In the last week we have had the pleasure of previewing Ghostwire Tokyo for PS5, and after having fleshed it out we are ready to analyze it in our review
In a deserted Tokyo, a threat from beyond the grave takes shape in the latest effort by Tango Gameworks, the studio behind the success of The Evil Within. Despite the change of course from the previous IP, the “horror” touch of the studio is also here marked and palpable despite the fact that we are faced with a action-adventure puro. Between spirits, Oni and waves of Japanese folklore, let’s find out together Ghostwire Tokyo for PS5 in our review.
One step away from death
You are strolling through downtown Shibuya when a car accident leaves you dying. A spirit entity (calling itself KK) enters your body saving your skin, demanding full control in return but granting you supernatural powers. This is the opening words of Ghostwire Tokyothe latest action-adventure from Tango Gameworks published by Bethesda and analyzed in this ours review. In a (apparently) deserted Tokyo the detective Akito he will be forced to juggle life and death, facing threats that are anything but human in order to be reunited with his sister. Fortunately, this time around, he’s not alone.
I’m Just Going To Town – Ghostwire Tokyo Review
As vaguely anticipated, the game starts in the Shibuya district. Hands on DualSense (which we’ll talk about later), after completing the mobility and combat tutorial, It’s clear how much gameplay and exploration go hand in hand in Ghostwire Tokyo. The district is fully explorable far and wide, finding yourself facing groups of enemies both on the street and on the rooftops, as well as in the dark alleys. The vertical extension is also excellent, with the roofs reachable both “on foot” and thanks to the ethereal grapple that KK grants us on request.
After a few hours of play, the structure of the map and the way the exploration was organized is very reminiscent of Eidos Montreal’s Deus Ex series. We are therefore talking about a map impregnated by the local folklore, not too large or articulated but with excellent explorability (both horizontal and vertical). In addition, the game environment is teeming with side activities and points of interest. The latter, in particular, contribute to the rewarding system by giving resources, upgrades or simply exp points necessary to obtain new skills. And then, frankly, who wouldn’t buy magic arrows from a talking cat suspended in midair?
Hunting for Ghosts – Ghostwire Tokyo Review
In an atmosphere perfectly built by the Tango guys, it will be necessary to juggle more or less combative and threatening spirits. The presences that we will find ourselves facing seem to come directly from an anime: between headless schoolchildren, Slenderman, Oni and much more, the catalog of enemies is anything but meager. To face the numerous threats we will have, as already mentioned, the magical powers of KK that take inspiration from the natural elements. Starting only with wind bullets, it will be possible to unlock the other powers with different characteristics as you progress through the story. The power of fire, for example, causes a large explosion, while the water allows you to launch swipes that pass the enemies. Once stunned, it is possible to extract the “vital nuclei” from their bodies by acquiring experience points and resources (bullets or consumables), or finish them off with a final killing blow.
It must be said that the combat system it is not too articulate or complex, on the contrary. We are faced with a simple fps masked with super-powers and magic, but which does not actually bring too many new features to the catalog. Despite this, thanks also to the feedback granted by DualSensethe fights are always satisfying and never boring. The PlayStation 5 pad has been perfectly integrated into the action in all its components: from the audio to the haptic feedback, passing through the adaptive triggers, all the components of the game respond perfectly with the controller giving an enormous immersion in the action.
Technical factor – Ghostwire Tokyo review for PS5
On the technical sector of Ghostwire Tokyo there would be a lot to say in this review, but we will try to be synthetic. As anticipated, the city is beautiful to see and play. The Shibuya district, as well as the surrounding areas, is very faithful to reality. The fact that the game takes place entirely at night, in a neon-lit Tokyo, makes everything even more magical. The icing on the cake, an excellent use of ray tracing and volumetric effects. Technically, the guys at Tango Gameworks didn’t set limits, but got some small side effects.
While the game is beautiful to look at, on the other hand we find some small delays in rendering, frame drops and unexpected pops. In some situations, the reflections were also a little too “washed”, giving the total aesthetics excessive rubberiness. Some surfaces, between rendering delays and albedo problems, return a view that is not too consistent with the rest of the setting. Hoping for a fixwe can not help but accept it and go on to exorcise spirits.
Small Misunderstandings – Ghostwire Tokyo Review
Although we have a very respectable title on our hands, Ghostwire Tokyo is not without its problems (Unfortunately). In addition to the small graphic side-effects just described, even the gameplay sometimes presents a few too many problems. Hooking on to the “angels” to use the grapple is often more difficult than expected, for example, as is gliding from roof to roof.
Also, for some absurd reason, the game doesn’t allow you to rotate the camera properly while shooting. To rotate the view you have to stop running and then look around. Inexplicable as it is cumbersome. The problems encountered therefore reside mainly in the more platform phases of the game, however, leaving the combat system affected, which is always stable, precise and extremely fun.
Let’s sum it up
Net of what has been analyzed in this review, Ghostwire Tokyo is a really good title despite some small technical problems. The game is beautiful to see and playShibuya is a feast for the eyes and the exploration factor never fails to reward players. The combat system works welldespite not being revolutionary, and always entertaining without compromise. Too bad for the technical problems that (to date) affect the game, we trust in a patch of fixes as soon as possible. Once these small defects have been solved Ghostwire Tokyo is confirmed, as it had been shown, an excellent title, probably one of the best so far released for PS5. The game will be available starting next March 25 for PS5 and PC.
As always, we greet you and invite you to stay tuned to TechGameWorld.com for more news from the gaming world and beyond. To buy video games at a discounted price, instead, take a look at the Instant Gaming catalog.
A beauty with some compromises
Points in favor
- Excellent level design
- Lots of Japanese tradition and folklore
- Always fun fighting
- Beautiful to see …
Points against
- … with a few minor exceptions
- A few bugs too many
- Movement system to retouch