Ghost Master (2003)

 PC
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 106 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 75 out of 106
  2. Mixed: 21 out of 106
  3. Negative: 10 out of 106
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  1. NShep53
    Jan 6, 2017
    10
    Ghost Master is definitely the definition of a video game cult classic. It's similar to the Sims in style, but with ghosts. And instead of living the life as a person, you scare the sh*t out of people as ghosts. It's fun and cheap, go pick it up on Steam today.
  2. keefbaker
    Nov 13, 2013
    8
    This really is indeed quite fun. Appeals to the practical joker in you as you set up a haunting and wait to see what happens, then adding extra bits and... oh, it really is a lot of fun, I don't want to spoil it.
  3. PodejrzanyKaktu
    May 22, 2014
    10
    This game is my childhood. I was playing it when I was 6 years old. Ghost Master's my favourite game. My grandma bought it in the shop. When I saw it i was like: Ehhhh, what is this? After playing: OMG THANKS!!! I LOVE YOU!!! :)
  4. ZahruR.
    Oct 13, 2003
    9
    uuuuuhhhhh !!! this game ROCKS, you will looooove this GHOST ^_^
  5. Stephen
    Oct 28, 2003
    7
    Needs a nudity cheat or something.
  6. overfiend87
    Aug 7, 2013
    9
    A old game, but definantly fun and worth the small price. You play as the ghost master, commanding ghosts and going on missions to scare hapless mortals and rescue trapped ghosts, but the mortals are not without their defences. Beware of Mediums, Witches and the Ghost Breakers (cause clearly breakin' makes you feel good) who will hunt down your ghosts and attempt to exorcise them from theA old game, but definantly fun and worth the small price. You play as the ghost master, commanding ghosts and going on missions to scare hapless mortals and rescue trapped ghosts, but the mortals are not without their defences. Beware of Mediums, Witches and the Ghost Breakers (cause clearly breakin' makes you feel good) who will hunt down your ghosts and attempt to exorcise them from the haunting location.

    This is a game I would love to see a sequal to as there are things that need a bit of altering to it with not much re-play value apart from attaining new powers by revisiting levels and scaring the wits out of people, which is always entertaining.    … Expand
  7. armh1313
    Oct 6, 2020
    10
    I've loved this game for over a decade and played it about 5 times all the way through.

    It has its downsides, the controls can be wonky at times and some of the puzzles are a little obtuse, but god this game is so much fun and the concept is just fantastic.

