The Ghostbusters are back in action! Okay, not them, but their heirs. In asymmetric multiplayer Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed has one player as ghost and four others as fighters. What kind of news can the familiar format offer us in the setting of one of our favorite children’s films?
First of all – a new take on the gameplay of asymmetric shooters. This time no one is running away from anyone, but on the contrary. The hunters will have to exorcise the ghost by destroying all the portals and capturing the evil spirits; and the mind, in turn, must have time to fill the shell of fear, frighten passers-by and “capture” different rooms. There are also prop-hunt elements – a ghost can inhabit objects, as well as teleport, fly through walls and summon its own kind.

At the same time, the game is a logical sequel to the original series of films, which means that we will meet familiar characters, equipment, locations and many references to events from the past. So what have we learned about the fate of this universe from Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed?
Are you familiar with the Ghostbusters universe?
A lot has happened in forty years
Despite the past forty years (that’s how much time has passed according to the plot of the game), the famous depot still stands, and the main characters of the films have become mentors for a new generation of fighters.
Ray Stentz, for example, has continued to explore the spirit world, running Ray’s Occult Books right across from the fire station. We’ll be looking at it more than once throughout the game.

Winston, having made some competent investments, managed to build an entire business empire. However, he still dreamed of returning to the abode of the fighters and did so at the first opportunity, becoming the main source of funding for the organization.
And we will still see the consequences of Peter Venkman’s careless actions in the story, as well as with references to Egon Spangler.

There are also new heroes. In addition to the players themselves, Katt and Eddie found shelter in the depot. The former takes care of the organization and trains the recruits, while Eddie is the typical genius scientist who builds all kinds of paranormal things, constantly researches something and prepares equipment for the player.
There’s a lot more to the fire station than we thought.
In Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed, the fire station is much more important than in the movie series. Here the heroes can change their gear and appearance, take part-time jobs and touch the wisdom of the older generations through dialogues and reference books.
At the same time, all well-known locations such as a ghost store, slot machines and lockers for clothes are present. Admittedly, the signboard of the hunters themselves, which previously hung over the gate, now crawls under a blanket in the basement. Adapted to the new era, the entourage of this place tries to exactly repeat the appearance from the film.
Of course there are also new locations. Ray’s same bookstore does a great job with the mystical atmosphere, while Eddie’s lab on the second floor speaks volumes about his passion for invention.
Getting into the ranks of fighters is not so easy.
To earn the favor of New York’s saviors and join their ranks, you have to go through at least a few dozen missions, and make a lot of mistakes and of course correct them.

While the plot in Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed is a secondary thing, the events that take place complement the game’s lore well and allow you to learn about many aspects of working as a ghost hunter.
Catching ghosts is a whole science
It turns out that simply picking up a neutron transmitter and holding the trigger isn’t an option. Hunters’ weapons are as dangerous as their jobs. It is necessary to monitor the heating of the elements, refill traps in time and improve equipment. Otherwise you can’t keep up with the ghosts.

The whole process of catching a ghost is quite simple: shoot, throw a “lasso” (lasso) at the evil spirits, an ally throws a trap to the ground, and you, gritting your teeth, push a piece of ectoplasm inside. In reality, things often get out of hand – the trap flies by, the ghost manages to escape captivity and fly away, and the weapon overheats.
To avoid this, you’ll need to upgrade the gear (and there are quite a few options for “body kits”), discover new gadgets like a slowing grenade or an ectoplasm detector, and skillfully distribute the roles so you don’t just hold a ghost at the right time. the “lasso”, but really catch it.

The movie was somehow simpler, right?
Hunters can be scared too
Despite the fact that Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed isn’t particularly scary, it’s considered a family game, everyone is scared here – bystanders, fighters and even the ghost itself. The latter, of course, does not show it, but always cheerfully drapes away from the deadly rays to hell.

One of the mechanisms of the project is the fear system. With a strong fright, the fighter begins to see and hear… everything, and when he panics, he loses the opportunity to calm others and becomes an easy target for a ghost with his ectosight. To avoid this, you need to stick together – teamwork helps to keep the mind clear and not succumb to fear.
Of course, the movies didn’t talk about it. But you have to admit it’s hard to keep your concentration when an alien entity splashes with slime and yells at you?
Father of Psychic Science – John Horace Tobin
…and he’s a rather cloudy type.
According to the story, John Horace Tobin’s original perfume guide enters Ray’s antique shop through a detour. This book combines several functions at once: it becomes a “portal” to the world of ghosts, allowing you to play as a ghost, it is a guide for beginners and it also plays an important role in the plot.
Before that, the world of ghosts was only shown to us in obscure visions of movie characters (and some series of The Real Ghostbusters and Extreme Ghostbusters animated series), and even less is known about who is the guide and guardian of the gates between the worlds.

Who this Tobin is is not known for sure, but he clearly has a lot of power and extensive mystical knowledge. In any case, he has revived himself in the book and speaks calmly to the living and the dead. This already speaks volumes about his “ability”. What role he will play in the future plot is still unknown.
Ghosts have a hard time
Feeling the skill of real ghost hunters in your own skin is an amazing experience. Spirits are powerful. They are capable of making you shiver, bind with slime, stun, suddenly appear from the wall and destroy everything around it. But they are creatures from another world, terribly vulnerable to the power of science.

And therefore, as soon as you see the cherished form, you have to be on your heels – psychokinetic energy is not infinite, which means that for a long time you cannot maneuver through the rooms at lightning speed. You have to hide the portals, confuse the tracks, teleport and hide until they are discovered.
You can go into battle and even come out victorious, but you won’t win thanks to bullying fighters – conquering rooms and intimidating strangers is still a priority. Therefore, more than once or twice, you have to choose between the main task and the protection of portals that can be saved in case you fall into the trap.
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Perhaps the most significant achievement of Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed is precisely the atmosphere of those same “Ghostbusters” that many fans followed in their youth. Not frightening, but keeps you in suspense and excitement, makes you feel on both sides of the barricades and lulls you to sleep with a pleasant mystical melody.
Do you like the atmosphere of mysticism and paranormalism?
All screenshots from Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed can be viewed here.
What do you think of famous franchise projects?
Source: VG Times