Skip to main content

Ghostbusters: The Video Game Remastered

89%Game Brain Score
story, gameplay
stability, replayability
90% User Score Based on 4,317 reviews

Platforms

PCPlaystation 4WindowsSteam Deck

About

Ghostbusters: The Video Game Remastered is a survival horror action game that allows players to become a Ghostbuster and explore iconic locations from the films. The game features an original story supervised by Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis, and features the voices and likenesses of the original cast. Players explore, trap, and battle a variety of ghosts using authentic Ghostbusting tools and gadgets. This remastered version offers improved graphics and animations for an enhanced gaming experience.

Ghostbusters: The Video Game Remastered screenshot
Ghostbusters: The Video Game Remastered screenshot
Ghostbusters: The Video Game Remastered screenshot
Ghostbusters: The Video Game Remastered screenshot
Ghostbusters: The Video Game Remastered screenshot
Ghostbusters: The Video Game Remastered screenshot
Ghostbusters: The Video Game Remastered screenshot

90%
Audience ScoreBased on 4,317 reviews
story242 positive mentions
stability50 negative mentions

  • Great fan service with the original cast reprising their roles, making it feel like a true Ghostbusters sequel.
  • Engaging gameplay mechanics that allow players to capture ghosts using various proton pack upgrades.
  • Nostalgic experience that captures the charm and humor of the original films.
  • The remaster lacks significant improvements over the original, with many cutscenes remaining low quality and audio often out of sync.
  • AI companions are often unhelpful, leading to frustrating gameplay moments where players must constantly revive them.
  • The game has technical issues, including settings not saving and occasional crashes, detracting from the overall experience.
  • story
    562 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of "Ghostbusters: The Video Game Remastered" is widely praised for its engaging narrative that serves as a spiritual successor to the original films, written by Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis. Players appreciate the return of the original cast, which adds authenticity and nostalgia, although some critiques mention the protagonist's lack of impact on the story and a reliance on familiar plot elements from the movies. Overall, the game is seen as a fun and entertaining continuation of the Ghostbusters saga, appealing to both long-time fans and newcomers.

    • “The story is very good and the cast do a great job at reprising their roles (RIP Harold Ramis).”
    • “The authentic experience features the voices and in-game likenesses of Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, and Ernie Hudson in an original story penned by the writers of the original films - Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis.”
    • “The story is engaging, and the gameplay mechanics were just what a Ghostbusters fan would hope for.”
    • “You play as a silent, featureless, blank slate who doesn't even get a name and is barely acknowledged by the rest of the cast as 'recruit' or 'cadet' a handful of times and is otherwise ignored in cutscenes like he's an invisible ghost observing the events of the story.”
    • “Another is the shitty writing where it's very much like the game trying to make you have a total nostalgia orgasm, basically making the story be 'oh no, Slimer and all the other darn ghosts from the movies have fled out again... like the 10th time again (containment unit has fallen).'”
    • “In many ways, it is a repeat of the same story bits and locations from the original movies, but in a less interesting way and with far fewer jokes landing.”
  • gameplay
    382 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "Ghostbusters: The Video Game Remastered" is generally enjoyable, featuring a mix of action, exploration, and puzzle-solving elements that effectively capture the essence of the original films. While some players find the mechanics repetitive and dated, the nostalgic charm, engaging story, and excellent voice acting from the original cast contribute to a fun experience overall. However, the absence of multiplayer and occasional clunky controls may detract from the enjoyment for some players.

    • “The gameplay is fantastic, and the original is one of my all-time favorite games.”
    • “Gameplay is enjoyable and new mechanics are consistently introduced throughout the story, keeping the gameplay fresh. The writing is excellent and the voice acting is extremely good, feels as high quality as the first Ghostbusters movie, superb stuff.”
    • “The gameplay is solid and robust, and over the course of the main storyline, it doesn't get overly repetitive or boring.”
    • “The game constantly throws a number of convoluted game mechanics at you while describing them with mouthfuls of tedious techno-babble from Ray and Egon.”
    • “The graphics are improved and the story is a pretty cool continuation of the original movie, but they removed the multiplayer and the general gameplay has aged like a loaf of bread.”
    • “The gameplay is also quite repetitive and under-developed.”
  • graphics
    310 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of "Ghostbusters: The Video Game Remastered" have received mixed reviews, with many noting that while the visuals show some improvement over the original 2009 release, they still feel dated and fail to fully capitalize on the remastering opportunity. Character models and cutscenes exhibit signs of aging, often described as having an "uncanny valley" effect, and technical issues such as resetting graphics settings upon relaunch detract from the experience. Overall, while the game maintains a nostalgic charm and some graphical enhancements, it does not significantly elevate its visual fidelity to modern standards.

