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Ghost Master Review
Derek dela Fuente
23/08/2004
TVG gathers the eco-plasm and checks out the Xbox and PS2 coversions...
Now here is a game that has plenty of pedigree behind it. If you did not read our preview we will quickly fill you in. Greg Barnett was part of the famous Teeny Weeny team that brought us the Discworld game and who then went on to set up his own team, as well has having loads of success before, and created this title. Having already been released on the PC, to great success, Empire, in their great wisdom, believed it was prime for XBOX and PS2. (We also need to say a different development team has done the XBOX version, along with the PS2!) Not wanting to be seen as merely porting a successful game onto two more formats, although many publishers have no concern about this, they wanted to improve and rectify any blemishes that a few critical voices suggested.
The first thing you may notice, if you have played the PC game, and we shall make this the first and last comparison, is that the intro/aviâs have been improved to bring an even spookier flavour to the game. In general terms graphically the game has been elevated, along with some adjustments to the controls!
The loading intro sequence, that pulls the player into the game, is long, amusing and very reminiscent of a cartoon sequence taken from Scooby Doo. Overthetop noises and facial expressions, along with comic caper animations give it all a very âcartooneyâ feel although the look is very stylised!
The first gaming element the players will be introduced to is the Ghost Master learning level where you will be shown how to use the various spook effects you have to frighten mere mortals. This early learning process is painless and after the briefest period you will be ready to play the game but there is a little more to learn before you are set free to do your very worse!
After the basic training comes the Master Class, where you will learn in detail about all the Ghosts powers, what Ghosts can do and their real agenda! Understanding the Ghost carousel icon is important and although you have a number of elements and controls to remember its only via playing, making mistakes galore, do you become really accustomed to the set up. Whereas Boo Ghost is good for chasing, WeatherWitch can tamper with objects and in some cases it more effective. Lucky Ghost is great for attracting Mortals to places they donât really want to be but just canât help themselves, and MoonScream Ghostâs speciality is depleting resistance of Mortals via a number of its powers. There is a myriad of other Ghosts coming with their own foibles you have to learn but we are sure you get the picture! Learning all about âLimboâ is something you will become familiar with after a short period! Ghosts do suffer some afflictions of mere mortals - they need rest and rejuvenation to be in tiptop shape!
Now with all your powers and underhand tricks you must take note of your plasma and plasmometers. Powers use plasma and so you could easily find yourself low on power to be able to use a required trick and although your power does increase slowly over a period it is only by scaring mortals will it build at a speedier rate!
Now weâve told you that you have a number of Ghosts along with their own traits, best if we run over setting the scene again just in case you donât know what is on offer. Itâs a bit like a mix of Ghost Busters come Haunted House but you are the GHOSTSâ controller and you are out to frighten the living daylights out of Mortals. As you would expect shenanigans galore with devious powers could easily result in endless hours of fun and total captivation! That is a major health warning for Mortals in itself! Some might even be as bold as to say it could result in total boredom â“ a Ghost Spook to those that do!
Ok, we will spill the beans early on just so you will know where we are going here!
Ghost Master may not be the fanciest game weâve ever seen, it may not be the most detailed, nor the most extensive but it offers both fun and action planning endeavours of the highest order!
So now back to some basics. Via the controller you move the Ghosts to any desired spots in a large 3D house or building pertinent to the mission. Place the Ghost in the room and then use a power. Itâs all single press manipulation. Now things could start to become devious. In many cases you will confront the Mortal aspiration face on â“ execute a trick and give them a âpant loadâ. It may sound mundane but itâs NOT!
The levels are made up with objectives and tasks and although early on what is presented does seem pretty trivial this is a great ploy to pull you into the game to become totally focused and you will find it works!
Later on you will be faced with Priests, Mediums and Shamans and this will certainly sort out the gamer with skill! Some mind playing skills and actions are served up by some âGodlyâ forms and the challenge really kicks into total gaming!
The layout of the game looks a bit like the Sims with 3D cutaway rooms that you can scroll around and enter. Moving from one room to another via the plan view makes for speedy play and the incredibly original game is very very atmospheric, which in this case, is essential!
Although whilst playing using your wits, cunning and strategically planning are tagged together, itâs strategy very much to do with actions and the battling elements of the mortals, which gives a very full and interactive feel. It is not just about plonking down a Ghost and tricking or scaring them witless!
Whereas the original game, (yes we could not help ourselves) was very much strategic action, it is now very action strategic and as a result a slightly faster pace ensues which in turns gives it real appeal to console fans!
Some of the locations are new whilst others are from the original game which include the Police Station and a spoof on the Evil Dead movie and each missions does offer many unique ideas that add to the overall enjoyment of the game. If you think it is all about outright and blatantly being horrid then you are nearly right although there are bits where you must not scare the humans to win the day and importantly also building up your entourage of Ghosts by freeing them!
