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GHOSTRUNNER (XONE)
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Publisher: 505 Games.
Developer: One More Level. Released: October 2020. Genre: Third-person shoot 'em up. Other versions: XSX; PS5; PS4; SWI; PC. Posted 16th March 2023. By Shane Battams © 2023 |
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Ghostrunner would prove one of those indie titles that quickly turned heads thanks to its premise and concept. A cyberpunk mesh of free-running and hardcore gameplay, it’s an exciting blend of old-school principles and modern tech, utilising Unreal Engine 4. It’s one of those games that likely won’t appeal to the impatient, as for some, the trial-and-error gameplay could quickly start to grate. But those willing to tackle its steep learning curve will find this effort to be exhilarating, rewarding and ultimately compelling.
In a world where a global disaster has left survivors seeking refuge in the Dharma Tower, a Ghostrunner awakens with no memory of his past. Guided only by a mysterious Whisper who aids the runner’s escape from swarming guards, we eventually learn this is the Architect, a preserved AI who was involved in the creation of Dharma. With Mara betraying both and assuming control of the entire location, the Runner and Architect must work together to rebuild the former’s capabilities so he can defeat Mara at the top of the tower while uncovering snippets of the past. Though the story doesn’t have a huge presence during gameplay, it’s well-woven enough to be intriguing, and extra little elements such as joining the ally rebel force and pieces of the broader puzzle serving to stoke your curiosity.
Ghostrunner mixes the parkour platforming of Mirror's Edge with the unflinching brutality of Hotline Miami to potent effect
Across 17 levels, Ghostrunner is best described as a parkour death simulator. Armed with only a katana and incredible athletic prowess, One More Level sends you through a cavalcade of challenge rooms as you’re tasked with figuring out how to kill everyone without dying yourself. While enemies die in a single hit, so do you. It sounds immensely frustrating, but checkpoints are spread pretty decently and you can instantly reload with the press of a button, aping the frenzied challenge of Hotline Miami. There’s an immense satisfaction to nailing a perfect spree of well-timed slashes, as you cut up guards with quickness and style to spare, and for most players, that feeling powers you through the many deaths you suffer. Rooms feel flexible in their approach, with alternative paths that could lead to a better outcome.
It helps that the gameplay glue holds this together extremely well. Controls are spot-on, with response and slick speed mimicking the best of its class, making manoeuvres like wall running and sliding as well as combat attacks a breeze. There’s also a real sense of growth as you progress, with new powers genuinely reshaping the gameplay. Blink lets you dash through foes, Tempest and Surge sends out a blast which differ slightly and Overlord lets you possess foes to turn them on their allies. Abilities shaped like tetramino pieces allow you to upgrade abilities, requiring you to factor in the space on your grid rather than just spending points. It’s something of an art lost in modern games, and a key upgrade choice could make your life much easier or ill-fit the situation you’re about to encounter, encouraging experimentation.
It helps that the gameplay glue holds this together extremely well. Controls are spot-on, with response and slick speed mimicking the best of its class, making manoeuvres like wall running and sliding as well as combat attacks a breeze. There’s also a real sense of growth as you progress, with new powers genuinely reshaping the gameplay. Blink lets you dash through foes, Tempest and Surge sends out a blast which differ slightly and Overlord lets you possess foes to turn them on their allies. Abilities shaped like tetramino pieces allow you to upgrade abilities, requiring you to factor in the space on your grid rather than just spending points. It’s something of an art lost in modern games, and a key upgrade choice could make your life much easier or ill-fit the situation you’re about to encounter, encouraging experimentation.
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Only a few components dampen the enjoyment. Sometimes, there’s a noticeable pause when striking down some foes, a problem more prevalent at the beginning of the game. Normally, this wouldn’t be too annoying, but considering how key timing can be to your success, this sudden freeze can lead to some cheap deaths. The challenge is really high with this one, and a few segments could cause impatient gamers to quit. A boss, of sorts, involving climbing up laser hazards that gradually become more intense, proved particularly devilish. There are also a few oddities like the Ghostrunner failing to connect with a wall run, though you can count the times it happens on one hand. It’s just, with so much challenge already, these little hiccups prove more noticeable.
Ghostrunner belies its independent nature, proving a great looking game that features plentiful detail, mostly smooth performance and an appealing aesthetic. The decrepit cyberpunk world feels cold and disused, with flickering neon signs and uncanny tech highlighting a place suffering decay. Animations look good, particularly combat and platforming, and the lighting is stunning with hues of colours highlighted tremendously. The sound is great, particularly the catchy soundtrack which utilises a slew of sci-fi techno that suits the setting very well, and avoids repetition through lengthy track cycles. Voicing is strong, particularly for the Architect, whose constant blunt remarks and cold delivery leaves you uneasy.
Ghostrunner belies its independent nature, proving a great looking game that features plentiful detail, mostly smooth performance and an appealing aesthetic. The decrepit cyberpunk world feels cold and disused, with flickering neon signs and uncanny tech highlighting a place suffering decay. Animations look good, particularly combat and platforming, and the lighting is stunning with hues of colours highlighted tremendously. The sound is great, particularly the catchy soundtrack which utilises a slew of sci-fi techno that suits the setting very well, and avoids repetition through lengthy track cycles. Voicing is strong, particularly for the Architect, whose constant blunt remarks and cold delivery leaves you uneasy.
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Naturally for this sort of game, your mileage will vary depending how quickly you adapt to Ghostrunner’s challenging gameplay. The 17 stages feel substantial though and there’s incentive to explore thanks to a large assortment of collectibles including customisable swords. Killrun offers a selection of maps with strict time limits, where killing foes is the only way of replenishing time. For those masochists who didn’t quite get their fill on the regular campaign, Hardcore ups the ante by placing tougher foes earlier on and more challenging encounters to face. You have all upgrades available from the beginning, though that’s but a small mercy.
Ghostrunner proves a great time, thanks to its immense challenge and the incredible sense of satisfaction for mastering it. It’s “live, die, repeat” much of the time, but nailing the sequence of moves to wipe out a room of armed guards never gets tiring. It looks great, plays very well and features plentiful room for experimentation. While some technical issues and steep learning curve may turn some people off, those who cut their teeth on the myriad of challenging indies from this generation will revel in the challenge. Like a crazy mix of Mirror’s Edge and Hotline Miami, this is one cyberpunk game players should definitely check out.
Ghostrunner proves a great time, thanks to its immense challenge and the incredible sense of satisfaction for mastering it. It’s “live, die, repeat” much of the time, but nailing the sequence of moves to wipe out a room of armed guards never gets tiring. It looks great, plays very well and features plentiful room for experimentation. While some technical issues and steep learning curve may turn some people off, those who cut their teeth on the myriad of challenging indies from this generation will revel in the challenge. Like a crazy mix of Mirror’s Edge and Hotline Miami, this is one cyberpunk game players should definitely check out.
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VERDICT
"It’s "Live, Die, Repeat" much of the time, but an immense challenge and the incredible sense of satisfaction for mastering it means Ghostrunner proves a great experience." OVERALL: 8/10 |