    It's a crying shame there was never a sequel.
  8. Malcolm
    Nov 2, 2010
    10
    An amazing game. Great idea, very nice atmosphere, also contains a lot of references and parodies. It starts so simple, yet grows harder later, the tasks also range from simple scare-them-all-away at the beginning to rather complex as the player advances in the game. Too bad that there are no plans to make a sequel as far as I know, it could use modern graphics and more missions.
  9. LauraB.
    Mar 28, 2004
    10
    This game is GREAT and im not kidding.
  10. ScottReid
    May 30, 2012
    10
    A great game! Fun, interesting, addictive. A sequel would be welcomed. Now they want more characters here.. hbafjlasfasffaawasfasfasfbsrejtdsrhsrhdsrhsrhshhrsrhvbres
  11. Skulb
    Mar 25, 2011
    8
    Although it could have used a few more locations and levels, as well as being a little less puzzle intense towards the end it`s a great title. Well worth the budget price on Steam.
  12. StevenB.
    Jul 21, 2007
    4
    Good idea, but badly deployed. The game feels very limited, and some points is almost impossible to complete levels. The final level is basically impossible unless you have 3 or 4 days to waste waiting for the perfect moment to complete the set sequence of your ghosts needed to finishes the level. You will get some enjoyment out of the game, but it will eventually become rather monotonous Good idea, but badly deployed. The game feels very limited, and some points is almost impossible to complete levels. The final level is basically impossible unless you have 3 or 4 days to waste waiting for the perfect moment to complete the set sequence of your ghosts needed to finishes the level. You will get some enjoyment out of the game, but it will eventually become rather monotonous and boring.… Expand
  13. [Anonymous]
    Sep 13, 2003
    8
    Finished it in under 3 days tho.
  14. RobR.
    Dec 4, 2003
    6
    Ghost Master was pretty fun for a couple hours, but the repetitive gameplay bored me after that. The environments are reminiscent of "The Sims" but overall somewhat bland, except for the ghosts' power animations, which are pretty cool. I had some serious framerate problems in crowded levels (such as the police station) despite my system's high specs, which made the game hard to Ghost Master was pretty fun for a couple hours, but the repetitive gameplay bored me after that. The environments are reminiscent of "The Sims" but overall somewhat bland, except for the ghosts' power animations, which are pretty cool. I had some serious framerate problems in crowded levels (such as the police station) despite my system's high specs, which made the game hard to control. Look for it in a bargain bin...… Expand
  15. HotdogWithSauce
    Aug 10, 2011
    2
    The idea behind this game was good but the game itself became very repetitive and boring rather quickly. This is one of those games that would, in my opinion, only be worth picking up if it was in a 'bargain bin' and even then it's not really worth paying anything for.
  16. groggarioth
    Nov 2, 2011
    5
    This game just about manages to be an average game, the concept while not fully unique, does present it in a new way, ghosts rather than evil demons, or henchmen, but the game is plagued with clipping issues, aggravating camera angles, and humor which doesn't work. The puzzles demand a single mental path which can sometimes be impossible to detect, or so simple it will make you snort withThis game just about manages to be an average game, the concept while not fully unique, does present it in a new way, ghosts rather than evil demons, or henchmen, but the game is plagued with clipping issues, aggravating camera angles, and humor which doesn't work. The puzzles demand a single mental path which can sometimes be impossible to detect, or so simple it will make you snort with derision.
    Overall the game just seems like a waste of time, fun at the beginning but by the time I got to the end of the second act I was so bored I felt like I had been playing the game for three days solid, when I had been playing for half an hour.
    If you can get past the sometimes crazy logic, or find some of the rare gems in the game (like nearly every level taking its name or setting from a famous movie), you're still going to find what this game really is, a good concept with no expansion or alteration for the later levels. Get it if you are patient or have too much free time on your hands.    … Expand
  17. TheFiddler
    Jul 2, 2012
    6
    Not particularly awesome, the graphics are subpar, but the gameplay is fun enough to pass the time with and for spending less than two dollars on the game, I can't really complain. It was charming at first, but I quickly got bored with the game. I play it now and then just to see if it's better than I think...and the same happens, it's fun for a while but gets old. Not a bad game, someNot particularly awesome, the graphics are subpar, but the gameplay is fun enough to pass the time with and for spending less than two dollars on the game, I can't really complain. It was charming at first, but I quickly got bored with the game. I play it now and then just to see if it's better than I think...and the same happens, it's fun for a while but gets old. Not a bad game, some might enjoy it even more than I did, the ghost variety was neat.… Expand
  18. Miotke
    Dec 1, 2019
    7
    Cool                                                                                                  
  19. GolovA
    Apr 6, 2017
    7
    Very good idea, atmospheric (especially befitting the Halloween mood), good tutorial, and a smooth learning curve. However, with so much good going on in the game - there is no strategy, and the tactics are one-dimensional. For example, set your ghosts to scare, wait for 15 minutes, and the tenants will run away screaming. No strategy needed. But when the mission dictates a certainVery good idea, atmospheric (especially befitting the Halloween mood), good tutorial, and a smooth learning curve. However, with so much good going on in the game - there is no strategy, and the tactics are one-dimensional. For example, set your ghosts to scare, wait for 15 minutes, and the tenants will run away screaming. No strategy needed. But when the mission dictates a certain condition (such as "lead the police to the dead remains") - the game is completely random.

    Very nice concept, comic scary mood, humorous - but did not age well - the UI is lacking.
    I wish they made a second part and polished the game.    … Expand
  20. slippery
    Nov 12, 2013
    9
    I got this game really cheap in a steam sale, so right away, my expectations weren't super-high. Mostly I chose it because I've played so many games that now I'm just looking for unique and original experiences and boy did I get THAT with Ghost Master!

    This has been absolutely one of my favorite video games in recent years. This is a strategy game where you're in charge of a team    I got this game really cheap in a steam sale, so right away, my expectations weren't super-high. Mostly I chose it because I've played so many games that now I'm just looking for unique and original experiences and boy did I get THAT with Ghost Master!

    This has been absolutely one of my favorite video games in recent years.

    This is a strategy game where you're in charge of a team of ghosts, each with varying abilities. There are a variety of missions, but most boil down to: Scare these people away.

    In each mission there are new ghosts that you absolutely SHOULD try to release. Once you find them, you can use their powers, which is helpful.

    You have an energy meter that tells how many ghost-powers you can use at once, and in the beginning you have to balance between using a lot of small powers or using one big power. As you scare more people, you get more energy.

    The trick is that often, to release trapped ghosts, you have to scare a few people just enough to bump up the energy meter WITHOUT scaring away the people you need who have to perform some task to free the ghost (like playing a piano, looking in a mirror, or turning on a water pump).

