With its all-star cast, music sourced directly from the film, solid gameplay, and writing by Ramis & Akroyd-it's awesome
Among them, are games on the Sega Master System, Nintendo, Sega Genesis, PC and Arcade (as well as the unofficial Extreme Ghostbusters games on portable systems, which were based on a cartoon that was, technically, a rip-off of The Real Ghostbusters cartoon)
And now, with the musical stylings of Ray Parker, Jr. and pieces of the original Elmer Bernstein score to boot, the guys are back!
This time, however, we have voice acting from most of the original cast (with the exception of Sigourney Weaver and Rick Moranis)
the game includes Harold Ramis, Dan Akroyd, Ernie Hudson, Bill Murray, Annie Potts, William Atherton, and even Brian Doyle Murray, Bill Murray's brother.
In the third-person shooter genre, as opposed to the side-scrolling, or top-down views we are accustomed to in earlier games, the game is accurate in every detail from the musical score to the sound of the proton packs powering up (which, in the game, have to be vented in the same manner as a firearm being reloaded or cocked- venting can be done at any time using, on the 360, by default the RB button) to the instantly recognizable renderings of the actors' faces, as well as those of their paranormal counterparts.
Elements of the game- information regarding ghosts (obtained via the PKE), and equipment, are detailed in the menu accessed with the button opposite start (varies depending on system, for 360, it's the Back button), as are the game's collectibles, that are scattered throughout the map, and can be found using the PKE meter.
It also includes a very detailed statistics screen.
Equipment can be upgraded throughout the game, as well, through the aforementioned menu.
The aforementioned PKE meter, when used, allows the player to also use the goggles seen in the film, and, through a first-person perspective, track down ghosts, collectibles, or even the next appropriate switch.
Trapping ghosts is done by first throwing the trap out (you can throw out a considerable amount, there isn't any particular limit, and you can pick them back up after their usage) and throwing a Capture Stream on the ghost, whom you then drag down to the trap, and, in a manner similar to fishing, pull with counterforce against the direction that the ghost is attempting to go (thus keeping them in the center)
One can also trap using other methods, that I'll avoid for spoiler reasons- suffice it to say, one can slam ghosts around, and there are other attachments that can be used to attack the ghosts aside from the trusty neutrona wand that's easily memorable from the films.
The game also features an addictive online multiplayer (no local multiplayer) base, with a variety of modes (including co-op, not through the campaign, but independent, and Survival mode, where one has to avoid multiple waves of ghosts) and a limit of 4 players, with all of the Ghostbusters available as playable characters.
The "Most Wanted Ghosts" concept (where particular ghosts on their respective maps will appear, and catching them adds them to your Most Wanted Ghosts list)
Ranks are based upon the amount of money earned, and as a reward, new outfits will be unlocked as you earn more cash throughout multi-player.
The game has a lot of nostalgia tied to it, including appearances of some of our favorite paranormal entities, as well as plenty of new ones.
If you grew up watching the Ghostbusters films as much as I did, and had the toy proton pack and/or trap accessory as a kid, you're sure to love this game.
Blessed Be