Ghostwire: Tokyo

Ghostwire: Tokyo looks stunning throughout, with impressive enemy designs and interesting locations, despite a few issues with its gameplay.

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In Ghostwire: Tokyo, supernatural forces have overrun the city, causing its population to vanish. As a player, you'll join forces with a spectral entity seeking vengeance and master an array of abilities to uncover the truth behind the disappearance. The game features a free Spider's Thread update, which brings new areas, cutscenes, side missions, combat skills, and a roguelite game mode. Explore a beautifully haunted Tokyo and save the city from otherworldly threats.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

83%

Audience ScoreBased on 7,155 reviews

story1,634 positive mentions

optimization110 negative mentions

Stunning graphics and a beautifully detailed recreation of Tokyo.
Engaging combat mechanics with unique elemental powers and satisfying animations.
Rich in Japanese folklore, providing an immersive cultural experience.

Repetitive gameplay and combat can become tedious over time.
The main story feels rushed and lacks depth, with underdeveloped characters.
Overwhelming number of collectibles and side quests can detract from the main experience.

story
4,719 mentions
35 % positive mentions
58 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The story of "Ghostwire: Tokyo" is a mixed bag, with many players finding it engaging yet ultimately predictable and short, often completing it in around 10-15 hours. While the main narrative revolves around Akito's quest to save his sister amidst a supernatural crisis in Tokyo, the side quests—often inspired by Japanese folklore—are frequently highlighted as more interesting and emotionally resonant than the main plot. Overall, the game is praised for its atmospheric setting and visuals, but criticized for its repetitive gameplay and lack of depth in character development and story progression.
- “The story is engaging and intriguing, with a compelling main plot and plenty of side quests and secrets to discover.”
- “The story is very interesting and it looks really nice.”
- “The story is a ride of ups & downs.”
- “The story is dull but offers some absolutely great visual setpieces, and while the characters tend to be simple and uninteresting, the relationship between K and Akito carries the narrative on its shoulders.”
- “The main story is quite generic, writing is awful, and sometimes borderline cringe.”
- “The story is lackluster, the combat is laughable and boring, the game as a whole is an identity crisis.”
gameplay
1,657 mentions
37 % positive mentions
51 % neutral mentions
12 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Ghostwire: Tokyo" has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating its unique mechanics and atmospheric world but criticizing its repetitive nature. While the combat, which involves elemental powers and a variety of abilities, can be engaging, it often becomes monotonous over time due to a lack of enemy variety and depth in gameplay mechanics. The game's open-world design, filled with collectibles and side quests, adds to the experience but can feel like a chore, leading some players to recommend it primarily for its story and visuals rather than its gameplay.
- “Here you have a 'Bioshocky' game with fast FPS mechanics that embraces fully an arcade gameplay, has the verticality of a Dishonored game without all the fluff of an 'immersive sim', reproduces a whole frickin' district of Tokyo, has a 'Kenji Kawai on drugs' OST, and is just, all in all, incredibly fun to play.”
- “Overall, the gameplay is very straightforward yet diverse enough to keep things engaging throughout the game’s length, making it enjoyable from start to finish.”
- “The gameplay is a classic action-adventure open world where we will follow a main storyline, but we'll also have tons of stuff to do, from secondary missions to collectibles of any kind.”
- “The gameplay is repetitive and the climbing mechanics in particular are wonky, but the game itself is a beautiful piece of storytelling, and in my opinion would absolutely deserve to be 2022's game of the year if Elden Ring hadn't already thoroughly (and deservedly) claimed that title.”
- “The gameplay loop feels like a chore that could make you gradually lose interest quite fast, because the progression system is rather limited, in my opinion.”
- “The gameplay is absolutely mundane.”
graphics
1,429 mentions
63 % positive mentions
35 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Ghostwire: Tokyo" have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visuals and detailed representation of Tokyo, particularly with the use of ray tracing and HDR effects. Many players noted the game's unique art style, vibrant colors, and atmospheric design, which effectively blend modern and supernatural elements. However, some users experienced performance issues, including frame rate drops and optimization challenges, which detracted from the overall visual experience.
- “The first thing that I noticed about this game is the presentation; it feels really premium both in terms of graphics and cinematics.”
- “Let's start with the positives: the graphics are insanely good looking, and the world is a joy to look at.”
- “The visuals in this game are so consistently interesting that it really feels like another world has bled over.”
- “The only reason I took three points off is because of the weird UI controls and how unoptimized the game is graphically.”
- “Coupled with uninspired level design and lackluster visuals, it's clear that little effort was put into optimizing the game for modern hardware, leaving players feeling like they're playing a game from a bygone era.”
- “The graphics are very sub-standard - and yet still optimized so poorly, even modern day rigs are going to struggle.”
atmosphere
509 mentions
62 % positive mentions
37 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in "Ghostwire: Tokyo" is widely praised for its stunning recreation of a deserted Tokyo, blending eerie visuals with elements of Japanese folklore to create a hauntingly immersive experience. Players appreciate the game's attention to detail, atmospheric sound design, and the unique blend of supernatural elements that enhance exploration, despite some criticism regarding repetitive gameplay and a lack of tension in horror elements. Overall, the game's atmosphere is considered its standout feature, captivating players with its beauty and depth.
