Ghostbusters: The Video Game

A proper conclusion to the legendary film series, Ghostbusters: The Video Game is everything a third Ghostbusters film should have been about. Featuring a reunion of the original cast, this game is a love letter to the movie that redefined sci-fi comedy in the eighties.

Tight controls and serviceable visuals come together to deliver an exceptionally great ghostbusting experience, as long as you can stomach some quirks. If you ain’t afraid of no ghost, keep reading our review to find out why Ghostbusters: The Video Game is such a terrific experience.

Ghostbusters Reunion

Although a third Ghostbusters film never happened (no, the 2016 doesn’t count,) there have been plans for a third movie for a while now. Ghostbusters: The Video Game uses some of the original ideas intended for the series conclusion and presents them in a satisfying way, especially for fans of the franchise.

Players take the role of a rookie (aptly named Rookie) who’s just joining the Ghostbusters. The original Ghostbusters cast is reunited here, including Harold Ramis, Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, and Ernie Hudson. The original Elmer Bernstein score is also here, providing excellent background music that can be incredibly creepy at times.

As the story progresses, players will have to explore not only some of New York’s most haunted places, but also segments of the spirit realm. Atmosphere is everything for a game such as this: the game’s Infernal Engine creates some impressive lighting effects, almost as effective as the shadows and projections seen in games like Dead Space.

Busting for a Living

As you might have guessed, the main objective of the game is to hunt ghosts. Using the movie’s iconic proton packs and ghost traps, players will have to chase down ghosts and other unruly apparations. There are also some additional cursed items that expand on the game’s backstory, similar to the hidden treasures in the Uncharted series.

Avoiding collateral damage is also encouraged, but not necessary. Shooting your proton beam at objects evaporates them, increasing the amount of money you owe to the city. This is just a small gag, though, and it has no actual bearing on your score.

Destruction effects look amazing: proton beams leave marks on floors and walls and easily vaporize fabric and wallpapers. The Infernal Engine is a veritable powerhouse when it comes to rendering ambients, even if some of the characters’ faces can look a bit rough.

This One is for the Fans

Although the game’s plot is very self-contained, there are many nods to the original movies that will fly over the heads of those who are unfamiliar with the 1984 original. In that sense, Ghostbusters: The Video Game is pretty much a “best hits” compilation of moments and tropes from the original movies, ranging from the popular moments to the more obscure ones.

If you’ve never watched a Ghostbusters film before, you might still get a lot of enjoyment from this game. The humor of the originals is here, written in part by the original scriptwriters of the films. The plot is eerie and captivating, perfect for a lighthearted Halloween playthrough.

Pros:

• Excellent voice acting provided by the movie’s original cast
• Cool gameplay mechanics
• Superb environment detail and use of the movie’s soundtrack

Cons:

• Some character animations are a bit rough