If you fell in love with Ghostwire: Tokyo and have just finished it, then you might be looking for something to take its place. Of course, a great game is hard to chase afterward, but we have to try. If you are looking for similar experiences to Ghostwire, then try these recommendations!
Ghostwire: Tokyo is a mixture of adventure and light horror aspects. The games on this list will vary between the non-horror and horror categories but still give off similar vibes that will lead to what we believe are good gaming experiences.
A lot of them also share similar themes regarding looking for a family member or uncovering a secret/mystery.
Siren Blood Curse/Forbidden Siren Series
- Genre: Horror
- Setting: A remote Japanese village
- Aspects of lore included: Yes
If you loved the Japanese lore and location of Ghostwire but were hoping for something a little more terrifying, you might want to check out Siren Blood Curse.
An Americanized reboot of the original Japanese series Forbidden Siren was released back in 2008 on the PS3. It may seem a little outdated in some respects, but if you are looking for an experience that shakes you up, then we can't recommend this enough.
You mysteriously end up in a Japanese village filled with zombies, called Shibito, that re-animate themselves after a short period of time, meaning you can never fully kill them. The story leans on the idea of Uroboros and the never-ending cycle and is definitely an eerie experience.
If you happen to be a Japanese speaker or wish to go back to the game's roots, you can look for the older counterparts Forbidden Siren and Forbidden Siren II. These were released in the early 2000s for the PS2, and can be emulated these days.
Yakuza Series
Genre: Action/Adventure
Setting: Kamurocho, Tokyo
Aspects of lore included: No
In terms of being scary games, the Yakuza series is pretty much the opposite of scary. However, if your favorite part of Ghostwire was the free-roaming aspect and being able to check out Tokyo for what is essentially some virtual tourism; then the Yakuza games will be a good use of your time.
Focusing on various characters in and around the Japanese Yakuza, the games have interweaving storylines and sympathetic characters that make you want to see where their narratives go. There is also often a focus on family and finding people that have been separated, just like in Ghostwire.
It is full of fighting and goofy side quests, so if you are game to take down some bad guys while buying a lady who needs a visa a pizza, then grab a copy!
They have all received re-masters over the past few years, so you can get updated graphics and better visuals that depict various Japanese cities in detailed and beautiful lights.
Related: Should you disable Time Limits in Ghostwire: Tokyo?
Silent Hill Series
Genre: Horror
Setting: A rural, American town
Aspects of lore included: No
You have most likely come across Silent Hill before, but perhaps you hadn't considered it until now. We never did get the Silent Hills reboot, but the others are still very much available to play, they just might take some digging to find.
Similar to how Ghostwire has foggy areas that envelope parts of the city, Silent Hill games are shrouded in fog, except you have to walk through it rather than cleansing a Torii Gate. This makes for a suspenseful experience, where enemies can be around at any moment without you knowing.
The original games were released on the PS1 and PS2, so they aren't marvelous in the graphics department anymore, but they still bring the scares and the uneasy feelings that keep you on your toes while playing horror games.
There are, of course, more recent entries in the series with more updated graphics. So, if you can get yourself a hold of one of the copies in the series and have a way to play it, this might be something new for you to delve into.
Related: How to raise your synergy level to max in Ghostwire: Tokyo
Shenmue
Genre: Action/Adventure
Setting: Dobuita et al, Japan
Aspects of lore included: Yes
This is another game on the list that isn't focused on horror aspects but does have the boxes ticked for being able to roam around Japanese towns and find out a bit about some lore.
Take the path of avenging your father after a mysterious man kills him at your home dojo. Vowing to get the mysterious man, you will unravel a story steeped in history and mythological findings that unveil a prophecy that you have unknowingly set in motion.
With it being a martial arts game, there are many chances to get into some fisty cuffs with enemies and beat them down using Jujitsu. It is once again an older game, but it did get a touch-up on Xbox and PlayStation back in 2018, so you don't have to go out and get a Dreamcast to be able to play it.
If you find you are taken by the game, there is a second and third installments that are both set in China. The sequel is from 2001, with the third game having been released in 2019 thanks to a Kickstarter.
The Evil Within 1 and 2
Genre: Action/Horror
Setting: Krimson City, USA
Aspects of lore included: No
Diving back in with the horror angle, if you just outright like how Tango Gameworks and Bethesda make games (the creators of Ghostwire), then you might want to check out The Evil Within.
These are not open-world games, but they definitely have the creepy aspects and will frighten you more than Ghostwire does. They can be likened to the Silent Hill series in a way and focus more on the stomach-turning elements while also following a mystery storyline as Ghostwire does.
You may not be able to use any Ethereal Weaving, but there is once again an interesting upgrade system so that you can power up and take on some really freaky characters.
Looking for more content? Check out How to grapple and glide in the air for at least 10 seconds in Ghostwire: Tokyo.
Published: Mar 28, 2022 11:38 am