Ghosthunter

The graphics are just shy of amazing, and the level designs are solid and believable. [Sept 2004, p.20]

Graphics whores or anyone with a penchant for experiencing truly surreal and wildly imaginative creations would do well to put this on their buy list.

The ten hour campaign and relatively repetitive gameplay keep it from being a true gem.

A solid action title with just enough creepiness to set the mood. It also isn’t much of a challenge, so players looking to beat their controllers against the wall in frustration need to look elsewhere.

Workable but straightforward action marred only by some annoying puzzles isn't a bad thing. When you take that, combine it with likable characters, an interesting and ridiculous plotline, and some of the best visuals around, you get something that's great.

You’ll most likely complete Ghosthunter in only a few short sittings, but between the impressive visuals, multi-faceted gameplay, and solid combat dynamics, chances are you’ll have fun the entire time.

An atmospheric funhouse of fascinating spooks who come alive with movement and artistry. [Sept 2004, p.70]

If you are looking for serious scares there are better games for the job, and hardcore survival horror buffs will likely find the gameplay a bit too light for their tastes, but anyone looking for a stunning visual experience with entertaining characters, an interesting storyline, and an overall creepy atmosphere will find plenty to enjoy with Ghosthunter.

A mightily impressive action/adventure title, that features excellent presentation to draw the player in and strong game fundamentals to ensure frustration remains at a low.

Through its impressive graphics engine, excellent use of voice talent, and well-told storyline, Ghosthunter is a game that should absolutely be played by anyone who enjoys a good, creepy action romp.

A linear action game that certainly brings style in spades, but has a series of flaws that prevent it from being a truly great game.

Almost everything about Ghosthunter is great, from the amazing visuals, genuinely creepy sound, and decent story. All it needed was a little bit more behind the gameplay.

It delivers a coherent experience that mixes horror and humor very effectively, and does so with some beautiful environments.

Progressive Scan support makes the graphics pop off the screens of compatible TVs.

Stalking around the environments can be genuinely creepy at times, but the game hardly offers the sort of frights delivered by, say, Silent Hill 4. With somewhat repetitive gameplay and the fact that I had a hard time actually caring about the story, Ghosthunter is one to rent for the weekend and have a little fun.

Doesn't feel like the game it could have been, torpedoed as it is by some dodgy controls and the basic lameness that is your lead character.

Move over "Silent Hill" and "Resident Evil," there's a new kid on the block - and they supplied me with a spare set of boxers too. It's really that horrifying.

7 / 7 / 8 / 7 - 29 [Vol 821]

The graphics are definitely of SCEE’s highest caliber, but the unbalanced gameplay drags on forever before actually feeling like you accomplished something.

As far as gameplay is concerned, Ghosthunter is obviously flawed (although it's by no means unplayable). However, as an experience, Ghosthunter is quite accomplished – it does a great job of developing its characters and it's genuinely spooky on more than one occasion.

It's a middle of the road 3rd person shooter lost in a rather large genre. It has some small control and camera issues, but those can be overcome. But I can't overcome the feeling of disinterest I have playing the game.

Most of its challenge comes from scenarios that don't require you to have mastered its individual rules and quirks, but which exploit large and obvious holes in the controls.

This odd mixture of survival horror, atmospheric visuals, brain-dead puzzles and action clichés manages to come together despite itself, creating a PS2 exclusive that delivers more than the sum of its disparate parts.

The real selling point is Ghosthunter's presentation, and the graphics, script, music, and acting are all first-rate. [Sept 2004, p.96]

Even with the seeming laundry list of complaints I have about this game, I still kind of enjoyed it. There's a certain sense of accomplishment that comes from solving the tougher puzzles.

When not having "almost fun" by busting ghosts (see boxout) we're left wondering what the game wants. Gallons of paint and polish can't disguise the fact that the heart of Ghosthunter is very old.

The most painful and obvious flaw is the camera. It hangs up on walls, drifts inside your character, and is otherwise difficult to handle. [Sept 2004, p.109]

The game's central silliness charmed me. Were the game exactly the same in every respect except for the ghosts, and I was playing some kind of a futurecop battling crooks in jetpacks, the game would have been a five—just good enough.

It's your standard third-person action-adventure game, sans cool gameplay hook, distinctive protagonist, or over-the-top concept. [Sept 2004, p.102]

We walked away from this one wishing that there had been a lot more gameplay to complement the cool graphics and atmosphere.

Ghosthunter's main flaw is that it fails to develop a cohesive and believable internal logic; abilities like astral projection are accessible only at specific locations and only useful in highly contrived situations. [Sept 2004, p.85]

While it looks beautiful, and often immerses the player in a very effective way, some of the repetitive fighting sections really undermine the considerable work that has obviously gone into this game. I only wish that the controls had been tightened enough to create a more functional game.

It pushes the PS2's hardware to incredible limits as it creates very atmospheric environments using amazing graphics and sound; however, Ghosthunter also features poorly conceived puzzles and level design that make for some frustrating moments.

It just lacks some of the special elements that other Survival Horror and Action Adventure games have that make the game immensely fun, and therefore you won’t pick this over "Resident Evil or "Silent Hill."

If you're the kind of gamer that enjoys immersive, atmospheric graphics and a surreal world to explore, then you might well find the patience to plough through Ghosthunter's many faults.

Players expecting a cerebral horror that gets under the skin and with plenty of frights (a la Silent Hill) will be sorely disappointed. Ghosthunter's roots are firmly action-based, with its graphics, plot and overall presentation providing an enjoyable one-off gaming experience with little replay value.

It's passable at best, and surpassed by The Suffering in nearly every aspect. Sadly, Sony had the right idea in not bringing this title to the U.S., as it simply brings nothing new to the table.

Ghosthunter is from the same studio that brought us "Primal," and it shows. With so many adventure games on the market, this is an interesting, but ultimately staid example. Like "Primal," Ghosthunter struggles to be fun. [Jan 2004, p.101]

Throw in lukewarm A.I. and some clipping problems, and you've got a scary, pretty game that's just not a whole lot of fun to play. [Sept 2004, p.96]

While Ghosthunter sets up a freaky scene, it never does much to distinguish itself from your average action game. There are no big scares and only mildly interesting action.

The ghost gameplay is fine up until the wild camera and sometimes desolate gameplay pop up.

It's almost as though the team forgot that games are meant to be fun, because Ghosthunter isn't. Quite simply, you can't do anything (honestly, anything) or go anywhere the game doesn't want you to; it's almost an insult to your intelligence. [Christmas 2003, p.112]