Ghostbusters: The Video Game

 PC
User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 156 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 107 out of 156
  2. Mixed: 38 out of 156
  3. Negative: 11 out of 156
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  1. DevinS.
    Jun 19, 2009
    8
    Excellent game play .. very fun and a sure win for any ghost busters fan .. graphics are wonderful story line enjoyable and video clips are of outstanding. However... there is no multiplayer so no ghost busting co-op with friends and the story line is very linear. still worth a good play through everyone should enjoy this game.
  2. TobyD.
    Jun 19, 2009
    8
    You'll notice that the word 'fun' is used a lot in reviews of this game, and for good reason: they nailed that part. From the hilarious writing (the cut scene with the TV toward the end killed me), to the voices, to all the details and destruction you unleash upon it all...WOW. Definitely worth the wait. The bad points are so overshadowed by the good ones, they're You'll notice that the word 'fun' is used a lot in reviews of this game, and for good reason: they nailed that part. From the hilarious writing (the cut scene with the TV toward the end killed me), to the voices, to all the details and destruction you unleash upon it all...WOW. Definitely worth the wait. The bad points are so overshadowed by the good ones, they're almost not worth mentioning. But I will. ;) The ending felt rather hasty...or rough. Or rushed? Not sure. Something felt off, at the very least. Venkman's "love interest", Ilyssa Selwyn was utterly superfluous and her voice actress (Alyssa Milano, I believe) was uninspiring and felt out place. At least some sections of the game (sewers of the Lost Island, and large swaths of the Central Park Graveyard) were verging on being mind-numbingly uneventful. Again, thankfully, these things are relatively minor in the face of all that went right in a product from an industry where these things almost universally go south. Oh, and one additional thing I feel the need to bring up... These people who are marking the game down for not including the multiplayer of the console? Get over it. They didn't have the funds to get multiplayer going on the PC (so I read in an interview). Given the circumstances, they should be PRAISED for doing the right thing and bringing the price down instead of shafting us.… Expand
  3. JohnT.
    Jun 18, 2009
    10
    THose who loved the movie or cartoon in the 80's will find this game to be absolutely fantastic. If you are unfamiliar with the show in general it may not be your thing. The gameplay fantastic and the recreation and immersiveness is beyond anything I expected. This was well worth the wait.
  4. ComandanteCobra
    Sep 7, 2016
    8
    It is a great homage to Ghostbusters Fans:
    a) All of the actors in the films lent their voices for the game.
    b) Lots of references
    Gameplay is fun, action oriented, has variety of stages and good story. I liked it, it's only issue is that this game was not completely polished but it is an enjoiable experience.
    Gamepad recommended (and I usually prefer mouse + keyboard)
  5. birdman3
    Jan 22, 2013
    6
    The gameplay is great- wrangling ghosts and shooting particle beams is fun, but it gets old after some time. That, and the fact that the same music from the movie is rehashed on every level (it's fun the first three times or so, but then you get tired of it) are the only downsides. The voice acting is good, the humor is pretty solid, and it's definitely an all-around ghostbusters experience.
  6. SuperkenGaming
    Dec 15, 2016
    7
    Ghostbusters the Video Game
    Decent but dated.
    It’s so rare to find a licensed game actually worth playing through... and thankfully this is one of them. In Ghostbusters the video game you play as a nameless and voiceless recruit… Perfect opportunity to have a customizable character... but no... You’re just some generic dude that joins the ghostbusters squad. Your journey starts    Ghostbusters the Video Game
    Decent but dated.
    It’s so rare to find a licensed game actually worth playing through... and thankfully this is one of them.
    In Ghostbusters the video game you play as a nameless and voiceless recruit…
    Perfect opportunity to have a customizable character... but no... You’re just some generic dude that joins the ghostbusters squad.
    Your journey starts checking out a hotel and ends up in a chase to shut down this giant ghost portal by taking care of different points across Manhattan.
    This game is about 7 and a half hours long, and is varied and well-designed preventing repetitiveness to kick in…
    You’ll visit spooky libraries, different dimensions, and a graveyard just to name a few...
    But this game is from 2009 and it definitely shows with its grainy texture…
    It’s very hard on the eyes after being so used to the graphics and textures of modern day games 7 years later…
    The actual gameplay here is engaging enough to force your eyes to just deal with it…
    You have a proton pack and a scanner..
