Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex

 PSP
  • Publisher: Bandai
  • Release Date: Oct 26, 2005
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 20 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 20
  3. Negative: 3 out of 20
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  1. Mattiator
    May 21, 2015
    6
    A shooter with plenty of unique ideas, but it stumbles in the execution and due to platform limitations. There are multiple playable characters with unique stats and dialog, a huge bevy of weapons from twin pistols and SMGs up to machineguns and anti-material rifles. The real star of the show here, though, are the Tachikoma robots that accompany you into almost all levels. Effectively aA shooter with plenty of unique ideas, but it stumbles in the execution and due to platform limitations. There are multiple playable characters with unique stats and dialog, a huge bevy of weapons from twin pistols and SMGs up to machineguns and anti-material rifles. The real star of the show here, though, are the Tachikoma robots that accompany you into almost all levels. Effectively a customizable, heavily-armored and armed guard dog with the personality of a curious puppy, the Tachikoma will follow you through levels taking on enemies, and can be given commands (order it to traverse an area hunting enemies, hold fire, guard an area, or just have it stick to you like glue and obliterate everything that tries to attack you). Or, if you're finding an enemy gauntlet tricky, just hop inside with the touch of a button and mow down everything from safety inside the cockpit. You can also go invisible once per level and sneak past enemies for a brief time, even in the robot! Useful for sneak attacks and hostage rescues. With all this potential depth, it's a shame that most of the levels are small, simple run-and-guns with little room for actual strategizing, probably due to the limited power of the handheld. This also probably explains the load times after every few minutes of gameplay. Controls are also a potential problem, with the analog stick being unavailable for aiming which would have made precise gunplay much more viable. Even with a quick lock-on button to make targetting easier, you'll find that the rapid-fire weapons are far more useful than pretty much everything else. By the end of the game I was just taking three of the biggest machinegun into every mission and gunning down everything with little trouble. The story's not up to the TV show's levels, but it does the job. Music also is a good blend of techno, heck, there's even a vocal song in there. Tracks tend to get re-used between levels, but they're good enough and the game's short, so it isn't much of an issue. Graphically, the game isn't a stunner, but everything's clear and looks the part of the show it's based on. Overall, while it isn't the criminally overlooked masterpiece the user reviews might have you believe, for cheap it's definitely worth a shot, especially for fans of the show.… Expand
  2. VLG
    Aug 23, 2023
    7
    Due to the lack of a second analog stick, the original PSP just could not handle FPS. I played this out of curiosity, because i really like the show and... its fine. Its more interesting than most games i played for the console.

Awards & Rankings

62
#62 Best PSP Game of 2005
45
#45 Most Discussed PSP Game of 2005
22
#22 Most Shared PSP Game of 2005

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
61

Mixed or average reviews - based on 23 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 19 out of 23
  3. Negative: 1 out of 23
  1. Play Magazine
    85
    Precise aiming on the run is a little dicey on the PSP, and the loading times can be extraneous, but it's a small price to pay to get Motoko and company into your mobile unit. [Oct 2005]
  2. IGN
    62
    The gameplay isn't smart, the customizing RPG elements aren't very complex, and the story isn't presented with the kind of flair that Shirow Masamune's manga has inspired in film, on TV, or even in previous videogames.
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  3. Official U.S. Playstation Magazine
    70
    Holy Crap! Someone actually made an FPS game on teh PSP work. [Dec 2005, p.139]
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »