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IGN Review of Ghostbusters
For a series of games that could have gone either way, Ghostbusters: The Video Game has been firing on all cylinders. So before I even get into what works and what doesn't with the pocket iteration of one of the greatest 80's movies out there I'll gladly begin a slow clap for Red Fly Studio, developer of the DS Ghostbusters game. The final product has some issues, and not everything works exactly how it should (or could), but it's obvious that the team knows the series, and was out to push this game as far as possible. There's a lot to Ghostbusters: The Video Game on DS, and its evidence of serious love and commitment to the game. Thanks to all parties involved for not squatting on the curb and dropping a steaming pile of DS product onto the freshly-cleaned New York City streets. That's going around these days when it comes to licensed products...
Ghostbusters DS is a huge compilation of literally dozens of gameplay designs and concepts, and surprisingly enough it actually works pretty well. There are some rough areas, and after putting in time with the game I'm left wanting a new version of the game immediately (or an original IP by Red Fly based on the engine) but the sheer amount of content and depth here is just staggering. In a matter of minutes you'll explore the city in a full 3D open world driving mode, taking the Ecto-1 with a newly-developed proton cannon and ghost trap built in, wander around the Ghostbuster's HQ, and get into a very Smash TV-inspired overhead mode when actually doing in-building busting.
The game's engine is quick and reliable, and while it's impressive to see a full-on driving mode the controls are a little odd. Since you can use the stylus to fire your proton stream that means you've only got one hand for turning, accelerating, and braking, so that's all mapped to the d-pad. Holding up to gain speed while turning doesn't feel too hot, and some simple block collision and relentless auto-driving AI make for some strange hang-ups on the streets. The Ecto-1 actually takes damage after bumps and ghost battles, and that drops the speed of the car. Since it's all about getting to challenges and searching for bonus ghosts and the like in a limited amount of time though, a couple odd collision issues or overly-aggressive cars will damage the Ecto-1 in a big way, making it drive at a seriously sluggish pace. Not too fun.
The real gameplay kicks in during on-foot missions though, and it isn't bad. Rather than playing the part of a nameless recruit like the console versions, Ghostbusters on DS is all about following the original cast. Action takes place on the bottom screen, where touch-based busting plays a vital role in zapping specters and spooks. The d-pad moves your selected character, while the other three busters follow you around or hold their ground based on small icons linked with their portraits. A quick tap of a buster's face and you'll switch to them. Tap a small dot next to their portrait, however, and you can change them from "follow" or "hold" on the fly. In addition to basic movement, each player also has his own weapon and equipment to manage, as well as special power-ups and buffer, which is where the RPG feel comes in. Ghostbusters is as much about zapping in a Smash TV setting as it is leveling up characters in a Diablo/Balder's Gate design, so while mid-mission it's all about battle and trapping, post-mission sends players back to the HQ to level up skills, as well as cash in money and slime for a little R&D towards new weapons and gadgets.
The general combat works, though it's far from great. Once again the engine holds up nicely, having all four Ghostbusters running around in an overhead view blasting ghosts as they pop up, and the visuals are all crisp and fit the series style. The game lacks any kind of dynamic camera though, so you're stuck with one view height and angle, and with as much content as there is on one main screen (all portraits, ghosts, four Ghostbusters, a health item button, and the actual playfield itself) it's just overloaded. You're often blasting in the direction of last-seen ghosts, rather than really seeing a big enough area of play to battle them face-to-face, and as an even more enraging issue ghosts will spawn out of the blue and knock the team down, which takes seemingly forever to get back up and recover from. Ranged ghouls can also pepper the team from off-screen, and running around a room only to come face to face with a ghost is a bit annoying.
Top view was the right move for the game, but it would have been nice to have a dynamic camera that would pull out when things got crazy. Considering how much was crammed into this game though – we're talking multiple weapons, gadgets, a full-on PKE meter for tracking ghost via the top screen, the hold/follow command system, player-specific weapons and gadgets, and a full-on RPG system for each player – this is an impressive first effort. There's a lot of content in here; it's just a shame there isn't enough polish to go around.
One of the areas I'm truly impressed with though is the aforementioned RPG system. It again isn't perfect, but it certainly adds some much-needed depth to the experience, and actually takes in-game progression farther than any of the console versions. The blueprint system is used to add to the Ghostbusters' arsenal, and not only do you need cash and slime to get new tech, but also a certain number of in-game days. Skill points are also awarded to each member of the team post-battle as well, and each of the abilities are made specifically with that character in mind. Venkman has a few comedy-based abilities (ghosts always attack him) and is also a great negotiator (exchanging experience for cash ), whereas Winston makes use of the "Best Supporting Role" ability to actually shrug off all damage as long as AI is in control of him. Ray has a special connection to ghosts, so lesser specters won't attack him until provoked, but he's also more susceptible to being possessed. And finally, tech-head Egon is all about stat buffers and faster research grants. Each Ghostbuster has one ability that needs to be engaged with the B button (annoying in-battle, as you try to select each member and activate it while getting your butt kicked in real-time) but all the rest are automatic, and add some nice variation and depth to the experience.
