I’ve never been a fan of anything horror. However, I was intrigued when I learned IllFonic (who provided Pro Game Guides with a key in exchange for review) would be releasingGhostbusters: Spirits Unleashed, an asymmetrical multiplayer game minus the gore of similar titles like Dead by Daylight. Couple those components with my love for the 80’s blockbuster, and it was a potential match made in the ethereal plane.
Gameplay Loop
Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed hinges on its Job system. Each Job is a match between four Ghostbusters attempting to catch a Ghost before they can fully haunt one of five locations. A Ghost has three Rifts, which are respawn points scattered around the level. Ghostbusters can either catch the Ghost multiple times, forcing him to use his respawn points quickly, or find and directly attack the Rifts to leave the Ghost with nowhere left to go. You can then catch him for good.
The Jobs felt very well balanced, regardless of which side I was on (though, I admit, my haunting skills could probably use some work). Both sides have access to plenty of tools and abilities. Matches really come down to how well Ghostbusters can coordinate and work together, almostrequiringa full team of humans and microphone use.
AI
IllFonic tries to make the multiplayer gameplay more accessible by allowing you to play matches with just a friend or two, or even by yourself, if you want. However, AI players will fill in the other necessary roles. The AI’s playstyle can be laughably robotic and sometimes downright frustrating. My AI teammates “helped” by throwing down a Ghost trap but left it unopened. Worse yet was when they would turn around and comfort the civilian behind us in the middle of a catch. AI Ghosts behaved a bit more normally, but I thought the best Ghosts were other humans behaving erratically.
Accessibility
Verdict – Get to bustin' (with your friends)
While it’s best enjoyed with certain prerequisites (namely, co-op companions), Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed does an admirable job of adapting a title that’s notoriously difficult to adapt. It provides a welcoming entry into asymmetrical multiplayer gameplay, and without giving to much away, the underlying story and nature of the game’s design allows IllFonic to potentially provide even more funnily freakish content in the future, something I fully intend to look out for.
We received this code from IllFonic, INNC for reviewing purposes.
Did you decide to tryGhostbusters: Spirits Unleashed? If you’re looking for help, check out5 quick tips for Ghostbusters in Ghostbusters: Spirits UnleashedandHow to level up faster in Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashedhere at Pro Game Guides.
