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Ghostbusters The Video Game


Ghost in the machine

“So you want to sacrifice reputation for money?” Ghostbusters puts this question to you after each successful mission, and it’s the sort of thing a more cynical reviewer would make a clever introductory joke out of. Not us, though – we’re not clever, for one thing, and we’re only cynical when a game is cynical first. From the snappy dialogue to the over-use of Ray Parker Jr’s classic song, it’s clear this is built on a bedrock of goodwill towards fans – but, y’know, that doesn’t mean the game is any good.

Rather than taking control of a rookie Ghostbuster as in the Wii version, you play as the original four. The reasonably tactile busting will make you feel good, but missions are too brief, giving you only a couple of ghosts to trap and some slime to collect before hauling your ass back to the station.

There’s depth to the research and character development, but you won’t need half of the abilities or equipment you can conjure up. You have to physically drive to each mission, but Ecto-1 handles like a dead Transformer, making this the worst part of the game. The world itself is shockingly murky, which makes costly crashes inevitable. “Do you want to sacrifice reputation for money?” This game hasn’t gone that far, but it has strained that hard-earned reputation to its very limits.

Jul 2, 2009

You'll love
  • Contains both ghosts and busting
  • Has good intentions
  • Snappy dialogue
You'll hate
  • Ghost busting isn't as fun as it should
  • Missions are too brief
  • A chore to play through

 
8 Comments
Order Comments: Newest First | Oldest First
hiyohi55  - 4 months 20 days ago 
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hiyohi55  - 4 months 20 days ago 
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Weasel  - 4 months 20 days ago 
Well thanks hiyohi, pointless AND informative.
Cyberninja  - 4 months 20 days ago 
^^^ that was the most random thing i ever read
Ezekiel17  - 4 months 20 days ago 
@hiyohi
That is perhaps the most random and disturbing fact I have read on GR. Also, you suck for saying first, and for not mentioning ANYTHING in the article whatsoever.

Anyways... I wasn't even aware that they made a DS version of Ghostbusters the Game untill I noticed this in the reviews. I guess thats a good thing considering this is a 3 paragraph review. Most of your short reviews are about games that suck. :P
AntistaIsTheLight  - 4 months 19 days ago 
Well, that was...Strange.Back to the review: I rented this game and think that Nintendo needs to make more good DS games. Please! reCaptcha:kalahari sai (wtf?)
sixboxes  - 4 months 17 days ago 
I thought for sure that the "Ecto-1 handles like a dead Transformer" line would link to the Transformers review. That would've been good cross-promo right there.

Instead of cheaply cashing in on the hype surrounding a movie, they tried to cheaply cash in on the hype surrounding a game, which is resurrecting a license that's been unused in over a decade, based on a 20 year-old movie. Not only is that cynical, but it's the kind of logical black hole that could collapse the gaming industry in on itself.
zayleffein  - 4 months 17 days ago 
The things people will do to try to get attention..
Anyway, I got this game and played it and yes, hearing the ghostbusters theme over and over and over got annoying, I absolutely *hated* driving that damn car. Overall I have to say I wouldn't recommend this game to anyone, either.
Disappointing.
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The Knowledge
Ghostbusters The Video Game
Ghostbusters The Video Game

Genre: Action
Release date: Jun 16, 2009
Published by: Atari
Developed by: Zen Studios
Multiplayer Modes:
Offline
1 player SOLO
6 DECENT
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Ghost in the machine
DS Review  -  Jul 2, 2009