Before I had even purchased a Sony PlayStation 3 gaming console, I had Ghostbusters pre-ordered.  When I heard that the game was finally going to be released I ran to the local GameStop and put some money down on it (this was early 2008).  Then some bad news surfaced.  Activision was no longer publishing the game due to some financial problems and it was speculated that the game was going to be canceled.  The game had already been put off for some time and was approximately 5 years in the making already.

Well towards the end of 2008 it was announced that Activision turned over publishing rights to Atari.  When I heard the news about the publishing being turned over to Atari I was thrilled.  For the most part I think the Ghostbusters game would have suffered it would have stayed in the Activision camp.

Ghostbusters is an action/adventure game based on the 1984 film of the same name.  The events in the game actually take place in 1991 (which falls in place just after the events of the 1989 film, Ghostbusters 2). Technically you could call this game "part 3" in the series since the currently "announced" film is suffering from some production issues.

In the game you take control of an "unnamed" employee.  For the most part of the game all the guys call you "Rookie" or "Recruit".  There is some comical dialog at the beginning of the game where Ray (Dan Aykroyd) is getting ready to introduce you to the rest of the team, but Peter (Bill Murray) interrupts and says he doesn't want to know your name so he doesn't have to get "too attached" to you when something goes wrong.  You also get the title "Experimental Equipment Technician".  Which essentially means you get to wear all the untested (dangerous) equipment (did I say dangerous) on your back...

The story features the likenesses and voices of the original cast of Ghostbusters.  Ernie Hudson, Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, and Harold Ramis all reprise their original roles.  Playing the game is like watching a movie at times and I find myself just sitting and enjoying the comical dialog, etc.  The game follows the elements of the other films closely and for the most part you could call the game "cannon".  The plot of the game is centered on the recent opening of a museum exhibit with items about Gozer as the main attraction.  For those who have seen the 1984 film will remember that Gozer was the "Destroyer" who the Ghostbusters defeated.  You also learn that the architect who built the apartment building to worship Gozer in the 1984 film is responsible for the latest paranormal activity.  You learn that his architectural firm is still involved with the occult even after his death some 50 to 60+ years before and has been funding research digging up more Gozer artifacts and sponsoring the exhibit at the museum.

The gameplay is set up in a similar 3rd Person style as seen in games like Resident Evil 4 (and Resident Evil 5) with the camera situated behind/over-the-shoulder of the character you assume the role of.   In the center of the screen there are some crosshairs that help you aim your proton wand and other weapons.  The Left Analog Stick moves your character around the various environments you are exploring and the Right Analog Stick rotates the camera and allows you to line up the crosshairs with whatever you need to.  The L2 and R2 Triggers fire your proton weapon and the D-Pad allows you to choose any of the unlocked weapon modes you have available (proton beam, stun weapon, slime spray, etc)

Like most action and adventure games that give you a "gun", you have to reload when you run out of rounds.  Except in this game you don't have a normal gun.  You have a proton wand that allows you to shoot beams out of it just like in the films to capture the ghosts.  Your proton pack though overheats when you use the wand, so you have to cool down/recharge the pack by pressing R1.

Pretty much the whole point of the game is to go from place to place and capture ghosts.  Each time you capture a ghost in your trap you earn money for new weapons and other upgrades.  Some ghosts don't need capturing and when you use your proton weapon they just die (which still earns you money).  Just like in the movies you can "wrangle" ghosts with your proton beam by holding down the R2 Trigger and when the ghost is weak enough by tapping the L1 Button which allows you to "drag" the ghost to your trap (which is set by the Square Button).  It's probably the most enjoyable part of the game.  You can also uses your proton beam to pick up large objects (refrigerators, etc) and move them out of the way or throw them.

The action is fast paced but there are some moments that require you to take your time and explore the environment with your goggles and PKE Meter.  Exploring the environment allows you to gather information on the various ghosts you come in contact with.  Most entities leave behind evidence for you to evaluate which helps you learn what their weaknesses are etc.  You can also find cursed/haunted artifacts that earn you money for new upgrades, weapons, and more.

The controls seem fine and responsive to me.  I really don't find any fault with the controls.  The game tries to give you the impression you are playing a FPS (First Person Shooter) with the fast paces gameplay and a requirement to gain mastery of both Analog Sticks.  The default setup of the controls is probably the best way to go.  I do find it awkward to run at times.  Running is achieved by holding down the Circle Button.  When you do this your character takes off sprinting and he gets a little hard to control.  Also you are unable to use your weapons while running.  It's mostly just used to get away from a "situation".

The graphics are in my opinion just wonderful.  They don't compare to games like Uncharted 2 or Metal Gear: Solid 4, but they are well rendered and take advantage of the 1080p output of the Sony PlayStation 3 console (assuming you are using a HDMI cable for the video output and have a HD Television capable of displaying 1080p).  My television in the family room is not a High Definition TV, but the game still looks great in Standard Definition (480p).  I do have a TV/Monitor in my room that is capable of 1080p and the game looks amazing.  The PS3 version is the way to go if you are having a hard time choosing between it and the Xbox 360 version.  The Xbox 360 version is only capable of putting out 720p resolution unless you have the latest "Update" from Microsoft because the Xbox 360 does not come equiped with the hardware/software to produce 1080i/p resolution when shipped from the factory.  The game disc itself is capable of putting out 1080p resolution, just as long as you have that Update released back in November 2009 (aproximate release time as far as I know).  And it's debatable whether or not it produces "true" 1080p with the current update.  Don't get me wrong, 720p looks great and is still classified as "High Definition".  Most people can't tell the difference anyway.

