Review: Ghostbusters - more slime than substance

Mike Bantick
Monday, 13 July 2009 17:01

Entertainment

There is no HUD as such; all info is contained on the Proton Pack indicators.  You can tell what ammunition is selected, your health, whether you need to vent the system, and if it is time break out your PKE meter.

Putting your PKE goggles on is a spooky feeling, the wings of the PKE meter rise and fall with differing supernatural energies of hidden ghosts,  cursed items (collectibles) or other out of the ordinary locations.

Giving the screen a claustrophobic night vision green hue, where you need to locate your enemy without a weapon selected is a great way to add immersion.  It can be a little hit and miss however, sometimes a little frustrating.

The lack of a mini-map is likewise, sometimes frustrating, but a quick check of objectives, or simply going the most obvious way will soon have you linked up with one or more veteran Ghostbusters for the journeys continuation.

Through the magic of video-games, all of your co-stars look 25 years younger and smoother than they do in real-life today.  In-game they generally show enough nous to survive the rigours of spectre battling.  But from time to time they will need your help, taking a break from wraith blasting, you need to get near a downed buddy and revive them.

They will also do the same for you if they can, but if all Ghostbusters are down during any one battle, it is game over.  Thankfully the checkpointing, is generous, and you will be back in the fray quickly.

In fact the game itself is not really taxing.  Only a few moments during the game will you feel totally up against it.  This is not such a bad thing, as this is a movie game that feels very much like an interactive movie.

Because, the bottom line is, there is not an extensive list of gaming going on here.  It is however wrapped up in an interactive electronic entertainment experience that as a package is top notch.

Whist levels are not extensive, their design is great, and without a mini-map it is still clear where to head.  The game will gently, or not so gently (such as where a library’s possessed bookcases shift and move as you progress) prod you in the correct direction.  Occasionally you will pause and wonder what-next, but don’t expect to work the grey matter overtime here.

Multiplayer consists of a bunch of co-op and racing style modes that round out a polished experience that Ghostbuster fans, both old and new will have a great deal of fun with.


8 Stay Puft Men out of 10