There are only a handful of films that have successfully made the transition from big screen to video game without sacrificing their original appeal. When it comes to a unique feel, the task of emulating Ghostbusters quirky blend of comedy and horror into a game was a hard task by anyone’s standards. Unlike many other standard ports, however, Ghostbusters: The Video Game had a few advantages up its sleeve that many other film tie-ins don’t have…
Rather than be held back by being a direct conversion of the Ghostbusters film, what we have here is more of a sequel to the two movies. The action takes place in 1991, and follows on directly from the events of Ghostbusters 2. With a script written especially for the game by the original films writers, Harold Ramis and Dan Aykroyd, and reuniting the original cast members voices this is pretty much as close to a Ghostbusters 3 as we will ever get.
If you’ve ever wanted to know what it would feel like to be a real-life ghostbuster, this is the game for you. Granted, when it all comes down to it, it’s a third-person shooter with the action taking place from a viewpoint behind your characters right shoulder. Think Gears of War, but with ectoplasm. The thing is, it doesn’t feel like Gears or any of its clones. It actually feels like a Ghostbusters game. From running along corridors chasing wayward Slimers, to witnessing the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man causing havoc in Times Square, right up to lassoing and capturing phantoms in your ghost trap, this game captures the look and feel of the original films down to a tee.
Graphically, the likeness of the characters is spot on, with Egon, Ray et al all being instantly recognisable. As mentioned, each of the original cast members are present to lend their voices, although Rick Moranis and Sigourney Weaver are sadly missing.
If I could file any complaints about an otherwise perfect game, they could be levelled that the whole experience is but a brief one. It won’t take you long to complete, and gameplay-wise Ghostbusters: The Video Game doesn’t offer much in the lines of variety. But when it’s this fun to play, are you really going to complain? The Ghostbusters franchise was always destined for another sequel after the first two films, and whilst this isn’t as satisfying as an actual movie would have been, this is the next best thing and as near as we’ll ever get to a true big screen return for the cast of the original. Go forth and get yourself a copy today, you won’t be disappointed. Above all else… bustin’ makes you feel good!