    As you progress through the story you’ll gain new abilities and modes for the proton pack which tie into level progression itself, like being able to make a slime tether to pull items, and you of course have attacks and ways to capture the ghosts you run into…
    To capture a ghost you have to weaken it, shoot out your capture stream and try to wiggle it into your ghost trap…
    There are also possessed creatures that you can just straight up kill and not have to capture.. which I found to be way more fun to deal with…
    The ghost capturing sections of the game for me were by far the worst…
    they take way too long to complete and bring the game to a crawl… they are spaced out more the deeper you get into the game, but are still an eye roll when they pop up…
    And with the scanner you can scan a ghost or enemy to learn its weakness so you know which mode to use... but it also rewards you with cash, as do the collectibles in the game, giving true incentive to capture stats and seek items out to upgrade your proton pack modes…
    And at the end of each spooky location is a pretty awesome boss battle.. all of which feel unique from each other, and the game does a great job of hyping them up with their story as your progress through the levels
    there wasn’t one I didn’t have fun trying to defeat or capture…
    most if not all being fan favorites as I’ve never really seen a ghostbusters movie.
    There is a game save bug here though so be cautious…
    I Turned my ps3 off right before the final 2 bosses and when I woke up in the morning the game wasn’t reading my save.. Thankfully it did after I reinstalled... but be warry of this glitch going in…
    And this games multiplayer is lost in time, it’s no longer works.
    Other than dated grainy textures, this is a really solid game worth checking out if you’re a ghostbusters fan.
    I give ghostbusters the video game
    a 7/10    … Expand
  7. WilliamR.
    Jun 20, 2009
    0
    It is a travesty and an insult to PC gamers everywhere that Atari and Terminal Reality would release a PC version of this game that does not support multiplayer, while they do support it on every other current gen system. It is a slap in the face and as a PC, PS3 and Wii owner, I will not be buying this game on ANY of the platforms, and I will be thinking long and hard before purchasing It is a travesty and an insult to PC gamers everywhere that Atari and Terminal Reality would release a PC version of this game that does not support multiplayer, while they do support it on every other current gen system. It is a slap in the face and as a PC, PS3 and Wii owner, I will not be buying this game on ANY of the platforms, and I will be thinking long and hard before purchasing any other games from Atari or TR.… Expand
  8. Rad
    Jun 18, 2009
    4
    For whatever it does right, PC gamers interested in Ghostbusters: The Video Game, got shafted. The multiplayer co-op that is in every other version of Ghostbusters [PS3, XBox, etc...] is disabled in this game. What's more? Game distributor Atari did not announce this change at all. They had advertised multiplayer co-op for months as a feature, and no one found out about the lack of For whatever it does right, PC gamers interested in Ghostbusters: The Video Game, got shafted. The multiplayer co-op that is in every other version of Ghostbusters [PS3, XBox, etc...] is disabled in this game. What's more? Game distributor Atari did not announce this change at all. They had advertised multiplayer co-op for months as a feature, and no one found out about the lack of it in the PC version until the game shipped. Though Atari lowered the price of the PC version, presumably as a form of compensation, they ultimately caused thousands of fans to cancel their pre-orders of the game. Atari's lack of warning on this issue assures an even greater wrath of fans worldwide and, of course, damning grades to Ghostbusters: The Video Game, regardless of its single-player virtues.… Expand
  9. Picklock
    Nov 14, 2010
    3
    Kinda cheap on the publisher to not have multiplayer in the PC release. It is a cool game otherwise, funny plot, good graphics, and great voice acting from the kings of ghostbusting themselves. That is, if your computer can actually play the game. If you visit the official forums you will see horror stories of gamers that have never been able to get past the loading screen because it willKinda cheap on the publisher to not have multiplayer in the PC release. It is a cool game otherwise, funny plot, good graphics, and great voice acting from the kings of ghostbusting themselves. That is, if your computer can actually play the game. If you visit the official forums you will see horror stories of gamers that have never been able to get past the loading screen because it will crash their rig, among other things. Worst of all is that there is no support for the PC game as a patch hasn't been released yet, and this game is nearly a year and a half old. With these kinds of gameblocking bugs and no show of support from the publisher or devs, one can only say that this game is nothing but a bargain bin item.… Expand
  10. S3XU4LH34L1NG
    Sep 4, 2021
    6
    A decent and short experience. It's very much cheese Ghostbusters comedy in which you play a new voiceless recruit. It's Ok but nothing sprcial.
