Act 1. Also, make sure to visit a Trapper early on to see how the Hero of Tsushima armor scales with upgrades compared to the Samurai Clan armor you get from Lady Masako's questline.
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