Ghostbusters Xbox 360

Released on 06/11/2009

• Ghostbusters Preview

  Who ya gonna call?

  Ghostbusters isn’t just a film … it isn’t just a cartoon series … it’s a cultural phenomenon with one of the most memorable lines in movie history. Which makes it all the more incredible that fans have been kept waiting for a follow-up to Ghostbusters II for twenty long years.

  The good news is that as Ghostbusters gears up to celebrate its 25th birthday, Atari have picked up the rights for the Ghostbusters video game. Set two years after the events of the second film Ghostbusters is, in some ways, the sequel fans have been waiting for.

  Everything feels Ghostbusters authentic

  Not only has the original scripting team come back to write the story, but the original actors have dusted off their Proton Packs and resurrected their Ghostbusters roles in order to bring the video game to life. Lets face it wouldn’t be the same without Bill Murray delivering the punch line.

  So twenty years after Venkman and Co last got slimed, what’s changed for the Ghostbusters? Well, not much actually. Now recognised as a legitimate business, the Ghostbusters are expanding their business and are looking for recruits. That’s where you come in. Players take the role of a rookie, fresh on the team and eager to bust some ghosts.

  Welcome to spook central

  As the recruit you are using experimental Proton Pack upgrades developed by Egon and Ray. One of the upgrades is the Shot Blast, which is the Proton Pack equivalent of a shotgun blast used to wear down ghosts and destroy the scenery (we’ll get on to the destruction in a moment). Another new trick is slamming the ghosts to really weaken them, which sounded a little odd at first but as it turned out was incredibly fun.

  Lets face it wouldn’t be the same without Bill Murray delivering the punch line.

  As you would expect when you’re carrying around a device that could potentially level an entire city, you’re going to damage a few bits and pieces along the way; it happened in the films. This has not been overlooked by the developer, as the environments do have elements of destruction. Walls can be burnt, tiles will shatter and glass will explode in a rather cool rippled effect.

  Not only can the environments be damaged, but so too can the contents of the environment. Chairs, tables, books, lighting …they’re all at the mercy of your Proton Pack. In fact, destroying your environment is part of your strategy. Seeing as the ghosts can pick things up and throw them at you, it makes sense to destroy any potential missiles before they get chucked in your direction.

  The ghosts don’t just throw objects at you. Ghostbusters features a physics engine called Golem Tech. This engine allows the ghosts to build bodies out of the debris, so they have a physical body to attack you with. As the body moves around you can see the individual pieces that have formed the paranormal body.

  Ghostbusters the video game also reunites you with other Ghostbusters characters; some welcome some not-so-welcome. The welcome additions are Janine the secretary, Slimer and of course the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man. The not-so-welcome include Walter Peck the environmental agency man who caused more problems then he resolved in the films.

  Chairs, tables, books, lighting …they’re all at the mercy of your Proton Pack.

  Although you are playing the role of a Ghostbuster, your character doesn’t actually speak, which is a relief. You are able to focus on the game while the other characters interact (and entertain) just as they would in the films. So essentially you are a fly (complete with Proton Pack) on the wall.

  The readings I'm getting on this are off the charts

  Some feared that Ghostbusters would fall into the bad game adaptation based on good film trap. But as the Ghostbusters video game isn’t actually based on the film (it’s more of a third chapter) it seems to have escaped that tag.

  Scripted by the original writers, voiced by the original cast and developed by fans of the films, Ghostbusters the video game is a worthy third instalment. With so many staunch fans of the Ghostbusters movies, it could all have gone horribly wrong for Atari. Instead, they can hold their Proton Packs high and proudly say: We came. We saw. We kicked its ass.

  Preview by: Tom "Proton-Packing" Daly
  Preview Published: 19.03.09

  Published: 19/03/2009

• Ghostbusters Review

  If there’s something strange, in your neighbourhood, who ya gonna call?

  Well, if you’re under 30, probably the police, but for those older than three decades it’d have to be the GHOSTBUSTERS. Twenty-five years ago cinemas were spooked by the arrival of three men, their vacuum cleaner-like weapons and a host of ghouls including a rather large man made out of marshmallows.