  11. EricB.
    Jun 20, 2009
    5
    Terrible gameplay, repetitive and simplistic. Good graphics and ok sound don't help the bad story, bad humor and boring experience. If you're a die hard GB fan, go ahead, but I never really was that big of a fan.. not enough to warrant this tragedy.
  12. DavidO
    Oct 2, 2009
    10
    Great game and great game play. Really had a a lot of fun playing the game from start to finish. Worth every penny
  13. Benoit
    Jun 18, 2009
    8
    The game became a great way to get back in time. I loved the original soundtrack, the complet team, the spirit of Ghostbuster is in there for sure! But the game isn't anought deep. Whit the googd time i'll give a 8/10 anyway.
  14. TimB
    Jun 21, 2009
    9
    I am really enjoying playing Ghostbusters. The game starts slow IMO but the story is top notch and the graphics and physics make for some great action.The trapping ghosts and flinging objects around is awesome. lots of upgrades and gadgets, the "hot and cold" PKA meater works well to help the player through the levels. Probably the best movie game of all time, the one to break the mold.
  15. AnonymousMC
    Jun 20, 2009
    9
    Although i think multiplayer should be implemented, at least in the future if anything. This game stays true to the movies and as a big fan i am very satisfied with the experience. It's like a Ghosbusters 2.5. So awesome, and great job Atari on not ruining a movie to videogame, game.
  16. MkkeKelley
    Jul 15, 2009
    10
    As a long time fan of the movie who even wrote his own Comodor 64 (Basic) version of the movie this game entertained me on all levels. Many have decried the lack of multiplayer or co-op mode on PC. I didn't mind at all. I thought it was well scripted, well animatedm abd the gameplay flowed smoothly. I'm just grateful it was released for the PC at all since I won't go near aAs a long time fan of the movie who even wrote his own Comodor 64 (Basic) version of the movie this game entertained me on all levels. Many have decried the lack of multiplayer or co-op mode on PC. I didn't mind at all. I thought it was well scripted, well animatedm abd the gameplay flowed smoothly. I'm just grateful it was released for the PC at all since I won't go near a console.… Expand
  17. DeborahB
    Jul 9, 2009
    10
    My husband, two boys, and myself have found this to be terrific from the voices of the real actors, to the graphics, storyline, its just refreshing that a video game, got EVERYONE, I mean every actor, together from the Ghostbuster's movies, to do a game like this. The graphics, for a first time run game, and only 1 or two bugs.... terrific game for all!!!
  18. jamie
    Sep 5, 2009
    5
    Ghostbusters LOOKS like a great game. But I'll never know - because it keeps crashing to desktop. At first it wouldn't run at at all past the intro screen without lowering the resolution to 800x600. Then it would run until I tried to exit the first room - when it crashed again. After reloading I got past that, then the first time I tried to use my gun - crashed again with gun Ghostbusters LOOKS like a great game. But I'll never know - because it keeps crashing to desktop. At first it wouldn't run at at all past the intro screen without lowering the resolution to 800x600. Then it would run until I tried to exit the first room - when it crashed again. After reloading I got past that, then the first time I tried to use my gun - crashed again with gun sound looping. I'm really disappointed, as I'm old enough to have seen GB when it first came out, and I really liked the look of this game - but as it is, it's unplayable. Note that I don't have a top-of-the-line system, but it IS decent, 4 gig ram, XP SP3, dual core e6650, 250gb sata drive, ati hd3850. My setup handles every other game out there so I'm pretty sure it's the game that's the problem. Very poor quality control, as MANY other users have complained about glitches too. Even a five is generous because until it's patched it's unplayable.… Expand
  19. [anonymous]
    Dec 7, 2009
    9
    Anyone Who hates this game is stupid and must not be allowed to comment on any other game ever again. Ghostbusters Rock hard!
