I guarantee that in twenty years Ghostwire: Tokyo is going to be remembered very fondly. This bonkers first-person ghostbustin’ semi-open world adventure has cult classic written all over it, feeling like the modern equivalent of obscure yet beloved sixth-generation titles like Kuon, GunValkyrie, and Otogi: Myth of Demons.
You play Akito, a Tokyo resident who seems to be the sole survivor of a supernatural catastrophe that’s zapped away the populace, rumpled piles of empty clothes scattered across the city. In their place are legions of g-g-ghosts. Most of the time they just aimlessly shamble around the city, but once they get your scent they will not stop until they’ve swallowed your soul.
So it’s fortunate that Akito has been possessed by hard-nosed dead guy detective KK, who grants him the power of the Ghostwire. Now Akito can fire elemental energy from his hands, expose the ghosts’ cores, and use his wire to tear them out.
The stage is set for an adventure through the empty streets of haunted Tokyo as you try to figure out why your comatose sister is the key to the bad guys’ plans. Also you can now read the minds of cats and dogs, so that’s nice.
Ghostwire is a classic case of a game being more than the sum of its parts. For example, you’ll spend much of the game in combat and it isn’t great . Blasting ghosts with magic never gets dull, but all too often you’ll find yourself whittling down enemies while slowly backing away. Plus, if you diligently track down upgrades, by the midway point you’ll be so overpowered nothing will make you break a sweat (also, healing items are everywhere and you have deep pockets).
Also, while its Tokyo is mostly beautifully rendered it’s ‘yer classic city-as-backdrop. The whole conceit is that it’s completely deserted, so while exploring did give me some fun nostalgia for my own trip to Tokyo, so much of the city’s real-life atmosphere comes from its bustle that a lot of its ‘Tokyo-ness’ is lost when it’s empty.
But Ghostwire throws so much at the wall I spent much of the game with a smile on my face. Hovering ghost cats now run the combinis and market stalls, every payphone in the city conceals a ‘Ray Stantz’-lookin soul-collection device, dogs will happily lead you to the neighborhood demon, and flapping tengu let you zip up onto the rooftops.
And once you’re up high? Well, Ghostwire: Tokyo lifts Knuckles the Echidna’s glide mechanic of tapping jump while you’re in the air and delivers one of the most satisfying flight experiences of any first-person game. This is going to be subjective as all hell, but this game comes closest to anything I’ve previously played at replicating what it’s like to fly in my dreams.
There’s a chance that Ghostwire: Tokyo will go down as the rough draft first entry before the more polished sequel, Assassin’s Creed style. Could we see Ghostwire: Kyoto next? But even if this remains the only entry in the Ghostwire franchise I’ll be happy. It’s far from a perfectly polished experience, but it’s got it where it counts.
If you like weird games with heart, ignore the mediocre reviews and give this a whirl.
Pixel Hunted 