  And now they’re all back, this time in virtual form, in an exclusive PlayStation 3 title that ticks pretty much every entertainment adventure box.

  We got the Talent

  What makes this game so special, against many other lame movie tie-ins, is that the authenticity is second-to-none. Comedians Bill Murray, Harold Ramis, Dan Akroyd and Ernie Hudson all lend voices to their respective characters from the films and Akroyd and Ramis wrote the script.

  residents being scared out of their wits by a series of spooks which need capturing – by YOU!

  They treated it like creating the final part in a big screen trilogy, setting the action in 1991, two years after Ghostbusters II. New York is once again in the grip of ghosts with residents being scared out of their wits by a series of spooks which need capturing – by YOU! As the newbie on the team, you’ll need to learn how to fire beams of light from your proton backpack to lock onto the ghouls, before dragging them into traps thrown along the floor.

  It takes a fair amount of skill to hold them amid the light, especially during times when the screen is filled with critters and flying objects. Each ghost is vulnerable to a certain type of beam from your pack so pay attention.

  And while firing gooey slime at some of the others might seem childish, honestly, it never gets boring.

  We're exterminators. Someone saw a cockroach up on twelve

  However, not every apparition needs trapping; many must be blasted to bits, which is just as enthralling. All the while you have to scan them to see who deserves what treatment, creating a complete list of the ghosts with background information on each one.

  Essentially this is a third-person shooter, played with your back to camera, and the presentation is very clever. All the info you need, from health stats to weapon in use, is displayed on the rear of the Proton Pack so you can see it at a glance. As this was designed to feel like a movie, you can tell a lot of care has been taken over the graphics and script. The likenesses of the four main men are excellent, the environments have an air of mystery and suspense around them and there are plenty of gags to make you laugh along the way.

  You can tell a lot of care has been taken over the graphics and script.

  I'm fuzzy on the whole good/bad thing. What do you mean, "bad"?

  One downside is you are restricted by the linear story that has set missions to complete and won’t let you veer off of them. Massive open arenas would have given Ghostbusters some GTA-style gameplay, taking it to another level of difficulty. Sometimes it can be a little easy and occasionally difficulty arises through quirks in the production like bad camera angles which prevent you from seeing exactly where you’re shooting. The other Ghostbusters are used primarily to create atmosphere and comedy. They help bring down hard-to-fight spooks and revive you if your health drops.

  Crucially, this works well as a standalone adventure for anyone who has never even seen the movies. The ideas, story and weapons are different enough from anything you’ll have played before. But for those adults who saw the films when they first came out, or teenagers who’ve caught up on the DVDs, the experience is a satisfying mix of nostalgia and pleasure.

  Ghostbusters, what do you want?

  There are nods to the two big screen adventures, you can mess around in their Firehouse office and Murray’s character Peter Venkman even gets some romance in the shape of a lovely lady voiced by Charmed star Alyssa Milano.

  Once you’ve played it though there aren’t many reasons to replay the story, although the multiplayer battles more than make up for that. If this is the end of the Ghostbusters story then that’d be a real shame. The makers have played safe with this version but another gaming spin-off could really push next-generation boundaries. Until then, this will keep your spirits up when stuck indoors on a rainy summer’s day.

  GAME's Verdict

  

  • Brilliant Script
  • The overwhelming nostalgia
  • Feels great to bust some ghosts.

  

  • No real replay value.
  • Online Campaign was a wasted opportunity.

  Review by: Jonathan Weinberg
  Version Tested: PlayStation 3
  Review Published: 25.06.09

  Published: 25/06/2009

• Ghostbusters Review

  Bustin' makes you feel good

  From the moment the first few bars of that iconic theme tune start playing, you're in for a treat with Ghostbusters: The Videogame. Too many games based on movies turn out to be disappointing but this is the exception to the rule - it's a great-looking, fun to play action adventure which pays due respect to the source material.