  20. MarkL.
    Jun 17, 2009
    5
    The graphics and game play is really great, but the lack of ANY multi-player or downloadable content is ridiculous. On top of those major deficits, you are required to have an active internet connection to activate the game initially. So in short, don't get the PC port of this game and stick to the console versions. The price cut does not out-weigh its lack of multi-player The graphics and game play is really great, but the lack of ANY multi-player or downloadable content is ridiculous. On top of those major deficits, you are required to have an active internet connection to activate the game initially. So in short, don't get the PC port of this game and stick to the console versions. The price cut does not out-weigh its lack of multi-player functionality or downloadable content.… Expand
  21. HectorM
    Jun 19, 2009
    9
    This game is a champ in my book. As soon as I finished it, I was ready to play it all over again. The pacing is beautiful -- plenty of action, but enough down time between battles to explore and appreciate the levels, which I feel are some of the most amazingly crafted and well polished in any game to date. Visual and audio effects are spot-on in every detail, and music, although somewhat This game is a champ in my book. As soon as I finished it, I was ready to play it all over again. The pacing is beautiful -- plenty of action, but enough down time between battles to explore and appreciate the levels, which I feel are some of the most amazingly crafted and well polished in any game to date. Visual and audio effects are spot-on in every detail, and music, although somewhat repetitive, is very well implemented. Naturally, most of the music comes right out of the original soundtrack, but if you listen closely I believe there are a few new arrangements in there to keep things from getting too stale. Best of all, the writing is solid and very much consistent with the spirit of the movies such that this could easily have been Ghostbusters 3 -- something Dan Akroyd and Harold Ramis were actually hoping to achieve in this game according to press releases. Granted, the story is designed in such a way that you get to "relive" a lot of the classic moments from the original films, so there may be some degree of creativity lacking, but on the other hand I think it's perfectly legitimate since that's what most fans of Ghostbusters have been craving since 1984. As for the comedic value of the writing, the style of humor may not be to everyone's taste (i.e., if you didn't find the original movies funny then don't expect to be blown away here either), but personally I found myself laughing out loud on more than one ocassion at some of the dialogue/one-liners, paricularly from Bill Murray. Kudos especially to all members of the cast for the exceptional voice acting -- I was very pleased to discover that time has not faded their ability to bring these beloved characters back to life. Even though in reality the actors are all much older, suprisingly, you can't really detect that too much in the sound of their voices. To my ears they all still sounded very much youthful. Combine that with rest of the presentation of this game, and it just adds to that illusion that absolutely no time has passed between the end of the last film and now. It's amazing actually how playing this game can make you feel like you've gone into some kind of time warp -- the continuity between the movies and this game is damn near seamless. To sum up -- this is a fantastic game and a must buy for any die-hard Ghostbusters fan. If you're like me and all you've ever wanted to do since you saw the first movie was strap on a Proton Pack and kick some serious ghost butt, then this game will surely not disappoint you (just make sure you've got the system specs to handle it!).… Expand
  22. CareyD.
    Jun 20, 2009
    7
    The single player career was obviously the focus of this game. It seems as though multiplayer was an afterthought. The single player plays like a movie which is great. It takes you right back in time and is true to the world that was created. The upgrades and new technology are fun to get but almost too easily spoon fed to you. A little more freedom such as a spoke and hub type of system The single player career was obviously the focus of this game. It seems as though multiplayer was an afterthought. The single player plays like a movie which is great. It takes you right back in time and is true to the world that was created. The upgrades and new technology are fun to get but almost too easily spoon fed to you. A little more freedom such as a spoke and hub type of system would have added much more interesting gameplay and challenge much like the NES version. I really wish that we could experience this world with 3 other friends cooperatively. The only multiplayer mode I found interesting was the survival mode. The other modes are just ok. Really the multiplayer is a pretty big disappointment to me. Overall, the single player makes this game worth the money. I guess we can hope for updates and downloadable content? Ok, perhaps we better pray.… Expand
  23. DanielS.
    Jun 25, 2009
    9
    What it lacks is Multilayer, but it makes up for it an an amazing story Line. Probably One of if not the best 3rd person game i have ever played.
  24. Aaron
    Jul 9, 2009
    10
    Face it, its an old classic reborn, and the game with its first run, it terrific for all us older players! Improvements sure, but can not be perfect in the first launch now can we, or where could the game build to. Great storyline, terrific REAL voices of all original Ghostbuster's!! This game is fun as heck and only one like it and very fun!
  25. firunfrozen
    Dec 31, 2009
    9
    Very good Game for Ghostbuster Fan's. The Grafic is good and the Sound fantastic, the hole Game is like a Movie with very funny parts.
