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Ghostwire: Tokyo 2022
Ghostwire: Tokyo is a 2022 horror action-adventure video game developed by Tango Gameworks and published by Bethesda Softworks. The title is directed by Kenji Kimura, who also co-wrote the narrative with Syoji Ishimine and Seiji Ebihara. Set in a fictionalized version of Tokyo, Japan, the storyline follows the city's invasion by supernatural forces triggered by an occultist. Players control Akito, a boy who died in a car accident and was subsequently possessed by a spirit. This possession grants him various abilities that let him battle ghosts, investigate disappearances of Tokyo’s residents, and rescue his family.
The game uses a first-person perspective, guiding players through linear, story-driven levels across Tokyo in a mission-based format. Players can access multiple elemental powers due to Akito's spiritual possession, which include offensive combat skills against ghost enemies and large boss battles, as well as melee attacks and a parry mechanic that can be improved via experience points earned during fights. These abilities are enhanced through a skill tree system.
In addition to the main story, Ghostwire: Tokyo includes several side-missions offering collectibles and items that expand Akito’s capabilities while deepening the world and character development. The project was revealed at Bethesda's E3 2019 event by executive producer Shinji Mikami and Ikumi Nakamura, who initially held the role of creative director before leaving Tango Gameworks in September. At that time, Kimura assumed the creative director position.
The game’s combat system, which diverges from the survival horror style seen in the studio’s previous The Evil Within series, was designed by Shinichirō Hara, influenced mainly by martial arts and the ritualistic gestures of kuji-kiri. Ghostwire: Tokyo launched on March 25, 2022 for Windows and PlayStation 5, remaining a timed console-exclusive for one year. An Xbox Series X/S version was later released on April 12, 2023, accompanied by the free content update "Spider's Thread." This update added new enemy types, unlockable skills, side-missions, story cinematics, and additional areas in Tokyo for exploration.
Upon release, the game received positive reviews for its design, presentation, and storytelling, although some criticism was directed toward technical flaws, shallow combat mechanics, and repetitive gameplay elements.
Trailer
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Crew
- Director
- Kenji Kimura
- Designer
- Suguru Murakoshi
- Programmer
- Yuji Nakayama
- Writer
- Syoji Ishimine, Seiji Ebihara, Kenji Kimura
- Producer
- Masato Kimura, Shinsaku Ohara
- Music
- Masatoshi Yanagi
Details
- Developer
- Tango Gameworks
- Publisher
- Bethesda Softworks
- Platforms
- PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox Series X/S
- Modes
- Single-player
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 4