  That's probably something to do with the fact Dan Aykroyd himself was heavily involved in the development process, and even worked on the script for the game. It's easy to tell as there are some great jokes and sharp one-liners throughout, all delivered by the original actors.

  Mayhem in Manhattan

  Ghostbusters: The Videogame is set two years after the events of the second movie. Spooks are running riot in New York once again and you're hired as a new recruit to help Ray, Egon, Peter and Winston sort out the mess. You also get to try out the very latest in ghostbusting technology, such as the Slime Tether - handy for sticking objects together and hauling them around.

  Over the course of the game you get to visit familiar locations from the films, such as the New York Public Library and the Sedgewick Hotel. Along the way you'll bump into old friends like Slimer as well as some serious foes - look out for an epic boss battle with the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man.

  Phantom menace

  The visuals are excellent - environments are impressively detailed, textures are realistic and the lighting gives just the right touch of spookiness to the game's atmosphere. The Ghostbusters look just like their real-life counterparts and interact intelligently, warning you to look out and getting your back when you're under attack. The overall effect is to make you feel like you're really part of a team.

  But the best thing about Ghostbusters: The Videogame has to be getting to play with your very own proton pack. Capturing enemies, slamming them into walls and floors then dragging them into traps can be a fine art, thanks to a sophisticated control system which makes for highly satisfying gameplay.

  Slime time

  Once the novelty of battling spooks and hanging out with the Ghostbusters wears off, the game can get rather repetitive. Levels are very linear so there's no freedom to go exploring, and set pieces can feel scripted and predictable. Luckily the storyline and script are good enough to make want to keep going and find out what happens. Plus the promise of new weapons, gadgets and boss battles provides plenty of incentive to play on when things get dull.

  Alternatively you could take a break from the main story and try out the multiplayer mode. Playing as the rookie character or any one of the original Ghostbusters, you can battle it out online and communicate with other players using voice chat. Enhanced AI means ghosts are more aggressive so you'll need the numerous power-ups available, such as the Ghost Shrinker and Ethereal Shield. As you'd expect there are plenty of options for customising matches and comparing your rankings.

  Happy ending

  All in all, there's plenty to enjoy about both the single-player and online modes in Ghostbusters: The Videogame. This is one of the slickest, prettiest and most polished movie tie-ins out there, and it comes complete with authentic voice acting and a quality script. Most importantly, however, it's great fun to play.

  True, the gameplay does get repetitive in places - but if you're a fan of the films, there's enough here to keep you playing anyway. And if you're not, what's wrong with you?

  

  Spooktacular
  + Authentic script and acting.
  + Detailed, realistic-looking environments.
  + Fun proton gun mechanic.

  Slimey
  - Does get repetitive after a while.
  - Some sections feel predictable.
  - Why no offline multiplayer mode?

• Popcorn and Joypads

  

  With Prince of Persia returning to consoles in the same month the Hollywood version hits the big screen, what better excuse to look back at how others have fared when games and films overlap?

  Prince of Persia

  The Game: Nimble, athletic acts of derring-do played out against a colourful Arabian Nights backdrop since 1989. The graphics have changed, but gameplay still focuses on the simple pleasures of swishy swordplay and stunts that laugh in the face of physics.

  The Movie: Based on the 2003 game, The Sands of Time, this shamelessly entertaining romp captures the daredevil thrills of the game perfectly, while inserting appropriate amounts of character and story. The yummy Jake Gyllenhaal and the yummier Gemma Arterton supply the eye candy and witty banter, while Ben Kingsley camps it up as the villainous Vizier.

  Verdict: Since the original game was inspired by Errol Flynn?s swashbuckling antics, Prince of Persia was always ripe for the movie treatment. Thankfully, they got it right.

  Street Fighter

  The Game: The fighting fan's franchise of choice for over twenty years, this venerable series continues to go from strength to strength with the superbly balanced refinement of Super Street Fighter IV, released last month. Crazy characters with sublime gameplay - it doesn?t get much better than this.

