Ghostbusters: The Video Game
Description
Ghostbusters: The Video Game is an action computer and video game released on 16 June 2009. Developed by Terminal Reality, and published by Atari (in North America) and Sony Computer Entertainment in Europe, the game is based on the Ghostbuster film franchise originally written by Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis.
It is a third-person-shooter where players are equipped with the proton pack instead of a traditional gun. In this game, players join the Ghostbusting team as a rookie. The game switches between a third person point of view to a first person via the PKE meter and goggles. This mode allows gamers to see paranormal entities, which helps direct players to ghost or haunted artifacts. These items are then scanned for information, and players are rewarded with money. The game features single player campaign, where gamers can upgrade the proton pack to include additional firing modes. Gamers can also add a Stasis Stream, a Meson Collider, and a positively-charged Slime Blower. In-game money earned can be used to spend on upgrades to proton pack modes and ghost traps. Another feature of the game is the tallying of monetary destruction caused by the player. The more damage caused the lower the chances of being awarded the PlayStation 3 Trophies.
Review
Ghostbusters: The Video Game will appeal to fans of the franchise and can safely provide them with gameplay without bad game mechanics. Even if you’re not familiar with the franchise and don’t know what the marshmellow man looks like, you will still be able to fine some good laughs on this game. Ghostbusters: The Video Game is a funny (in a good way) third-person action-adventure that delivers good game mechanics and is chock full of personality. Light hearted fun should be what you’re seeking with this game, or you will not find enough in this game to keep you going. With scripts penned by the franchise’s original writers, Harold Ramis and Dan Aykroyd, the game rides on the films success very comfortably. Gamers play a rookie joining the ghostbusting team, which are by the way, voiced by the films original actors, Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray, Harold Ramis, and Ernie Hudson.
The game takes place during Thanksgiving 1991, which is approximately two years after the events in Ghostbusters II. The team gets themselves involved in an investigation into the link between the emergence of ghosts and the Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man with Dr. Ilyssa Selwyn, a museum curator in charge of the Gozer exhibit. This throws them into a journey through museums, libraries and alternate dimensions as they try to get to the bottom of reasons why there is an increase of paranormal activitues in and around New York City. The game features the endearing old entities like the Marshmallow Man, to new creatures, including some terrifying looking entities. The main activity in the game is to weaken and trap the ghosts. Gamers can also purchase pack upgrades with in-game money earned (identifying paranormal entities with the PKE).
The length of gameplay depends on the length of time it takes for you to find hidden artifacts, and can lasts as long as 7 hours or so. The game also features a four-player online mode, allowing gamers to buddy up with 4 other players and go hunting for ghosts. While the mechanics on the multiplayer mode is almost the same as in single-player, gamers will get to choose a weapon specialty and are allow to grab alternate weapon modes (in the form of power-ups) through out the game.
The game also features six gameplay modes, such as Survival which sends waves of progressively stronger ghosts for you to fight; Containment which requires gamers to capture and destroy as many enemies possible thing a set time limit; Protection, where gamers defend disruptors from attacks; and Destruction, where gamers are required to demolish as many relics as possible while under attack (and before time runs out). Last but not least the game also features Thief mode, in which ghosts try to steal artifacts that you need to protect and Slime Dunk, where gamers compete and slam-dunk the most slimers. These modes, or jobs as they are called, can be played on their own, or in a short campaign.
The game is not without its faults, with bad lip sync on-screen and a less than amazing technical perspective. But these drawbacks are still offset by a the fact that the game still provides good fun, a great display of colours and detailed ghosts designs. The audio support on the game is breathtaking to say the least, able to invoke the creepiness of a desolated hallway or the roars of bosses. You can have the confidence money was spent on a game that is worthy of its film predecessors that will provide you with some good fun.
