I’m often told that I go to bat over ‘bad’ games. I maintain that Forspoken wasn’t awful, Dragon Age 2 is better than Inquisition, and that Redfall had some great ideas, but just failed to stick the landing. Ghostwire: Tokyo is another 7/10 game that I maintain is a must-play, and it’s probably my favorite of Tango Gameworks’ catalog. Set in a surrealist, neo-dystopian Tokyo, it’s absolutely gorgeous, and includes floating cats and adorable, talking Shiba Inu. What isn’t to love?
In Ghostwire: Tokyo you are cast as Akito Azuki, a young man who shares his mortal form with an ominous spirit named KK. You’re on the hunt for a mysterious man in an Oni mask called Hanya, who has kidnapped your sister and plans to use her in some form of arcane ritual. The plan is simple: rescue Mari from Hanya, tear his minions asunder, and return to the living world.
Ghostwire plays like an action-adventure game: Akito is armed with various spiritual powers that he can use to take down his foes – to quote combat director Shinichiro Hara, it’s “karate meets magic.” As your enemies’ health decreases, their cores are exposed, giving you a window to execute some gorgeous takedowns. Defeating Hanya’s hordes nets you Yokai, which you can then use to level up your various powers.
All of that sounds like the standard action-adventure fare, though. What makes Ghostwire: Tokyo so unique is its world design, which transforms the Japanese capital into a twisted, neon-bathed hellhole. Enemies take the form of looming male figures in blue-collar suits holding rotten, black umbrellas, or eerie, homunculus-style entities comprised of contorted human limbs. In terms of aesthetic and direction, it’s easily one of the most unique games ever made.
And it gets better. Defeating enemies in stronghold areas allows you to activate glowing torii gates, seamlessly fusing traditional Japan with Ghostwire’s bizarre, dystopian afterlife. Cleansing the gates pushes the noxious fog that envelopes the city further away, but also gives you access to the ever-adorable Nekomata stalls. These sassy little kimono-clad cats offer you various food and drinks, and while they’re not the most important vendors, they’re for sure the cutest.
If cats aren’t your thing, however, there are several Shiba Inu dotted across the city as well. They always see you as a walking food dispenser, but taking care of them can net you various collectibles. Plus, they’re adorable – just give them the damn chow.
If all of this sounds perfect for you, Ghostwire: Tokyo is currently free on the Epic Game Store. You’ll be able to pick it up for the next week, with the promotion ending on November 7 at 8am PST / 11am EST / 4pm GMT / 5pm CEST. You can get it here.
If you’re looking for some other free PC games, why not check out our list of all the best free Steam games; you’re sure to find something new. Alternatively, if you’re looking for some story-driven action, here’s a collection of all the best RPGs, compiled by our guides experts.
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