A devastated Tokyo, survival mechanics, four-player co-op, urban traversal and vehicles are at the heart of Ghosts in the City. Developed by Acid Pixel Studios using Unreal Engine 5, this open-world game aims to stand out above all through its setting: an alternate version of 1982 Tokyo that feels both striking and unusual for the survival genre. The game is currently announced for PC via Steam.
Ghosts in the City's devastated Tokyo gives the game a unique identity
It's probably the first thing that immediately catches the eye. Ghosts in the City moves away from more conventional post-apocalyptic environments and sets its survival experience in the heart of a devastated Tokyo following a catastrophic meteorite impact. Players take on the role of one of the survivors known as the Ghosts and attempt to uncover what really happened.
The city itself is set to play a central role in the experience. Abandoned streets, rooftops, underground areas, subway systems, parks, ports and airports will make up a seamless open world. Iconic locations such as Tokyo Tower will also be featured.
Recent footage shared by Acid Pixel Studios shows this alternate version of 1982 Tokyo running in real time. The art direction already gives the project a distinctive identity, presenting the city in a way rarely explored in survival games.
Survival, urban traversal and co-op will drive Ghosts in the City
This massive city won't simply serve as a backdrop. Traversal mechanics will allow players to climb, jump and move across buildings, whether to reach otherwise inaccessible areas or escape incoming threats.
Ghosts in the City can be played solo or in co-op with up to four players. Each of the four Ghosts will have a unique ability that influences exploration, combat and survival. Their complementary abilities are designed to encourage players to work together throughout the campaign.
Players will also need to collect weapons, equipment and resources to craft and upgrade tools and traps. Hunger, thirst and resource gathering are among the systems currently being developed by the studio. Encounters may involve hostile military forces, wild animals and strange creatures.
Hundreds of vehicles are planned for Ghosts in the City
Acid Pixel Studios also has major ambitions when it comes to vehicles. Civilian and military vehicles can be discovered throughout Tokyo, repaired and then used to explore the city, transport survivors or take part directly in combat. The Steam page even mentions hundreds of drivable vehicles planned for the final game.
The environment is also expected to evolve throughout the adventure, with dynamic weather and a full day-night cycle. Destructible environments are planned as well, with the goal of making combat encounters less predictable.
Alongside the survival mechanics, story-driven missions, real-time cinematics and dynamic dialogue will help players uncover the mystery surrounding the catastrophe that struck Tokyo.
Ghosts in the City is an ambitious project to watch on Steam
With a small team working on a particularly ambitious open world, some of the announced features remain development goals for now. Still, Ghosts in the City already has one major selling point that's difficult to overlook: its alternate vision of 1982 Tokyo.
Between its striking art direction, vertical exploration, four-player co-op and strong emphasis on vehicles, the game offers a fairly unusual combination for the genre. Ghosts in the City is currently announced for PC, and its Steam page is already available for players who want to add it to their wishlist. A release date has yet to be announced.