Ghostwire: Tokyo, a former PlayStation 5 console exclusive, is coming to Xbox Game Pass next month. When Microsoft announced its acquisition of Bethesda in 2020, there was much confusion over what would happen with timed PlayStation console exclusives Deathloop and Ghostwire: Tokyo. Thankfully, fans learned last year with the release of Deathloop on Xbox consoles that the exclusivity period's expiration would mean that they would launch straight into Xbox Game Pass almost exactly 12 months later, and now Bethesda has confirmed that Ghostwire: Tokyo is gearing up for release on Xbox in April.
Ghostwire: Tokyo was first announced at E3 2019 as the next new IP from Tango Gameworks, the Japanese studio that most recently surprise launched Hi-Fi Rush on Xbox Game Pass. The game was later announced to be a timed PS5 exclusive for one year alongside Arkane's Deathloop, and after a somewhat hectic development period that saw the departure of its original director, Ikumi Nakamura, shortly after its announcement, Ghostwire: Tokyo released on PS5 and PC on March 25th, 2022. The game released to somewhat mixed reception, which many critics praising its setting and atmosphere but criticizing its short length and simplistic combat.
Approaching the game's one-year anniversary, Bethesda announced today that Ghostwire: Tokyo will debut on Xbox Series X/S and Xbox Game Pass on April 12th alongside the release of the "Thread Update." This update expands the game's content and will include new areas to explore, a new rogue-like inspired game mode, and more complex combat mechanics, tackling one of the game's biggest criticisms. The game will even feature new and expanded main story cutscenes, further fleshing out the narrative. The new update will launch on all platforms including PlayStation 5 on April 12th.
With the success of Hi-Fi Rush following its surprise release in January 2023, it's no surprise that Bethesda is eager to release Tango Gameworks' other recent new IP, Ghostwire: Tokyo, on Xbox Game Pass as well, as the service helped make the studio's last title an overnight sensation. With the more mixed response to Ghostwire: Tokyo, it's unlikely to have the same effect, unless the Thread Update is truly something special. That said, if the game finds some surprise success on Xbox Game Pass, it could encourage Tango Gameworks to develop a sequel which could improve where the original game failed.
Tango Gameworks has had a big year so far, with the release of Hi-Fi Rush, the Xbox release and Thread Update for Ghostwire: Tokyo, and the sudden announcement of studio founder Shinji Mikami's departure last month. Being Xbox's sole Japanese game development studio, it seems that both Bethesda and Microsoft are preparing Tango GameWorks for big things following Mikami's departure.
Ghostwire: Tokyo is available now for PC and PlayStation 5. The game will release on Xbox Series X/S and Xbox Game Pass on April 12th 2023.