Star Ghost

 Switch
Metascore
72

Mixed or average reviews - based on 6 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. NintendoWorldReport
    Jan 5, 2018
    80
    In true arcade fashion, the game is unforgiving: deplete your shields and your craft will blow up as a giant Game Over page appears. If you’ve saved up enough credits (quarters, anyone?) you can buy a new life, otherwise it’s all the way back to the first region. The only thing this game is seriously lacking is an online leaderboard so you can compare scores with your friends. Currently there is only the option to rank yourself against other users on the same Switch. Otherwise this is a gem of a game, perfect to play for a few minutes, but easy to play for longer as you try to get through as many levels as you possibly can.
  2. Nintendo Life
    Dec 4, 2017
    80
    While it’s probably said often, Star Ghost is a great fit for the Switch. Its pick up and play sensibilities and arcade roots fit perfectly on a system you can dip into at a moment’s notice. It has a learning curve that makes for a satisfying experience, where only having one control to deal with makes it feel as if you have all the control in the world. It is a bit one note, but what it lacks in variety it makes up in giving you a game you can sink all your efforts into; you only have to focus on the what’s in front of you. Not having an online or shared leaderboards is a miss for a title like this, but it doesn’t take away from the experience as a whole. Star Ghost is one of the most enjoyable - and turbulent - trips you can take through the stars.
  3. Nintendo Enthusiast
    Jan 8, 2018
    75
    Star Ghost is a game that I started to appreciate over time. During the first two hours, I became aggravated with the game’s on-rails approach, excruciating difficulty, and lack of checkpoints. All of that changed after its addictive nature made itself visible to me. 11 hours later and I’ve finding Star Ghost difficult to put down. The gameplay is engaging, the visuals are appealing, and just when I think that I’ve figured out the keys to success, the game throws me for a loop. I’m not sure how long it will take me to finally clear all 12 galaxies, but I know that I’ll be playing Star Ghost on my Switch for a long time. It’s an indie treat that will not only please fans of old-school video games, but also those who want a rewarding challenge.

User Reviews

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User Score
7.4

Mixed or average reviews- based on 7 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 7
  3. Negative: 1 out of 7
  1. JWIsenhour
    May 10, 2018
    8
    This game is awesome for what it is: simple, engaging, brutal, and addictive. Any more description wouldn't do the game justice, but it's aThis game is awesome for what it is: simple, engaging, brutal, and addictive. Any more description wouldn't do the game justice, but it's a one-button, randomly generated space shooter with permadeath. You won't be talking about it in five years, but you should definitely buy it if you can get it for a good price.… Full Review »
  2. ENERGONX
    Mar 14, 2018
    8
    This is game is flappy in the space .this game is very simple but so funny anda adictive for me.
  3. TheFlannelFox
    Nov 30, 2017
    7
    Did Asteroids and Flappy Bird have a baby?

    Star Ghost is a 2d side scrolling Shoot em’ up where you control your vertical position by    Did Asteroids and Flappy Bird have a baby?

    Star Ghost is a 2d side scrolling Shoot em’ up where you control your vertical position by thrusting up with the A button. While the shooting is on auto, you can use the left joystick to aim up or down, but honestly it barely alters the path of your projectiles so this feels like a one button game. Which is sort of insane that it has only come to Wii U and Switch, because it would be perfect for iOS or Android platforms.

    The levels are procedurally generated but stick to a similar pattern per level which allows you to learn the general characteristics of each world, but keeps it fresh for each playthrough. As you soar through space you’ll be aiming be placing yourself into the line of fire and trying to hover there by quickly thrusting to maintain your altitude. Which is a bit rough at the beginning but you quickly develop into a fine pilot as the one button works well with the game's level design.

    While dodging and shooting enemies you’ll also be seeking out pickups, because they make all the difference in Star Ghost. Health, bullet spread upgrades, increased fire rate pickups, if acquired in short succession can make you a force to be reckoned with. But pilot beware...These pickups are not permanent and run out on a timer at the bottom of the screen. Losing all of your upgrades can bump you back down to starting power, so be careful. Because like the arcade classics Star Ghost was inspired by, you start fresh from the beginning when you die, with only your place on the leader board as your trophy.

    As I kept blasting my way through hordes of alien adversaries, I kept feeling bogged down by the control scheme. With all these buttons on my Switch and so little of them being taken advantage of. Having the left joystick staring at me while using the A button to flap up and down, gave me the feeling of trying to run underwater. Under utilizing such a wonderful piece of hardware doesn’t make it feel great on the Switch, it feels like a mobile game that was ported over.

    Star Ghost is an enjoyable arcade shmup that has a solid but incredibly simple foundation. While the advanced shmup fans should give this one a pass, this would be a nice entry point for newcomers to the genre who are looking to give it another go.

    Be sure to watch my video review at YouTube channel TheFlannelFox    … Full Review »
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