Ghostbusters emerged following the premiere of the cult classic Blues Brothers in 1980. Dan Aykroyd, screenwriter and star as Elwood Blues, conceived a “sequel” where he and John Belushi (Joliet Jake Blues) would hunt ghosts in space, initially titled Ghostbusters. Reportedly, the original script was extensive and deemed unfilmable given the technology and budget constraints of the 1980s. Consequently, it took four years for the first Ghostbusters film to materialize. The space setting and John Belushi (1949-1982) were replaced, resulting in the film we know and love, starring Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray, Harold Ramis (1944-2014), and Ernie Hudson. The initial film’s success was significant, yet Ghostbusters II wouldn’t premiere for another five years. In the interim, the animated series The Real Ghostbusters served as my introduction to the franchise, and it remains surprisingly enjoyable even today.
Following Ghostbusters II, rumors circulated regarding a potential third film, with numerous animated iterations considered, but no live-action adaptation materialized. In 2009, a notable event occurred: the original cast reunited to lend their voices to Ghostbusters – The Video Game. This game can be considered the Ghostbusters 3 many fans had anticipated. The narrative is compelling and serves as a worthy sequel. In contrast, the Ghostbusters-remake, released in 2016, opted for a completely new universe, separate from the established films and games. This decision felt misguided and ultimately proved unsuccessful. While the new cast was appealing and some scenes were enjoyable, certain jokes detracted from the overall experience. However, this review focuses on Ghostbusters: The Video Game Remastered.
Players assume the role of a new recruit joining the original Ghostbusters team on their missions. Keeping pace with the seasoned professionals proves to be a challenging endeavor. Receiving witty remarks from a characteristically grumpy Peter Venkman provides a surreal, yet authentic experience. The music, environments, and other elements are meticulously recreated, contributing to an immersive and impressive game. As a dedicated fan, I found myself appreciating the numerous, well-crafted details.
Ghostbusters: The Video Game Remastered was initially released a decade ago. While the graphics have been enhanced in this remastered version, certain aspects reveal its age. The character movements, for instance, can appear somewhat rigid, and the facial models could benefit from greater expressiveness. However, these are relatively minor issues. The following video illustrates the differences between the original and remastered versions, highlighting the updated textures while retaining the original animation.
Another potential drawback is the game’s difficulty. Even at lower difficulty settings, capturing ghosts can be quite challenging. These spectral entities are elusive and require considerable effort to weaken before capture. The on-screen counter displaying the monetary value of the damage inflicted adds another layer of complexity. However, with practice, the process becomes more fluid and manageable.
The game’s plot is well-crafted and serves as a subtle, yet effective sequel to the first two films. Given the passing of Harold Ramis (Egon Spengler) five years prior to the game’s release, this represents the last occasion for all four original cast members to collaborate.
Or is it? With advancements in CGI technology, possibilities remain. A new Ghostbusters film is scheduled for release next year, directed by Jason Reitman, son of original director Ivan Reitman. The film will be set within the established Ghostbusters universe, featuring a new team (including Sigourney Weaver) taking up the mantle. While only a teaser has been released, anticipation is high, as the film appears promising.
In conclusion, this is an enjoyable game and, as a Ghostbusters enthusiast for nearly 35 years, I consider it a must-have, warranting a ten out of ten. However, considering the game’s age and the relatively limited scope of the remastering efforts, I am constrained to award it a “mere” nine. Nonetheless, a nine is a strong recommendation. I encourage you to acquire it without delay!
