Review – Ghostbusters: The Video Game Remastered

Now, I am an ’80s baby. I was born the year before the decade began and have some of the fondest memories regarding the Ghostbusters, Transformers, G.I. Joe, Thundercats and so on. I was lucky enough to have grown up during one of the best ages of movies, comic books and Saturday Morning Cartoons (most of what comes out now is trash). Today though we are focusing on my paranormal heroes, the Ghostbusters. Thanks to developer Saber Interactive, they have a fantastic return to current generation hardware with Ghostbusters: The Video Game Remastered. I, of course, played the original release on my Xbox 360 a little over ten years ago and loved every minute of it. My nostalgia has grown so much for the series that I recently hunted down a Wii version of the game that I need to play once I 100 percent the Xbox One version. Yes, I’m going for all the drinking fountains again!

A Story True to its Movie Roots

The game is basically the third movie in the series. Having been written by Ghostbusters creators Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis, you can see the love put into the script for the game. This was never some licensed cash grab. In the first scene of the game you’re told that the year is 1991, and that the New York Natural History museum is having a Gozer the Gozarian exhibit. Having all those haunted items in one place must have activated something, because as the Ghostbusters begin training a Rookie, a huge shockwave hits the fire station and breaks the containment unit barrier.

Since you’re the Rookie, you have to use all the experimental equipment that may kill a proper Ghostbuster. Thankfully Egon knows what he’s doing, and you continue to live. The story then pretty much runs us through all the big milestones in the movies. You have to return to the hotel and recapture Slimer while destroying another huge party–and of course, face the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man. The creative team ties all these incredible action set pieces together with amazing dialogue and perfect jokes. The original cast really cared about how this game came out, and it shows.

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While it isn’t as detailed as Uncharted 4 or God of War, the game and its actors look great. I’m sure if Mom walked in during a cutscene, she would think I was watching the movie. The facial animations do get a bit cartoony at times, but it is so perfect for this franchise.

Proton Packs look awesome, the interior of the fire station looks cool, and there are wonderful Easter Eggs all over the place. I won’t spoil them for you, but don’t leave the fire station too quickly. Look around and enjoy your time there. Every locale you visit is accurate to the movie and filled with goodies to find. I actually loved sightseeing more than capturing ghosts.

Good Controls for an Average Avatar

Oddly enough, the controls aren’t as difficult as one would imagine for using a Proton Pack and all the goodies Egon creates. Hunting ghosts is a pretty smooth process, and the same goes for running away for a quick escape and getting new upgrades. You can even scan and collect cursed items.

One thing I didn’t really like was the fact that the Rookie you play as is one of the most basic characters I’ve ever seen created. You’re a middle-aged, brown-haired dude that somehow got an interview with the Ghostbusters. I would have rather been able to create myself in the game, but I’m sure no one wanted to program that into all the cutscenes.

A Ghostly Gift for Fans

I LOVE this game. I loved it ten years ago when I first fired it up. Replaying it with prettier graphics and with a pretty clean slate feels like I get to experience it all over again. I am a bit sad that they took the multiplayer out, because that was fun with friends long ago. But for a budget price, this is totally worth it. If you are a fan of the movies, the cartoon, the older games or the ’80s, this game is a must-have. It’ll make you smile and feel like a kid again!

Did you try the original Ghostbusters game? Have you played the remastered version? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.

If you want more remasters, check out our reviews for The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening and Spyro Reignited Trilogy.