- “The atmospheric world-building is stunning — from the neon-lit streets to the eerie supernatural elements, Ghostwire: Tokyo pulls you into a beautifully haunting version of the city.”
- “Being in Shibuya at night all on your own with only supernatural forces, cute pets, and grocery store ambient tunes around you creates a super unique and special atmosphere.”
- “The atmosphere, the combat, the soundtrack, everything is on point.”
- “The repetitiveness is also detrimental for the atmosphere of the game, which is initially creepy and disquieting, before wearing off due to the monotony.”
- “The atmosphere kind of lacks tension for a horror game.”
- “While the combat was decently weak, the story, music and atmosphere really carry this game.”
optimization
433 mentions
20 % positive mentions
54 % neutral mentions
25 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players experiencing significant performance issues such as stuttering, frame drops, and inconsistent frame rates, even on high-end systems. While some users report smooth gameplay with optimized settings, others find the game unplayable due to these technical problems, particularly after updates that introduced Denuvo. Overall, the game's optimization appears to be a major drawback, detracting from an otherwise engaging experience.
- “Eventually, I tried lowering some settings and ended up using the optimized settings by Digital Foundry with some tweaks.”
- “My PC isn’t very good :( I have a 1070, and on performance mode, this game runs well while still looking good.”
- “One of the best games I've ever played. I loved the game, the story, the fighting system, the evolution of the character, the atmosphere... in general, I liked everything, including the optimization of the game.”
- “The game has performance issues due to an update (Denuvo).”
- “The performance is atrocious - the green tick must be removed.”
- “The game is riddled with performance-related issues, like the game being nearly unplayable with RTX on without changing texture streaming to the lowest settings, rendering the good visuals null.”
music
302 mentions
46 % positive mentions
52 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its ability to enhance the atmosphere and gameplay experience, blending traditional Japanese instruments with modern electronic beats. Reviewers noted that the soundtrack is both emotive and immersive, effectively accompanying combat and exploration while also providing a haunting backdrop during quieter moments. Overall, the sound design and music are considered standout features, contributing significantly to the game's emotional impact and cultural authenticity.
- “The soundtrack seamlessly blends traditional Japanese instruments with modern, electronic beats to create a soundscape that feels both ancient and contemporary.”
- “The sound design and music are superb, creating an immersive and emotionally impactful experience.”
- “The music adds an additional dimension if you buy the extra songs from the floating fur balls.”
- “The game is dead quiet, there's barely any atmospheric music, and the only time there's any playing is during combat.”
- “Music seemed non-existent most of the time, but what I noticed was acceptable.”
- “The music is decent to forgettable, not really as good as it could have been.”
grinding
250 mentions
2 % positive mentions
10 % neutral mentions
88 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it tedious and repetitive, particularly when it comes to collecting spirits and completing side missions. While some appreciate the engaging combat and beautiful visuals, others feel that the excessive focus on collectibles and grinding detracts from the overall experience, leading to burnout and frustration. Overall, the game is seen as enjoyable for those who embrace grind-heavy gameplay, but it may not appeal to players seeking a more streamlined experience.
- “Tasks and side missions are able to be completed easily, and they aren't tedious either, which is good for checking off boxes and leveling up.”
- “Runs great, plays great, has an interesting story and side missions that are not tedious.”
- “Absolutely loved it, have been following it ever since the reveal trailers, plays well, not too grindy nor too easy.”
- “It's quite tedious and a little more difficult to keep track of collectibles with there being 20 cats you have to save, but they only show up on certain floors.”
- “Collecting spirits is the most unnecessarily tedious process filled with unnecessary animations and steps.”
- “The game is a brilliant experience, but the achievement hunt is bogged down with 500+ collectibles, not including spirits, that turn the platinum experience into an incredibly tedious and frustrating experience.”
emotional
163 mentions
96 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by a range of experiences, with many players finding the ending particularly impactful, often leading to tears and a sense of connection to the characters. While some reviews note that the story can feel shallow or underdeveloped at times, the emotional payoff in the final chapters resonates strongly, showcasing themes of loss, love, and redemption. Overall, the combination of engaging sound design, character dynamics, and a beautifully realized setting contributes to a memorable emotional journey, despite some pacing and narrative issues.
- “This game was an emotional roller coaster for me, but I loved every minute and hour of it.”
- “The story is engaging enough, and emotionally resonant at the end.”
- “I found the end to be a pretty touching story about coming to terms with personal loss and grief, so if stories like this are your jam - this game has you covered.”
- “It's a feeling that will keep repeating, especially if you don't intend to play with a controller. Small annoying things end up killing a game with a flat and boring story that is really just about grinding collectibles for... no real payoff.”
- “Great concept, poor execution, and a boring story.”
- “I was excited for Ghostwire Tokyo since its announcement, but sadly the game delivers both boring gameplay and a boring story.”
