Ghostbusters: The Video Game
Platform
PS3, 360
Developer
Atari
Publisher
Terminal Reality
Length
5 - 10hrs
Score
Upon discovering that Ghostbusters 3 is slated for 2012, my initial cynicism that this game was a pre-emptive cash-in subsided. Sure, it's still a cash-in (albeit a delayed one), however what this game really represents is a chance for the creators to get their Ghostbusting mojo flowing before the cool come to the party. As a fortunate consequence, it possesses one of those all so rare things in gaming; a storyline. So it's mostly just a rehash of the films, but at least they're working with some top quality material. However, it doesn't flow like a film. Being forced to stand idly around whilst Bill Murray delivers another zinger about a fat chick gets old fast.

The pace is helped by a distinct lack of any large load times, that is until you die, at which point you're rewarded with a lengthy wait. When the game is finally done showing you the same loading video for the umpteenth time, you're then often forced to replay through the same, not-so-funny-the-second-time dialogue before you actually get back into the action. Whilst we're on the topic of dying, you'll be doing it a lot if you choose to play this game on hard. Surprisingly enough, when you're chucked into an open space and made to perform some three-step ghost-capturing procedure on half a dozen ghosts, most of whom are behind you, whilst simultaneously trying to dodge career-ending debris, vent your continually overheating proton pack and resuscitate your mentally challenged allies, you'll probably find yourself buying the farm quite frequently at times. Now, I'm not adverse to dying in a game, it's just that thanks to the aforementioned issues, it doesn't take long before you're wanting to punch someone square in the face.

The gameplay isn't much to talk of either. In general, it's repetitive and pretty lacklustre. As a result, you probably won't be coming back to this game for that reason, however if you're a Ghostbusters fan, you probably will for the story. Sure, it's not exactly A-grade, but hearing the original cast again definitely gives this game some charm.