GHOSTBUSTERS: THE VIDEO GAME REMASTERED / DEVELOPER: SABRE INTERACTIVE / PUBLISHER: MAD DOG GAMES / PLATFORM: PC, PS4, SWITCH, XBOX ONE (REVIEWED) / RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW
Ghostbusters has been one of the most beloved and revered entertainment franchises since the release of the first movie all the way back in 1984. Although numerous videogames based on the films have been released over the years, it wasn’t until Terminal Reality’s Ghostbusters adventure hit store shelves in 2009 that fans of the spoopy franchise had a game that truly felt like a representation of the timeless movies. Now, some ten years later, we’re being treated by the nice folks at Saber Interactive to a remastered version for current-gen consoles, but does it still hold up? Well let’s strap on our Proton Packs and find out, shall we?
The project started out as a script written by Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis for a third Ghostbusters movie, but was eventually developed and transitioned into the blueprint for Terminal Reality’s title. This is why many fans credit the game with being the real third instalment in the movie franchise. Truth be told, G:TVG may be one of the most authentic licensed games ever made. All the actors from the original movies lend their voice talents and the level of detail in bringing the feel and look of the franchise to life is at times staggering. The humour, dialogue, music cues, lighting and even pacing are absolutely on point here, and the story is thoroughly gripping and engaging throughout.
Gameplay wise, G:TVG still definitely holds up, but it can occasionally be a little clunky when compared to current-gen third person action games. That’s not to say gameplay is ever a chore – the mechanic of catching and trapping ghosts remains satisfying, and controls are accurate and robust. The only area where the game is somewhat lacking is in the graphical fidelity stakes. While some of the textures and character models have seen a significant improvement, others look a little disappointing (particularly when compared to some of the other recent remasters we’ve seen). In reality, G:TVG is a strong enough title that it doesn’t need to rely on AAA-standard graphics, but if you’re expecting a full Capcom-level remaster, you may be slightly disappointed. That being said, if you’re a fan of the movies (or you just missed out first time round), this really is a no brainer and a must buy.
