A game that I simply abandoned, where it requires a lot of precision, patience using trial and error.
Image credit: PlayStation / Sony Interactive Entertainment promotional art.
Source: PlayStation
Summary
- Name of the game: Ghostrunner
- Launch dateOctober 27, 2020.
- Developer: One More Level, 3D Realms, Slipgate Ironworks
- Publisher: 505 Games
- Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch
- Genre: First Person Shooter, Cyberpunk, Platformer, First Person Action
- ContextIn a post-apocalyptic cyberpunk world, you play a cybernetic warrior who must fight his way through a gigantic tower controlled by a tyrant, combining fast-paced combat with precise platforming.
History and narrative
You are a Ghostrunner, the last of your kind. After waking up with no memory, your goal is to ascend the Dharma Tower and bring down the oppressive regime. The story is fairly simple but effective in the sense that it is understandable, with dialogue gradually revealing the background of the protagonist and the world. The construction of the setting is subtle but immersive.
Gameplay
Ghostrunner is based on speed, precision and reflexes. A single hit can kill both you and your enemies. It combines parkour, katana combat, and special abilities. Very precise and agile, essential for jumps and quick reflexes, although at the beginning it can be complicated to adapt. It has a high learning curve.
It is not an easy game and requires repetition, too much patience, it is a game of trial and error, so dying is ten times more frequent than in a souls. but the feeling of progress is very satisfying. It has challenging levels, collectibles, and speedruns. The “dash” in the air to dodge bullets and the grapple hook to cross chasms are its most prominent mechanics. Cybervoid sections change the rhythm and add digital puzzles.
Graphics and visual design
It is a very polished game, especially on PC and next generation consoles. It has a Cyberpunk style, neon lights, dark cities, futuristic brutalist architecture. Really for the kind of game it is, its graphics are good and artistic design is outstanding.
Sound and music
The electronic soundtrack type synthwave that perfectly accompanies the frenetic pace of the game. The sound effects are well done, from the katana slashes to the metallic noises of the environment. The voice acting is decent. It's not the highlight, but it fulfills its narrative function.
Difficulty and accessibility
Its difficulty is high. There is little margin for error. Although there are frequent checkpoints, you will die too much. Its accessibility is limited. It does not have many options for people with visual or motor disabilities, although it has been improved somewhat with updates. Being a game where the visual section is important, it should have more options.
Additional content
The main campaign takes about 7-10 hours, although I think it can take more because of the amount of attempts you have to make to advance. It has a good replayability thanks to the possibility of replaying levels to improve times or find secrets. In my case I would just play through the game once and that's it. There are few extra activities, but the collectibles and challenges can add value. It has expansions like Project_Hel, where you control another character with different gameplay.
Technical Aspects
Its performance is excellent on mid to high-end PCs. Console versions run well, with notable improvements on PS5 and Xbox X Series X|S. It has very few bugs. It is a fairly polished game since its launch. Even gaming laptops can run it decently on medium configurations.
Value for money
Approximately $30 USD at the time, I have to say that I got it thanks to ps plus in the monthly games, otherwise I would not have bought it and after trying it I would not pay more than $10 USD for this game, mostly because it has a basic story, a gameplay that I did not like, these games of trying over and over again in this way are not worth it since most of the time you spend it retrying than advancing.
Trophies / Achievements
- Platinum obtained: No.
- Percentage of trophies: 0%.
- Estimated time: 15 hours being good.
- Platinum difficulty: 6/10. It is a complicated platinum that requires too many attempts and patience.
Conclusion
Ghostrunner is an intense, fast and stylish experience that rewards precision and perseverance. It is not for everyone due to its difficulty, in my case I like games that represent a challenge, however, this is not the case of the type of games that I like therefore I admit that I did not advance in the game, although it does not mean that it is bad, but I have not found it an unforgettable experience, because it was not going to be. The fact of putting the player to die too many times in a single moment, dying at the first hit is not something for me at all, I had good expectations and its approach has not convinced me. Now if you like quick challenges, futuristic parkour and katanas, this game is for you.
My final rating for Ghostunner is:
2.5/5.0