  26. PatrickB
    Dec 31, 2009
    8
    Very good game, but it is a little bit short
  27. DerekW.
    Jun 17, 2009
    10
    It's fun, amazing graphics.. gameplay and plot.. interesting how it takes place 5 yrs later after Ghostbusters 2. I wish it was a little longer and i wish we had mutiplayer and i wish we had the grey jumpsuits :( but get it! It's FUN! Bust some ghosts.. if you roam the headquarters check everything u'd be surprised what u find.. i found an ghostbusters code inside the It's fun, amazing graphics.. gameplay and plot.. interesting how it takes place 5 yrs later after Ghostbusters 2. I wish it was a little longer and i wish we had mutiplayer and i wish we had the grey jumpsuits :( but get it! It's FUN! Bust some ghosts.. if you roam the headquarters check everything u'd be surprised what u find.. i found an ghostbusters code inside the files.. there has to be a way to unlock the suits via codes.. they are in pc version codes.. dunno how to enable it.… Expand
  28. StudleyH
    Jun 18, 2009
    5
    BEWARE: THE PC VERSION DOES NOT HAVE CO-OP. Don't know why they dropped it for PC but they did. Rent it for your console instead. Game is a blast with friends.
  29. the_reverend
    Nov 14, 2010
    10
    This is what a real action adventure is all about.. you can get yourself immerse in the story easily due to the excellent production in graphics, sounds, effects, animations, life like scenario/buildings, movie like story direction, incredible creative ghosts and weapons, kinetix ai, etc.. Intensive care was given to make it feel like a funny - trilling - mystical experience and with anThis is what a real action adventure is all about.. you can get yourself immerse in the story easily due to the excellent production in graphics, sounds, effects, animations, life like scenario/buildings, movie like story direction, incredible creative ghosts and weapons, kinetix ai, etc.. Intensive care was given to make it feel like a funny - trilling - mystical experience and with an awesome replay value. I would also say that the game was made for 2012 computers (when the movie is supposed to be released), because It kind of gets slow in my 2008 - 24inch iMac.. And this was with low level detail settings.
    When I purchase my next upgrade I will definitely play it again with high detail.

    Also It took me a little bit to get hooked when I played it the first time, but Its worth it.    … Expand
  30. RsinX
    Jun 26, 2011
    6
    Well, to be all honest, I'll choose the original movie over the pc game... Don't get me wrong the game isn't that bad, but there are downsides.... >>>1st: the controls are 'sticky' and it's not easy to control the character. Running seems difficult because you just can't turn quick enough. Also, you can't custom set mouse buttons for 'Jump', etc... >>>2nd: I think having it in 1st personWell, to be all honest, I'll choose the original movie over the pc game... Don't get me wrong the game isn't that bad, but there are downsides.... >>>1st: the controls are 'sticky' and it's not easy to control the character. Running seems difficult because you just can't turn quick enough. Also, you can't custom set mouse buttons for 'Jump', etc... >>>2nd: I think having it in 1st person view instead of 3rd person view would have fit this game better. When it's in 3rd person you have to see yourself and it blocks the view, it's an unnecessary obstruction, and 3rd person decreases performance since the PC has to render the character data along with everything else.... >>>3rd: The game is a bit heavy on my hardware and it made my 9600 GT vCard too hot and caused a shutdown, so far just one time it happened. However, overall performance plays and appears OK (avg 42fps).. OVERALL it's a neat and fun game, but just not one of my favorites..… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

82
#82 Best PC Game of 2009
45
#45 Most Discussed PC Game of 2009
98
#98 Most Shared PC Game of 2009

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
74

Mixed or average reviews - based on 26 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 26
  3. Negative: 0 out of 26
  1. Cheat Code Central
    78
    Ghostbusters: The Video Game largely accomplishes what it set out to do by telling a humorous tale and bringing fans back into the fold on the franchise's 25th anniversary.
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  2. Game Revolution
    83
    There are some flaws, including the lack of a local co-op mode, however there is just so much that was done right that you can't help but have a blast. It may not be everything you ever wanted out of a Ghostbusters game, but it's as close as you're going to get to perfection at this point.
    Read full review
  3. IGN
    76
    I felt that the game's ending was a bit flat and the romantic interest was forced, but Ghostbusters was fun -- too bad you don't get the multiplayer action the home consoles do.
    Read full review
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