    Later you have the opportunity to UPGRADE your ghosts' powers with new, often more powerful powers.

    The game levels up nicely, with newer missions becoming increasingly challenging, and with the release requirements for some ghosts needing strategy. Later, there are people (such as witches) who have the power to banish your ghosts from the mission (for which you'll lose points, not to mention losing an important team-member for that mission).

    This creates tension and requires you to keep an eye on your ghosts, protect them, use strategy, etc.

    You can also REPLAY missions to go back and free ghosts you missed or just build up more energy you can use to buy new powers.

    There's a LOT of replay value because you can go back later with different ghosts and try the scenario again using other tactics.

    All in all, Ghost Master is a charming, inventive, intelligent and very original and unique game. Those looking for an action game will be disappointed, but people who like puzzles, tactical games and adventure games will certainly enjoy Ghost Master a lot.    … Expand
  21. ZiddersRoofurry
    Aug 20, 2014
    10
    If you're into sim games like Dungeon Keeper 1&2, Zoo Tycoon, or Evil Genius then you will love this adorable little gem of a game. It has a fun Goosebumps/Halloweentown-esque style, and the designers put a lot of effort into making the intricacies of the game easy to understand via the games intro tutorial. There's a decent amount of replay value, too due to your being able to go back andIf you're into sim games like Dungeon Keeper 1&2, Zoo Tycoon, or Evil Genius then you will love this adorable little gem of a game. It has a fun Goosebumps/Halloweentown-esque style, and the designers put a lot of effort into making the intricacies of the game easy to understand via the games intro tutorial. There's a decent amount of replay value, too due to your being able to go back and replay missions with the new ghosts you've earned thus making it possible to complete missions in entirely new ways. It's too bad we won't be seeing a sequel any time soon because this game deserves to be expanded on.… Expand
  22. Cz3rw0ny
    Apr 5, 2021
    8
    This game was a lot of fun, I really enjoyed the fresh idea for gameplay and overall mechanics.
  23. Lelik_mc_kawai
    Mar 26, 2023
    10
    Игра которая вселяет страх! Outlast отдыхает
  24. JENOVAisMYmom
    Apr 12, 2020
    10
    It's funny, campy and has cool gameplay but first of all it's part of my child.
  25. FirstSpawn
    Apr 1, 2021
    8
    Одна из моих любимых игр! (Насколько я знаю не имеющая аналогов).
    Атмосфера, геймлпей (хоть управление могло бы быть и поудобнее) идеальные лично для меня.
    Игра сделанная с душой ♥
  26. kruci
    Dec 12, 2020
    10
    Rewelacyjna gra, niesamowicie unikalna - co niestety okazało sie jej największym problemem. Z powodu słabej sprzedaży nie zdecydowano sie na kontynuacje. A kiedy trafiła do tańszych reedycji i gazet i ludzie ją docenili. Było już zbyt późno.
  27. Tabbou
    Jan 25, 2022
    5
    Critique de la version Steam en 2022 :
    Le jeu avait l'air pas trop mal : idée originale, voix et textes en Français mais voilà,
    le curseur n'apparait même pas à l'écran, le jeu fait vieillot et il y a un problème d'affichage à chaque page de chargement, le tout rend le jeu injouable, pour moi en tout cas. Passez votre chemin donc, cela va sans dire pour un jeu de 2002 qui ne doit pas    Critique de la version Steam en 2022 :
    Le jeu avait l'air pas trop mal : idée originale, voix et textes en Français mais voilà,
    le curseur n'apparait même pas à l'écran, le jeu fait vieillot et il y a un problème d'affichage à chaque page de chargement, le tout rend le jeu injouable, pour moi en tout cas.
    Passez votre chemin donc, cela va sans dire pour un jeu de 2002 qui ne doit pas intéresser grand monde    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

47
#47 Best PC Game of 2003
40
#40 Most Discussed PC Game of 2003
98
#98 Most Shared PC Game of 2003

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
81

Generally favorable reviews - based on 28 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 28
  3. Negative: 0 out of 28
  1. GameZone
    90
    Another great feature of this game is the mission varieties to mix up the action and the open-ended style of gameplay throughout a few Acts.
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  2. Yahoo!
    80
    Sick Puppies' Ghost Master has turned the whole horror genre on its head, though, and come up with an ingenious anti-mix of "The Sims" and "Beetlejuice"... An original and entertaining idea that has been excellently implemented.
    Read full review
  3. Eurogamer
    70
    For all its ambition and the obvious effort put into creating a fun and somewhat original title, Ghost Master doesn't have a lot of life in it past the initial novelty of scaring the crap out of people.
    Read full review
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