  The Movies: Oh dear. The 1994 movie version is terrible, but has at least taken on a certain cheesy charm over the years, if only for the bizarre pairing of Jean Claude Van Damme as Guile and Kylie Minogue as Cammy. The laughably bad 2009 movie slipped past cinemas and went straight to DVD, more dull than demented. For a truly faithful film experience, fans should stick to the Street Fighter II anime.

  Verdict: Bizarre characters smashing each other to a pulp should be perfect B-movie fodder, but the lack of plot combined with dense backstory keeps tripping Street Fighter up.

  Ghostbusters

  The Movie: A seminal combination of action, comedy and horror, the 1984 original is still one of the most enjoyable and quotable blockbusters around. The 1989 sequel repeats the formula to disappointing effect, but the cast manage to keep things lively even as the story droops into slimy sentimentality.

  The Game: There have been several Ghostbusters games over the years, but it wasn't until 2009 that we got something that truly recaptured the movie's unique tone. Having Dan Ackroyd and Harold Ramis on script duty helped, but getting the notoriously reluctant Bill Murray to return was a real coup. Strip away the fan-pleasing scenarios and dialogue and it's just another corridor shooter, but a shamelessly entertaining one all the same.

  Verdict: It took twenty five years, but the result was an affectionate game that expanded and honoured its source material rather than just exploiting it.

  Super Mario Bros

  The Games: Really? You need this explaining? The most successful videogame franchise in history. A catalogue of nigh perfect game design. A series that continues to inspire and innovate, whether its New Super Mario Bros on the DS or Super Mario Galaxy 2 on the Wii. If you hate Mario, you have no soul. That?s science, people.

  The Movie: Urgh. Look away, children! Taking the bright, inviting worlds created by Miyamoto and drowning them in an oily mess of techno-grunge architecture and smug 1990s blockbusterisms, this is one of the worst films ever made. Bob Hoskins has the moustache and dungarees, but the film bears no resemblance to the games, either in quality or intent. Horrible.

  Verdict: Burn it with fire. The perfect videogame hero, Mario simply doesn't translate to live action. Never try this again, Hollywood.

  Resident Evil

  The Games: Bombastic sci-fi horror with a parade of tough cops and military types creeping around mansions and secret labs trying - and spectacularly failing - to contain the monster-making T-Virus. Since Resident Evil 4 the games have become more about action than atmosphere, much to the annoyance of some fans.

  The Movies: Well, they've got the sci fi and horror bits, and key characters from the games crop up occasionally, but this surprisingly hardy series exists more as an alternate off-shoot from the games than a literal translation. The lack of blood and guts is the number one complaint from fans used to brain-bursting headshots.

  Verdict: Both are as daft and camp as each other, but apart from sharing a title and some characters, there's not much connection between the two. Harmless dumb fun.

  Tomb Raider

  The Games: Posh girl Lara Croft travels the globe, locating ancient relics, battling supernatural forces and shooting endangered species while wearing the very latest in bottom-and-boob hugging outfits. Some would say her appeal has dimmed in recent years, as developers struggle to find new ways to do the same old thing, but she?s still a force to be reckoned with.

  The Movies: All the pieces are there, but the fact that both the Angelina Jolie-starring efforts have been average (and that's being generous) suggests that you need more than an ass-kicking babe and exotic locations to make a good movie.

  Verdict: The movies are accurate enough in translating all the important elements of Lara to the big screen, but her exploits are inevitably more interesting when you're controlling every leap and scramble.

• Popcorn and Joysticks - GAME goes to the movies!

  
  

  With Prince of Persia returning to consoles in the very same month the Hollywood version hits the big screen, what better excuse to look back at how others have fared when games and films overlap?

  

  Prince of Persia

  The Game: Nimble, athletic acts of derring-do played out against a colourful Arabian Nights backdrop since 1989. The graphics have changed, but gameplay still focuses on the simple pleasures of swishy swordplay and stunts that laugh in the face of physics.

  The Movie: Based on the 2003 game, The Sands of Time, this shamelessly entertaining romp captures the daredevil thrills of the game perfectly, while inserting appropriate amounts of character and story. The yummy Jake Gyllenhaal and the yummier Gemma Arterton supply the eye candy and witty banter, while Ben Kingsley camps it up as the villainous Vizier.

