Ghostwire: Tokyo Review

Tango Gameworks brings the vibrant city of Tokyo to life with a supernatural twist. The game blends the physical and spiritual worlds, offering players an interactive and immersive experience. While the game excels in exploration and world-building, it misses the mark in two key gameplay elements as the story progresses. Despite this, the interactive nature of the city makes it a unique and engaging adventure.

Story

You play as Akito, a young man who survives a mysterious fog that engulfs Tokyo, causing its inhabitants to disappear. The fog brings “Visitors,” ghostly humanoid entities. Akito finds himself sharing his body with a ghost hunter named K.K., and together they embark on a journey to achieve their goals: Akito searches for his hospitalized sister, Mari, while K.K. seeks to stop a masked antagonist responsible for the chaos.

While the main story doesn’t dive deep into its narrative potential and concludes abruptly, the side stories add richness. Akito and K.K. help spirits find peace, often encountering supernatural entities from Japanese folklore. These side quests provide intriguing tales and allow players to explore the quirks of these spirits while delivering a sense of satisfaction by granting closure to the wandering souls.

Gameplay

The combat system revolves around elemental abilities to either defeat the Visitors or cleanse their corrupted spirits. Early in the game, players use four key powers: fast wind projectiles, fire bursts, short-range water attacks, and a stunning charm. Resources are limited, encouraging stealth-based gameplay. Silent takedowns allow players to purify enemies without using ammunition. The bow and arrow provide an additional long-range stealth option.

Combat is visually stunning, with Akito’s hand movements making every attack feel dynamic. Defensive mechanics, like a spiritual shield, add variety to the fights, ensuring up to 20 hours of engaging gameplay, including side missions. The RPG-like progression system allows players to upgrade abilities and gain new skills, enhancing combat and exploration.

Audio

The audio design effectively immerses players in Ghostwire’s supernatural Tokyo. The voice acting for main characters is well-executed in both Japanese and English, though secondary characters’ performances vary in quality. The soundtrack complements the eerie atmosphere, with minimal but impactful music during key moments. Environmental sounds, such as footsteps, crows, and creature noises, enhance the haunting ambiance.

Graphics

The game shines visually, particularly on PlayStation 5. The detailed recreation of Tokyo blends modern neon elements with traditional Japanese shrines, creating a visually stunning environment. Lighting, reflections, and atmospheric effects make exploring Tokyo a visual treat. The character models during cutscenes are less impressive but don’t detract from the overall experience.

Strengths

• Beautiful city design with extensive exploration opportunities.
• Seamless blend of traditional Japanese elements with modern settings.
• Visually stunning combat with engaging hand movements.
• Rich and intriguing side quests.
• Outstanding graphics, especially on PS5.
• Great music and sound effects complementing the atmosphere.
• Excellent main character voice acting in both Japanese and English.

Weaknesses

• Weak main story with missed narrative opportunities.
• Slow pacing and lackluster progression.
• Enemy AI is underwhelming, making higher difficulty settings necessary for a challenge.
• Repetitive side missions.
• Boss fights are too easy and lack impact.

Final Score: 8.5