The characters in the game all resemble there real life counterparts.  Even the mannerisms of the characters have been well rendered.  Terminal Reality did a great job with the character graphics.  It also helped that Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis had a hand in steering the development team in the proper direction so the game stayed true to the iconic film.  The level designs are probably the best I have seen in games of this nature.  For the most part the various locations you visit are fully interactive.  You can knock over vases on tables, push tables out of the way when you run into them, etc.  Also glass shatters if you happened to shoot your proton weapon at anything breakable, burn marks are left on the walls, etc.  The lighting effects are also well done.  Shadows are accurately cast on the environment as your character walks by a candle, lamp, etc.  Developers have seemed to have gotten lighting and water effects down too.

The Ghostbusters HQ even looks the same as it did in the two films.  There are some additional items in the firehouse, but it is essentially the same as what we see in the film.  Tributes to both films are scattered around the firehouse (like the toaster from the second film, etc).  The Ghostbusters HQ is even interactive.  You can listen to messages on your answering machine after each mission (one hints to a film being released "summer 2010" if you listen closely), slide down the fire pole like in the first film, turn on the shower and flush the toilets, play around on the classic Q-Bert arcade machine, etc.  Even Janine (voiced by Annie Potts) makes a return as the secretary at HQ.

The game also lets you revisit several locales from the films like the Hedgwick Hotel from the first film, walk down Times Square in New York City, etc.  You get to chase down Slimer...again (and yes...Peter gets slimed once more), and you also battle the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man!

The game also features the iconic soundtrack from the films as well as the famous Ray Parker Jr. theme song.  For the most part Bernstein's score is intact and not much has been added.  There are a few instances of additional music, but for the most part it's a recycled film score, which isn't a bad thing in my opinion.  I am happy with the music included in the game and it brings back a lot of memories from when I saw this film in the theater over 25 years ago. The voice-overs are well done and the dialog is comical.  Many players may not understand some of the dialog if they have never seen the films.  I find myself laughing at times when others may not.  The voice-overs do not sync properly at times though, but this is easily ignored.  The game also supports Dolby Digital® 5.1 Surround Sound.  So if you have a home theater system, you better have it on if you want to experience everything the game has to offer.  Even the NPC's (non-playable characters) in each location talk and make comments when you walk or run by them.  Like the bellhops at the Sedgewick Hotel make comments like "Whoa, the Ghostbusters...no way!", etc.

The sound effects are pretty good and for the most part accurate. In my opinion it's probably one of the best elements of the game. When you bump into a table with a vase or bottles they clank around and when you shoot lamps on the wall with your proton weapon they make a shattering sound.  Walking through the water makes a "splooshing" sound, etc. Also the atmospheric/environmental sounds like water in the fountains, the P.A. system at the museum announcing the exhibits, etc. are a nice touch.  One of the sections of the library level is startling, especially when you go into the "children's book" section.  The haunting sounds of children laughing and crying is enough to make the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.  It's like I was playing a Silent Hill game.  All this was intensified by the low level of light in the part of the library as well as the 5.1 surround sound of dead children playing in my living room.  The developers did a great job in making you feel like you are really at the specified location you happen to be playing at the moment.

Ghostbusters for the Sony PlayStation 3 is somewhat of a short game if you played it through without trying to search for the hidden "cursed" artifacts.  The PS3 version of the game also includes Trophies like most the games released now.  Trophies are pretty much bragging rights for when you are logged onto the PlayStation Network.  Trophies are earned for things as easy as "Sliding Down the fire pole" to harder things like "Collecting All the Artifacts".  This adds to the replay value of the game because if you are like me, you want to get 100% on any game you play.  Also the game supports DLC (Downloadable Content) so it's possible to see new levels/missions introduced later on.  I have not had the opportunity to play online yet, but the game does have a 1 to 4 player Co-op as well as online exclusive missions and trophies.

For the most part the game is without flaw in my opinion (other than not being able to drive the Ecto-1).  I would not call it "Game of the Year" either, but for diehard fans of the films it is sufficient enough.  Even after playing the game all the way through and unlocking the entire bonus stuff (film trailers, artwork, etc), I still think that the game has some replay value.  It's just a fun game meant for the individuals who grew up in the 1980's and were fans of the films (especially the first film).  It's the closest you'll ever get to strapping on your back an "unlicensed nuclear accelerator"...
_________________________

[GAME]
Ghostbusters

[PLATFORM]
Sony PlayStation 3 (PS3)

[DEVELOPER/PUBLISHER]
Terminal Reality/Atari

[RELEASE YEAR]
2009

[GENRE]
Action/Adventure

[ESRB RATING]
T for Teen
_________________________

© Copyright 2010 Chris_Billings

Recommended: Yes