  Verdict: Since the original game was inspired by Errol Flynn's swashbuckling antics, Prince of Persia was always ripe for the movie treatment. Thankfully, they got it right.

  

  Street Fighter

  The Game: The fighting fan's franchise of choice for over twenty years, this venerable series continues to go from strength to strength with the superbly balanced refinement of Super Street Fighter IV, released last month. Crazy characters with sublime gameplay - it doesn?t get much better than this.

  The Movies: Oh dear. The 1994 movie version is terrible, but has at least taken on a certain cheesy charm over the years, if only for the bizarre pairing of Jean Claude Van Damme as Guile and Kylie Minogue as Cammy. The laughably bad 2009 movie slipped past cinemas and went straight to DVD, more dull than demented. For a truly faithful film experience, fans should stick to the Street Fighter II anime.

  Verdict: Bizarre characters smashing each other to a pulp should be perfect B-movie fodder, but the lack of plot combined with dense backstory keeps tripping Street Fighter up.

  

  Ghostbusters

  The Movie: A seminal combination of action, comedy and horror, the 1984 original is still one of the most enjoyable and quotable blockbusters around. The 1989 sequel repeats the formula to disappointing effect, but the cast manage to keep things lively even as the story droops into slimy sentimentality.

  The Game: There have been several Ghostbusters games over the years, but it wasn't until 2009 that we got something that truly recaptured the movie's unique tone. Having Dan Ackroyd and Harold Ramis on script duty helped, but getting the notoriously reluctant Bill Murray to return was a real coup. Strip away the fan-pleasing scenarios and dialogue and it's just another corridor shooter, but a shamelessly entertaining one all the same.

  Verdict: It took twenty five years, but the result was an affectionate game that expanded and honoured its source material rather than just exploiting it.

  

  Super Mario Bros

  The Games: Really? You need this explaining? The most successful videogame franchise in history. A catalogue of nigh perfect game design. A series that continues to inspire and innovate, whether its New Super Mario Bros on the DS or Super Mario Galaxy 2 on the Wii. If you hate Mario, you have no soul. That?s science, people.

  The Movie: Urgh. Look away, children! Taking the bright, inviting worlds created by Miyamoto and drowning them in an oily mess of techno-grunge architecture and smug 1990s blockbusterisms, this is one of the worst films ever made. Bob Hoskins has the moustache and dungarees, but the film bears no resemblance to the games, either in quality or intent. Horrible.

  Verdict: Burn it with fire. The perfect videogame hero, Mario simply doesn't translate to live action. Never try this again, Hollywood.

  

  Resident Evil

  The Games: Bombastic sci-fi horror with a parade of tough cops and military types creeping around mansions and secret labs trying - and spectacularly failing - to contain the monster-making T-Virus. Since Resident Evil 4 the games have become more about action than atmosphere, much to the annoyance of some fans.

  The Movies: Well, they've got the sci fi and horror bits, and key characters from the games crop up occasionally, but this surprisingly hardy series exists more as an alternate off-shoot from the games than a literal translation. The lack of blood and guts is the number one complaint from fans used to brain-bursting headshots.

  Verdict: Both are as daft and camp as each other, but apart from sharing a title and some characters, there's not much connection between the two. Harmless dumb fun.

  

  Tomb Raider

  The Games: Posh girl Lara Croft travels the globe, locating ancient relics, battling supernatural forces and shooting endangered species while wearing the very latest in bottom-and-boob hugging outfits. Some would say her appeal has dimmed in recent years, as developers struggle to find new ways to do the same old thing, but she's still a force to be reckoned with.

  The Movies: All the pieces are there, but the fact that both the Angelina Jolie-starring efforts have been average (and that's being generous) suggests that you need more than an ass-kicking babe and exotic locations to make a good movie.

  Verdict: The movies are accurate enough in translating all the important elements of Lara to the big screen, but her exploits are inevitably more interesting when you're controlling every leap and scramble.

  Published: 18/05/2010

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