humor
73 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a standout feature, blending lighthearted banter and quirky side quests with darker themes, creating a unique atmosphere. Players appreciate the comedic interactions between characters, particularly the dynamic between Akito and KK, which adds depth and levity to the experience. Many side missions are noted for their amusing narratives, showcasing a range of humor from subtle jokes to outright absurdity, making the game both entertaining and engaging despite its serious undertones.
- “It's a nice mixture of creepy, sci-fi, and action with some cute and funny elements mixed in, so it's not all doom and gloom.”
- “I play this with the Japanese voices, and I find the lighthearted banter between Akito and KK hilarious; it always makes me smile.”
- “There's a lot of funny moments in this game, such as one spirit who couldn't pass on because he couldn't wipe after taking a dump and didn't have any toilet paper, and another one stuck because he was waiting so long to use the bathroom.”
stability
71 mentions
18 % positive mentions
3 % neutral mentions
79 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players experiencing significant bugs, stutters, and frame rate drops, particularly on lower-end systems. While some users report smooth performance and minimal issues, others highlight frequent crashes and graphical glitches that detract from the overall experience. Overall, the game appears to be plagued by optimization problems, leading to a frustrating experience for many players despite its potential.
- “Game also runs great on high settings >60fps on my PC which has AMD Ryzen 5 3600X with 32GB RAM and RTX 2060 Super.”
- “Fun game, a lot to do, runs great on Linux via Proton as well.”
- “I encountered no glitches, and everything looks and sounds great.”
- “Game is buggy, I'm running a 3080 and 7800x3d and randomly the FPS will drop to 3 and not be able to recover.”
- “Constant stutters, freezes, crashes, and terrible base framerate even with every graphical setting to the lowest.”
- “It's so damn buggy with glitches everywhere and so many frame drops when you've been in the game for a while that it's absurd how they didn't release an update to fix anything.”
character development
44 mentions
48 % positive mentions
45 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
Character development in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting that while the character designs and visuals are impressive, the actual development of characters feels rushed and underwhelming. Several reviewers expressed a desire for deeper emotional connections and more substantial character arcs, particularly in the middle sections of the game, where development seems to stall. Despite some moments of engaging narrative and interactions, the overall consensus is that the game could benefit from more meaningful character growth and complexity.
- “The character development between both KK and Akito is deep and involving.”
- “Te story-line is compelling and fun, character development is interesting and engaging, and it keeps me wanting to come back for more as it delves into Japanese folklore and the culture in general.”
- “Solid character development as you progress and the banter was fun.”
- “It often feels rushed and would have benefited from deeper character development and a more complex plot.”
- “While Ghostwire: Tokyo attempts to inject some narrative depth into the proceedings with dramatic cutscenes and character interactions, the story ultimately feels shallow and underdeveloped, with little in the way of meaningful character development or emotional resonance.”
- “This is compounded by the fact that they kind of seem to forget about any character development, growth, or likability for the middle sections of the game and then try to jam it back in for the last 3 hours of the game.”
replayability
37 mentions
16 % positive mentions
57 % neutral mentions
27 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is a mixed bag, with many players noting a lack of incentive to replay after completing the main story. While some appreciate the addition of a roguelite mode that offers varied experiences, others feel that the game lacks depth and meaningful choices, leading to low replay value. Players who enjoy exploration and completionism may find some replayability, but many agree that the game is primarily a one-time experience.
- “The spider's thread update adds a great rogue-like element for those who want a lot of replayability.”
- “Replayability after the story is there as the devs have added a roguelite mode and each run is different.”
- “Apparently it is quite short, but replayability in my opinion is high if you like to do harder difficulties, collect everything, and 100% it.”
- “Plus it has 0 replay value in my opinion.”
- “Overall great game for a 30 hour binge with its biggest weaknesses being no replayability and repetitive side content.”
- “Buyers beware: this is not a game where you can put like 50 hours into, it's not very replayable and once the initial 'wow' factor wears off, you're left with nothing.”
monetization
15 mentions
20 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
80 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its lack of microtransactions and downloadable content, providing a straightforward purchase experience. However, some users feel that the advertising within the game could be more prominent, as it adds to the immersive atmosphere, while others criticize the game for feeling like an open-world cash grab despite its detailed environment. Overall, players appreciate the absence of monetization pitfalls, but express a desire for better marketing and representation of the game's unique elements.
- “Oh well, at least it doesn't have microtransactions.”
- “There are no microtransactions, no DLC with cut content... are you kidding me?!”
- “+ No microtransactions or in-game purchases.”
- “It feels like an open world cash grab.”
- “All the mystery of the advertisements is thrown out the window pretty much immediately.”
- “The first trailer and what we got is like Nissan advertising an Altima then the vehicle comes out and it's a Ford F-150; like it's still a vehicle but when was it a truck and from Ford?”