Summary
- The Evil Within and Ghostwire: Tokyo IPs are staying with Microsoft after Krafton bought Tango Gameworks, leaving the potential for sequels with Xbox.
- Xbox fans were relieved as Krafton's acquisition saved Tango Gameworks, the Hi-Fi Rush IP, and most of the studio's staff.
- The future of Tango Gameworks under Krafton remains uncertain, though upcoming projects could include a Hi-Fi Rush sequel and new horror games.
It's been revealed that the Evil Within and Ghostwire: Tokyo IPs will remain with Microsoft following Krafton's acquisition of former first-party Xbox studio Tango Gameworks. Krafton is a South Korean game publisher best known for publishing the battle royale genre's breakout hit PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds, as well as Dead Space creator Glen Schofield's latest horror swing, The Callisto Protocol. While PUBG was a great success in the earlier days of the battle royale craze, The Callisto Protocol struggled to garner much acclaim when it released in 2022.
Earlier this year, Xbox made the devastating announcement that it had closed four of its Bethesda studios. Of the four closed studios, Tango Gameworks' closure was the biggest source of confusion for Xbox fans, as just last year Xbox's one and only Japanese studio released its rhythm action game Hi-Fi Rush to critical acclaim. Many Xbox fans argue that Hi-Fi Rush turned out to be Xbox's best game of 2023, so Krafton's unexpected buyout saving Tango Gameworks, the Hi-Fi Rush IP, and most of the studio's remaining staff was largely met with praise from the Xbox community.
Krafton Acquires Tango Gameworks, Hi-Fi Rush IP
PUBG series publisher Krafton acquires Hi-Fi Rush developer Tango Gameworks, following news that the studio was to be shuttered.
Now, new details have emerged about the nature of Krafton's acquisition of former Xbox and Bethesda studio Tango Gameworks. MP1st has gained confirmation from Krafton that it only gained control over Tango's Hi-Fi Rush IP, and that the studio's survival horror series The Evil Within and its first-person action horror title Ghostwire: Tokyo both remain with Microsoft following the acquisition.
The Evil Within and Ghostwire: Tokyo IPs Remain With Xbox
Krafton's timely buyout of Tango Gameworks is certainly great news for fans of its latest title, Hi-Fi Rush, as it'll be able to move forward with a potential sequel under Krafton. However, fans of Tango's horror outings The Evil Within and Ghostwire: Tokyo are left a bit more uncertain. If Xbox were to move ahead with either IP, it would have to be with a different internal studio. Thankfully, many of Xbox's first-party studios specialize in first-person games, so a potential Ghostwire: Tokyo sequel would likely be in great hands. That said, it seems like The Evil Within 3 could potentially be more difficult to get off the ground with a different studio at the helm, as none of Xbox's studios are known for survival horror.
It will be interesting to see what Tango Gameworks will work on next under Krafton's leadership. A Hi-Fi Rush sequel may certainly be in the cards, but the studio's horror roots shouldn't be ignored either. Despite the studio founder and survival horror mastermind Shinji Mikami departing the studio last year, there's surely more than enough horror talent left at the studio to make a new horror game; it just won't be an Evil Within title. Whatever the case, it'll likely be several years before Tango fans will be able to know more about the studio's next outing.
The Evil Within
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 73 /100 Critics Rec: 52%
- Released
- October 14, 2014
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- Tango Gameworks
- Publisher(s)
- Bethesda
- Engine
- id Tech 5
- Franchise
- The Evil Within
WHERE TO PLAY
Developed by Shinji Mikami -- creator of the seminal Resident Evil series -- and the talented team at Tango Gameworks, The Evil Within embodies the meaning of pure survival horror. Highly-crafted environments, horrifying anxiety, and an intricate story are combined to create an immersive world that will bring you to the height of tension. With limited resources at your disposal, you’ll fight for survival and experience profound fear in this perfect blend of horror and action.
While investigating the scene of a gruesome mass murder, Detective Sebastian Castellanos and his partners encounter a mysterious and powerful force. After seeing the slaughter of fellow officers, Sebastian is ambushed and knocked unconscious. When he awakens, he finds himself in a deranged world where hideous creatures wander among the dead.
Facing unimaginable terror, and fighting for survival, Sebastian embarks on a frightening journey to unravel what’s behind this evil force.
- Platform(s)
- Xbox One, Xbox 360, PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4
- Genre(s)
- Third-Person Shooter, Survival Horror
- How Long To Beat
- 18 Hours
- File Size Xbox Series
- 34 GB (December 2023)
