A mix of Ghost of Tsushima and Scarlet Nexus, Bethesda’s upcoming game Ghostwire: Tokyo will delve into the world of futuristic cities, Japanese culture and supernatural enemies that fans everywhere have come to enjoy.
The game explores an enhanced, more modern Tokyo. Taking from the city’s stark contrast of high-rises and traditional temples – including real landmarks like Shibuya Crossing – Ghostwire throws the paranormal into the mix. Stunning visuals across all platforms make for gameplay that is, according to the PlayStation website, “beautifully haunted.”
But unlike real-life Tokyo, this city is desolate.
With the arrival of the deadly ‘Visitors’ – malicious supernatural beings sent to wreak havoc in the futuristic city – most of Tokyo’s population vanished in an instant, leaving Akito, the protagonist, to fend off the paranormal forces. Drawn from folklore, superstition and legend, anything could be lurking in the shadows.
Instead of the katana skills and psychic abilities used in Tsushima and Nexus, wage war using Akito’s elemental powers and ghost hunting skills. While the protagonist is only human, Detective KK is a spirit that shares his goal. Lending Akito powerful water, fire and wind attacks, KK proves to be a valuable, unlikely ally. If the two are separated, Akito has stuns, takedowns and archery to fall back on.
In addition to the emptiness and specters running amok, Ghostwire’s world is made spookier by the lethal fog (the ‘Corruption’) that shrouds the city streets. To cleanse the mist, vanquish the ‘Visitors’ defending its Torii gate.
Combat is upgradable, so these abilities can become even more powerful. As the game progresses, complete side quests and uncover secrets that help Akito sharpen his skills and see the city in a new light.
“Unravel the dark truth behind the disappearance as you FACE THE UNKNOWN,” the official website says. It’s not just about reigning victorious – there’s still a larger mystery afoot.
While the full game is scheduled to release on PlayStation and PC on March 25, fans have an appetizer waiting for them.
On March 2, the developer released Ghostwire: Tokyo – Prelude, a free visual novel for PS4 and PS5. Set six months prior to the events of the full game, Prelude delves into Detective KK’s story as a supernatural detective. It’s the perfect chance to learn more about the world and one of the main characters before the game comes out.
Prelude will also be available on Steam and the Epic store March 8.
Anna is a senior at NYU studying Journalism. Her work has been featured in GreenWorldAlliance and the Borgen Project, and she hopes to pursue games journalism into the future.In her free time, she loves playing Left 4 Dead with her 60-year-old father, tearing it up in Just Dance, and unnecessarily reorganizing her decks in Back 4 Blood.