    • “When it first released, the game was lauded for its impressive graphics and immersive gameplay, which effectively brought the world of Ghostbusters to life.”
    • “The remastered version, while still showcasing visuals that have aged reasonably well, brings enhancements that honor the original art style, ensuring that it feels undeniably Ghostbusters.”
    • “The graphics might be a bit dated but the art style and the game's own debris and destruction system really stand out and easily stood the test of time.”
    • “The graphics are definitely starting to age, mostly in the character models. It's the typical seventh generation uncanny valley where graphical fidelity is starting to make the characters look like humans but mostly looks like mannequins.”
    • “The downsides of the experience were the effort done remastering 'Ghostbusters: The Video Game.' The visuals aren't upgraded.”
    • “Even though the graphics have been updated here, the cutscenes have not.”
  • humor
    134 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in "Ghostbusters: The Video Game Remastered" is widely praised for capturing the charm and wit of the original films, with many players enjoying the banter between characters and the nostalgic callbacks. While some found certain jokes to be outdated or hit-or-miss, the overall comedic tone is considered a highlight, making the game a fun and lighthearted experience. The writing, crafted by original franchise writers, effectively blends humor with horror elements, appealing to both long-time fans and newcomers alike.

    • “The humor, a staple of the Ghostbusters franchise, is also present and well-executed.”
    • “The game features a script penned by original Ghostbusters writers Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis, capturing the quirky humor and camaraderie that made the movies so beloved.”
    • “The characters, humor, and the fact you're a Ghostbuster is the driving point of the game; your proton pack is very fun to use and each mode has multiple fire modes.”
    • “And speaking of the characters, Bill Murray is supposed to be the comedian of the group and throw out a bunch of witty one-liners, but he pretty much comes across as a jerk most of the time, not funny.”
    • “Unfunny script”
  • music
    90 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is largely composed of tracks from the original "Ghostbusters" films, which fans appreciate for its nostalgic value and authenticity, featuring the original voice actors. However, some players feel that the limited selection leads to repetitiveness, and there are complaints about the underutilization of the iconic theme song. Overall, while the soundtrack enhances the game's atmosphere, it could benefit from more original compositions to maintain variety throughout the gameplay.

    • “Original actors doing the voice work and familiar soundtrack makes this a must play for any fan of the original movies.”
    • “The game's sound design is also effective, with voice acting from the original cast and a soundtrack that captures the spirit of the original 'Ghostbusters' films.”
    • “The music is all pulled from the movies and is honestly fun to hear while playing.”
    • “You only get to hear a few seconds of the famous Ghostbusters song before it gets cut off.”
    • “Also, the music is pretty much straight from the movies, which is great in making it feel like a genuine continuation, but it does start to get a bit boring when they keep reusing some of the same tracks due to not making any new soundtracks.”
    • “Music, limited to the soundtracks from the two original movies, gets pretty repetitive after a while.”
  • stability
    52 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's stability has been widely criticized, with numerous reports of freezing, crashes, and various bugs that disrupt gameplay. While the transition to a 64-bit executable has improved performance on modern systems, many players still experience significant issues, particularly during cutscenes and when changing settings. Overall, despite some nostalgic appeal and improved visuals, the game's stability remains a major concern for players.

    • “Also looks and runs great on Steam Deck, on which I did my full playthrough.”
    • “I can't get halfway through the cutscene introducing the next Sedgewick chapter before it freezes.”
    • “The nostalgia factor isn't worth the frustration of restarting your computer twenty times in a row just because the game freezes and refuses to actually close.”
    • “Was super stoked to purchase this game but it is so buggy I could barely play it.”
  • optimization
    50 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's optimization has received mixed feedback; while the remaster significantly improves performance, eliminating many issues present in the original, some players still experience delays and stuttering, particularly on certain platforms like the Steam Deck. Overall, the remaster runs smoothly at 60 fps and enhances graphical fidelity, but some users note that it still feels unoptimized in specific areas, such as mouse responsiveness and cutscene quality.

    • “A beautifully well done and optimized remaster of a fantastic game.”
    • “The original game was riddled with optimization issues and low performance on the same machine I use to play Doom Eternal at 150 fps. This remaster definitely nips those issues in the bud; I never lost a single frame in the smooth 60 fps performance of this remaster. I played for almost 4 hours fresh off the Steam store and plan to log plenty more!”
    • “Despite being released over a decade ago, the game still holds up well and the remaster optimizes the game's performance and upscales cinematics to 4k.”
    • “While some effort and time was surely put into the game, the optimization is rough.”
    • “Game is essentially broken on modern PC, poorly optimized.”
    • “It's not optimized; there's a huge delay between the mouse and the game, and the resolution doesn't fit my widescreen.”
  • atmosphere
    34 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is universally praised, with many reviewers highlighting its ability to authentically capture the essence of the original Ghostbusters movies. Players feel immersed in a dreadfully atmospheric environment filled with well-designed locations and a fitting soundtrack that enhances the experience. Overall, the game's atmosphere is considered its standout feature, contributing significantly to its enjoyment and nostalgic appeal.

