There’s something interesting about Ghostwire: Tokyo that keeps me engaged in the post-apocalyptic world of downtown Tokyo, and I can say that it’s definitely not the combat system. While running around saving the world from the supernatural forces, petting as many dogs as possible, chatting with cats, and missing a large percentage of my attacks, I have to say I like this game. Slight game mechanic and storyline spoilers ahead.
The game kicks off with the protagonist, Atiko meeting his demise after disaster strikes from a mysterious man in a mask bringing about the end of life for humanity in Tokyo using a forbidden ritual. You’re given a second chance by a powerful spirit, KK, who shares his ghost-busting powers with you to take on this unknown enemy. You go through some quick tutorials to get a feel for the really well intended but difficult to manage combat system.
Aiming is pretty bad, but there is a snap to enemy feature that helps a little. You have 3 main ranged and 1 wide mid-ranged attack, all which have the ability to be charged. Wind attack is a weaker quick attack with a charged ability to shoot consecutive wind attacks at an enemy with what may be a homing ability, who knows. Water attack is a mid range attack that can be charged to hit more opponents at once with an outward crescent shaped water projectile. Fire attack is the most powerful, as it can be charged and fires at a slight arc to do a wide area of effect blast. There’s a spirit bow that can be charged and is great for when your picking off ghosts in the sky, or suddenly have been separated from KK. You don’t die when KK leaves, but we’ll just call it a plot hole and keep on keeping on.
You get access to talismans as well. You can create a decoy, stun the enemy, and some other fun stuff. I really haven’t used the talismans, but you can use them when KK isn’t available during the storyline.
The game world is fairly wide open, but there’s places you can’t explore until you purify a shrine and the fog of death is dissipated in certain areas. You can explore the subways, malls, hospitals, apartments, and saunas. There’s also spooky haunted tree objects that you have to destroy the heart of to purify, freeing souls for you to rescue. Once a shrine is purified, there’s a nice present inside, such as bracelets that enhance your abilities or defenses. There’s side quests that lost souls give you to complete for the in game currency, experience, and more saved souls.
Spirits are stored in Katashiro, paper objects that you can purchase more of over time. The more spirits you turn in at once, the bigger exp and mekia payout, steering ever closer to saving the 240,300 lost souls. The cap of Katashiro you can carry is 50.
You level up as you collect experience, slightly increasing your SP. If your SP depletes, you’re reverted back to your last save or quick save. You can gain great amounts of experience and mekia by uploading spirits into a special phone booth where you get messages from a mysterious voice. Those are mostly found on the streets in the cities and neighborhoods. There’s a subterranean level as well. Don’t get lost, use the map.
All in all, I enjoyed my time with Ghostwire Tokyo. There’s a lot of sub quests to do such as chase ghosts and purify corrupted trees. I didn’t feel as if the game was scary but it haunts my list of games I completed in 2022. I didn’t take any images of the ghosts! I think they’re too spooky so if you want to see them you’ll have to play the game!
The Hylian Vegan 
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