Ghost Blade HD
- March 8, 2017
- Hucast
Slightly above average or simply inoffensive. Fans of the genre should enjoy them a bit, but a fair few will be left unfulfilled.
Get on Steam
Get on Xbox Games StoreGhost Blade HD is a high-speed bullet hell shooter with classic arcade-style gameplay. Players battle through six stages of intense enemy encounters and massive boss battles, all while dodging a hail of bullets. With multiple difficulty settings, three distinct ships to choose from, and online leaderboards, Ghost Blade HD offers a challenging and rewarding experience for shoot 'em up fans.
Mac OS
Nintendo Switch
PC
Playstation 4
Playstation 5
Windows
Xbox One
Xbox Series X|S
Linux
PlayStation
Wii
Wii U
Xbox
Reviews
- The game features stunning visuals and a captivating soundtrack that enhance the overall experience.
- Ghost Blade HD offers tight controls and responsive gameplay, making it enjoyable for both newcomers and seasoned players.
- It provides a nostalgic retro shooter experience reminiscent of classic arcade games, with a simple yet satisfying gameplay loop.
- Visibility issues arise due to bright ship shots and a variety of enemy bullet colors, making it hard to track projectiles.
- The game has a limited amount of content with only five levels, which may leave players wanting more.
- Transitions into and out of boss fights are abrupt and poorly executed, indicating a lack of playtesting.
- music21 mentions
- 62 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally praised for its intensity and energy, with some soundtracks described as crisp and perfectly complementing the gameplay. While certain tracks, like those in Bullet Souls, are noted as bland and forgettable, others, such as those in Ghost Blade HD, are highlighted for their captivating and immersive qualities. Overall, the soundtracks contribute significantly to the game's atmosphere, enhancing the overall experience.
“The soundtrack is crisp and super energetic without being overly repetitive; it also perfectly ties to the music of the late 1990s, which was the rave/techno/dnb era.”
“What sets Ghost Blade HD apart is its beautifully crafted visuals and captivating soundtrack, both of which create an immersive atmosphere that draws players into its world.”
“Combined with a pulse-pounding soundtrack that perfectly complements the on-screen action, Ghost Blade HD is a feast for the senses.”
“Bullet Souls' soundtrack is guitar-heavy, typical for late Cave games, but is rather bland and forgettable.”
“How do you beat excellence in the departments of graphics, music, and gameplay?”
- graphics20 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their high-quality, hand-drawn sprites and vibrant pixel art, which enhance the overall gameplay experience. Reviewers highlight the combination of traditional aesthetics with modern high-resolution visuals, creating an immersive atmosphere that captivates players. The visuals are noted for their clarity and detail, contributing to a satisfying and engaging experience, even on lower-end hardware.
“What sets Ghost Blade HD apart is its beautifully crafted visuals and captivating soundtrack, both of which create an immersive atmosphere that draws players into its world.”
“The pixel art graphics are stunning, with vibrant colors and detailed enemy designs that pop off the screen.”
“Technically, this game is cutting edge for the genre, featuring high-resolution graphics and a nice soundtrack, with plenty of options too.”
“Still, accepting the fact that absolutely no other shmup has hand-drawn sprites nowadays, the aforementioned graphics are okay.”
“There was no indie studios and graphics were powerful so every sprite was top-notch hand-drawn, the bullet patterns of that era were a 'perfect' mix of manic shooter overload and old-school deadly gameplay but developers did not have to use cheap 'I got you' patterns and could experiment with much balanced and intelligent gameplay.”
“The pre-rendered graphics accentuate the solid gameplay to satisfy those looking to cause immeasurable destruction.”
- gameplay19 mentions
- 26 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Ghost Blade HD" is praised for its unique and refreshing mechanics, reminiscent of classic bullet hell shooters, with tight controls and responsive action that enhance the overall experience. Players appreciate the balance between challenge and satisfaction, as well as the distinctiveness of the three playable ships, which allows for cooperative play. The combination of stunning visuals, a captivating soundtrack, and intelligent gameplay design contributes to a deeply engaging and rewarding experience.
“As a fan of bullet hell games, I found Ghost Blade HD to be a captivating experience that delivers intense action and satisfying gameplay.”
“One of the highlights of Ghost Blade HD is its tight controls and responsive gameplay.”
“With its stunning visuals, captivating soundtrack, and challenging gameplay, it offers an experience that is both exhilarating and deeply satisfying.”
“The only game mechanic that seems to exist to try and make it stand out in some way is point blanking bigger sized enemies in the middle, which seems to grant more bonus indicated by a quick jingle.”
“How do you beat excellence in the departments of graphics, music, and gameplay?”
“Now compare the same things to Ghost Blade: the gameplay does not copy anything; it is unique and refreshing, comparable to the Raiden Fighters games era.”
- replayability4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game offers a mix of high-energy gameplay that can be enjoyable for a short time, but its limited modes and only five stages result in a lack of long-term replayability. While some players appreciate the chaotic fun, others feel it doesn't innovate enough to warrant extended play. Overall, it may provide a few hours of entertainment but lacks depth for repeated sessions.
“A very enjoyable bullet hell shooter with a lot happening on screen and quite a bit of replayability.”
- story2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game lacks a dedicated story mode, which many users feel would enhance the experience, especially given its existing fanservice elements; however, they acknowledge that including such a mode could significantly increase the game's price.
“Although it doesn't have it, a story mode would be a welcome addition considering it's already got fan service, but then the price would have been twice as much most likely.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Ghost Blade HD is praised for its stunning visuals and engaging soundtrack, which together create an immersive atmosphere that effectively captivates players and enhances their gaming experience.
“What sets Ghost Blade HD apart is its beautifully crafted visuals and captivating soundtrack, both of which create an immersive atmosphere that draws players into its world.”
Critic Reviews
Review: Ghost Blade HD
Slightly above average or simply inoffensive. Fans of the genre should enjoy them a bit, but a fair few will be left unfulfilled.
60%Ghost Blade HD Review - PS4
Ghost Blade HD has the 90s retrograde down pat, delivering a nostalgic retro shooter that’ll bring you back to that favorite arcade of yours. Enough keeps this from being a must buy, but the price point makes it appealing for anyone looking for a good ol’ time.
60%Ghost Blade HD Review - KeenGamer
79%
