Ghostwire: Tokyo

Ghostwire: Tokyo begins the moment nearly every person vanishes from the streets of Shibuya, leaving behind nothing but piles of clothing. The player takes control of a young man named Akito, whose body shares space with the spirit of an unyielding detective called KK, and together they venture into a fog-shrouded city full of visitors from another world — headless schoolgirls, men with umbrellas, or giant scissor-wielding women. Tango Gameworks left pure horror behind here and created a first-person action-adventure that leans more on occult atmosphere and Japanese folklore than on jump scares.

Instead of guns, you use Ethereal Weaving — hand gestures that unleash currents of wind, fire, and water. Combat looks like a wizard's shooter: you weaken an enemy, expose their core, and tear it out with a single motion. This is complemented by sacred bows, paper talismans for stunning or turning invisible, and the purification of torii gates, which uncovers more of the map. Shibuya is faithfully recreated and full of small tasks — collecting souls into paper katawaguruma, feeding dogs that lead you to treasure, and shopping at convenience stores run by cat-like nekomata. On PlayStation 5 the game shines with neon lighting, reflections on wet asphalt, and smooth transitions between display modes; spatial audio, meanwhile, masterfully handles whispering behind your back.

The music blends traditional Japanese instruments with electronica, creating together with the depopulated city a feeling of a solitary pilgrimage. Reception was cooler than the setting deserved — praise went to the atmosphere, the environment, and the imaginative bestiary, while criticism targeted repetitive side content. The free Spider's Thread update later added new enemies, areas, and a standalone roguelike mode. Today Ghostwire: Tokyo is recommended mainly for those who want to explore an empty Shibuya and let themselves be guided by folklore. It also helps that the game doesn't take itself entirely seriously — amid the tense scenes there's room for humor and for quiet moments on rooftops above the empty city.