©2009-06-22, IGN Entertainment, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Ghostbusters DS is a huge compilation of literally dozens of gameplay designs and concepts, and surprisingly enough it actually works pretty well. There are some rough areas, and after putting in time with the game I'm left wanting a new version of the game immediately (or an original IP by Red Fly based on the engine) but the sheer amount of content and depth here is just staggering. In a matter of minutes you'll explore the city in a full 3D open world driving mode, taking the Ecto-1 with a newly-developed proton cannon and ghost trap built in, wander around the Ghostbuster's HQ, and get into a very Smash TV-inspired overhead mode when actually doing in-building busting.
The game's engine is quick and reliable, and while it's impressive to see a full-on driving mode the controls are a little odd. Since you can use the stylus to fire your proton stream that means you've only got one hand for turning, accelerating, and braking, so that's all mapped to the d-pad. Holding up to gain speed while turning doesn't feel too hot, and some simple block collision and relentless auto-driving AI make for some strange hang-ups on the streets. The Ecto-1 actually takes damage after bumps and ghost battles, and that drops the speed of the car. Since it's all about getting to challenges and searching for bonus ghosts and the like in a limited amount of time though, a couple odd collision issues or overly-aggressive cars will damage the Ecto-1 in a big way, making it drive at a seriously sluggish pace. Not too fun.
The real gameplay kicks in during on-foot missions though, and it isn't bad. Rather than playing the part of a nameless recruit like the console versions, Ghostbusters on DS is all about following the original cast. Action takes place on the bottom screen, where touch-based busting plays a vital role in zapping specters and spooks. The d-pad moves your selected character, while the other three busters follow you around or hold their ground based on small icons linked with their portraits. A quick tap of a buster's face and you'll switch to them. Tap a small dot next to their portrait, however, and you can change them from "follow" or "hold" on the fly. In addition to basic movement, each player also has his own weapon and equipment to manage, as well as special power-ups and buffer, which is where the RPG feel comes in. Ghostbusters is as much about zapping in a Smash TV setting as it is leveling up characters in a Diablo/Balder's Gate design, so while mid-mission it's all about battle and trapping, post-mission sends players back to the HQ to level up skills, as well as cash in money and slime for a little R&D towards new weapons and gadgets.
The general combat works, though it's far from great. Once again the engine holds up nicely, having all four Ghostbusters running around in an overhead view blasting ghosts as they pop up, and the visuals are all crisp and fit the series style. The game lacks any kind of dynamic camera though, so you're stuck with one view height and angle, and with as much content as there is on one main screen (all portraits, ghosts, four Ghostbusters, a health item button, and the actual playfield itself) it's just overloaded. You're often blasting in the direction of last-seen ghosts, rather than really seeing a big enough area of play to battle them face-to-face, and as an even more enraging issue ghosts will spawn out of the blue and knock the team down, which takes seemingly forever to get back up and recover from. Ranged ghouls can also pepper the team from off-screen, and running around a room only to come face to face with a ghost is a bit annoying.
Top view was the right move for the game, but it would have been nice to have a dynamic camera that would pull out when things got crazy. Considering how much was crammed into this game though – we're talking multiple weapons, gadgets, a full-on PKE meter for tracking ghost via the top screen, the hold/follow command system, player-specific weapons and gadgets, and a full-on RPG system for each player – this is an impressive first effort. There's a lot of content in here; it's just a shame there isn't enough polish to go around.
One of the areas I'm truly impressed with though is the aforementioned RPG system. It again isn't perfect, but it certainly adds some much-needed depth to the experience, and actually takes in-game progression farther than any of the console versions. The blueprint system is used to add to the Ghostbusters' arsenal, and not only do you need cash and slime to get new tech, but also a certain number of in-game days. Skill points are also awarded to each member of the team post-battle as well, and each of the abilities are made specifically with that character in mind. Venkman has a few comedy-based abilities (ghosts always attack him) and is also a great negotiator (exchanging experience for cash ), whereas Winston makes use of the "Best Supporting Role" ability to actually shrug off all damage as long as AI is in control of him. Ray has a special connection to ghosts, so lesser specters won't attack him until provoked, but he's also more susceptible to being possessed. And finally, tech-head Egon is all about stat buffers and faster research grants. Each Ghostbuster has one ability that needs to be engaged with the B button (annoying in-battle, as you try to select each member and activate it while getting your butt kicked in real-time) but all the rest are automatic, and add some nice variation and depth to the experience.
©2009-06-22, IGN Entertainment, Inc. All Rights Reserved