“I Ain’t Afraid of No Ghost!”-Ghostbusters Review

A disclaimer if you will: I’m a huge Ghostbusters fan from way back, and have been following the progress of this game from literally day one. That being said, I came into this with a little voice in my head chiding that there was no possible way this title could live up to the expectations I had created over the long months of waiting. I just knew it deep in my bones that something would go wrong, that the game was going to be redundant, cheaply done, stale or somehow annoying.

Thank Gozer I was wrong.

Bustin’ makes me feel good!

Ghostbusters the Video Game is pretty much the third movie every fan has been waiting for, only you’re the star! Well, insofar as a voiceless rookie Ghostbuster hired for his expendability (and the fact that the firehouse’s mortgage is in Ray’s name) can be considered a star. But seriously, this game is official canon thanks to the incredible writing talents of Dan Ackroyd and Harold Ramis, the participation of virtually the entire original Ghostbusters cast and the commitment to quality on the part of Terminal Reality and the folks at Atari. From the intricately detailed proton packs to the wise-cracking antics of New York’s premier spook squad, this game is all about faithfully creating a Ghostbusters adventure that will have you rolling in the aisles, quaking in your anti-ectoplasmic boots and kicking non-corporeal ass in equal measure.

The game opens two years after the events of Ghostbusters II and as the city of New York prepares to open a new Gozer exhibit at the museum, paranormal activity skyrockets while the ghoulish forces of the afterlife threaten to tear a hole in the very fabric of space and time. Luckily for the Big Apple, the Ghostbusters (franchise offices coming soon!) have just hired a new Experimental Equipment Technician to try out their newest cutting-edge inventions, and it’s your job to make sure the new toys are up to snuff while avoiding any unfortunate mishaps that may or may not blow everyone into Jersey. The spike in ghostly goings-on has you and the fellas travelling all over Manhattan and even hopping dimensions to revisit old haunts like the Public Library and the Sedgewick Hotel while battling classic creep shows such as Slimer and the infamous Stay Puft Marshmallow Man. The story is a fantastic romp that ties into the events of the first two films and explores the darkness that lies at the core of all the monsters the Ghostbusters have to fight.

This is where you end up when you forget to return your library books…

Visually the game is incredible in not only conveying that classic Ghostbusters feel but also in creating an authentic supernatural atmosphere thanks to a colorful cast of ghosts and ghouls as well as a combination of inventive real-world locales and surrealistically twisted environments to bust through. Pretty much everything in the game is destructible, which makes capturing ghosts with your nuclear powered Proton Pack all the more enjoyable as you create copious amounts of chaos and mayhem; thank goodness for the citywide anti-spook insurance policy! While movie locations such as the Sedgewick and the Firehouse look like they’ve been ripped right out of the movie, the ethereal dimensions you find yourself travelling through are where the game really managed to surprise me. Scenery that looks to be straight out of a amadman’s nightmare toys with perspective and screws with your sanity due to a groovy style that gives off the same spooky vibe seen in Gozer’s fridge.

Pre-rendered cinematics are almost seamless while scenes utilizing the in-game engine suffer from some semi-major lip synching issues and the occasional frame rate hiccup. The pyrotechnics of blazing proton streams, massive explosions and inter-dimensional tears are suitably eye popping while the slippery gloop that comes out of your slime gun has some great physics and looks hilarious on civilians and Ghostbusters alike as you try and exorcise the ghosts possessing their bodies. I especially loved the attention given to little things like the furious steam that is propelled out of your overheating proton pack or the wispy fingers of fog that trail behind you as you hop dimensions.

Pew! Pew! Pew! Ka-Wooooosh!

The real stars of this show have to be the voice actors as Bill Murray, Dan Ackroyd, Harold Ramis and Ernie Hudson all reprise their landmark roles while fan favorite characters Arthur Peck and Janine also make fantastic appearances. Everyone involved brings their A-game to the table (Although Murray does seem to be less enthusiastic and authentic than others), delivering hilarious lines and quality dialogue that really immerses you in the world and makes you feel like a part of the team. Not once did I feel like I was playing a movie-based video game; instead I felt like I was in the middle of an actual Ghostbusters adventure!

Did I also mention it can be insanely creepy at times too?

Ghostbusters doesn’t rely on mere nostalgia or even the clever writing and imaginative plot to keep you playing. Capturing ghosts has never been more fun in an addictive combination of Luigi’s Mansion meets Gears of War with a little Metroid Prime thrown in for good measure. Once you get the hang of using your equipment, the process of weakening ghosts and reeling them into your trap feels just as fun and powerful as you always thought it would. In between nabbing the undead, you get to use the iconic PKE Meter and Para-Goggles to explore your environment in order to find ghosts, cursed items, and update the humorously snarky “Tobin’s Spirit Guide”. The game never gets boring as you can upgrade your Proton Pack in a multitude of useful ways upon earning cash for trapping all those spooks, while Ray and Egon always manage to come up with new and innovative ways to get the job done. As you make your way through the game’s story you’ll have a chance to handle weapons like the Stasis Stream powerful Boson dart, shotgun like Shock Blast, and the always enjoyable Slime Blower. Busting ghosts takes some strategy as you figure out which weapons work best with each spook and battles often turn into frenzied displays of proton laced delight.

Now that’s what I call Slime Time television…

In addition to a sensational single player campaign, Ghostbusters offer several inventive multiplayer options as well. Stand out modes include the Horde-esque Survival Mode, the enigmatic Thief mode and the fantastic Slime Dunk challenge with decent Protection, Destruction, and Containment gametypes to keep you entertained with your online pals. There’s also ton of great extras that encourage finding all of the hidden cursed items including a wealth of concept art, beta test images and trailers and promotional artwork. In between missions you also get a chance to chill at the Firehouse, and this location is the icing on the cake for any Ghostbusters fan. I won’t spoil all the goodies you can find, but let’s just say a minor explosion of geekish delight is absolutely acceptable every time you step foot in the place. Terminal Reality were also thoughtful enough to provide a handy cinematic archive so you can replay all of the amazing pre-rendered scenes whenever you like, a touch I always enjoy when games have cinematics as awesome as these.

Ghostbusters has its share of shortfalls (Murray should have got into it more while an open ended mission structure and a few more tracks on the soundtrack would have made things a bit more interesting), nor is it insanely innovative or conceptually earth shattering. Instead, the game manages to transport you into the crazy world of this beloved franchise, remaining true to its forbearers while managing to feel refreshingly new at the same time. Plus it’s an incredible gameplay experience that never really gets old, with incredible pacing and a fantastic cast of characters. This is a solid entry into the Ghostbusters franchise, and a must for everyone be they hardcore Buster and avid gamer alike. Before you go out to bust some ghouls, just remember; NEVER cross the streams.

Who you gonna call?

360Sync does not offer a score, but instead gives insight on the game. Only one person can make a decision if you should rent, buy or avoid a game, and the person is ultimately you. However, we can give you as much insight as possible, and answer as many questions that you have.