    • “This game oozes atmosphere, making you feel like you are actually working along with the Ghostbusters, catching ghosts, blowing up half of New York City, and causing millions of dollars in damages.”
    • “The game perfectly captures the atmosphere of the movies; every ghost and every proton pack upgrade fits right in.”
    • “What makes this game so great is the atmosphere, story, and characters. It was created by dedicated people who loved the original Ghostbusters movies and was written by the actors themselves, Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis, who confirmed that this game is actually Ghostbusters III in video game format.”
    • “The atmosphere and rooms you'll be exploring are very dreadful and scary.”
    • “The battle with the ghosts is very well done and respects the atmosphere of the movie.”
    • “The atmosphere is so something here.”
  • replayability
    34 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game offers moderate replayability, primarily appealing to achievement hunters and those interested in replaying levels with different weapons and gadgets. However, some players find the lack of multiplayer and repetitive combat may limit the overall replay value. While there are opportunities for challenges and speedruns, the game's relatively short length and limited innovation could deter some from multiple playthroughs.

    • “So there's plenty of replayability with challenges and speedruns too!”
    • “Replayability: the game offers some replayability, with the ability to replay levels and try different weapons and gadgets.”
    • “Sure, it doesn't have multiplayer, but that is not to say that single player doesn't have the ability to keep the game afloat, i.e., replayable.”
    • “However, the game's lack of innovation and repetitive combat may limit replayability for some players.”
    • “The only turnoffs are the relative lack of replayability unless you like achievement hunting, which if you're good enough you'll get over half in your first playthrough.”
    • “You may come back to any level to get all the collectibles if you missed any during your first playthrough, but it isn't enough to give it much replayability.”
  • grinding
    20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players have mixed feelings about the grinding aspect of the game. While some find the process tedious and repetitive, leading to boredom, others enjoy the thrill of certain mechanics and the satisfaction of achieving 100% completion without excessive grinding. Overall, the grinding can feel overwhelming at times, but it also offers rewarding moments for dedicated players.

    • “It was still a ton of fun and I'm only missing 2 achievements that I will get very soon. The 100% was fun to get and not grindy. Also, getting the golden proton pack unlock is so cool. I wish there were a bit more unlocks, but that's cool still.”
    • “It was still a ton of fun and I'm only missing 2 achievements that I will get very soon. The 100% was fun to get and not grindy. Also, getting the golden proton pack unlock is so cool. I wish there were a bit more unlocks, but that's cool still.”
    • “A bit grindy sometimes.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “What I dislike and makes me feel bored playing is the tedious nature of the game and the clunky feel to the game.”
    • “Ghost wrangling in this game is not fun, it's tedious and it never gets easier.”
  • monetization
    16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization aspect of the game has been criticized as a lazy cash grab, with many reviewers feeling that the remaster offers minimal improvements over the original version. Misleading advertising regarding the quality of remastered content has also been highlighted, leading to disappointment among players who expected more substantial updates. Overall, the sentiment suggests that the developers have not invested enough effort to justify the purchase for those who already own the original game.

    • “It feels like a lazy cash grab by the developers, who have done just enough very minor tweaking to legally classify it as a remaster.”
    • “It’s either a soulless cash grab like Batman: Return to Arkham or a bastardized downgrade like GTA: The Trilogy - Definitive Edition.”
    • “- Only cutscenes seen in the remaster's trailer were remastered (meaning: misleading advertising), the rest still have low bitrate and faded colors.”
  • emotional
    12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players report a strong emotional connection to the game, highlighting the immersive script and voice acting that evoke nostalgia and a sense of belonging in the Ghostbusters universe. While the combat can become repetitive, the overall experience is described as wholesome and engaging, with some criticism regarding the emotional appropriateness of certain character lines. Overall, the game successfully elicits feelings of joy and excitement reminiscent of childhood.

    • “Just wholesome fun overall, like being a kid again.”
    • “This was one of the greatest game experiences I ever had that made me feel I was actually part of the world and kept me intrigued all the way through.”
    • “Bustin' has never made me feel this good!”
  • character development
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Reviews indicate that the game suffers from a lack of character development, with a minimal plot and no additional modes or features to enhance the experience. Players find the narrative shallow and the character arcs virtually nonexistent, leading to a disappointing overall impression.

    • “It's short, has a paper-thin plot, and quite literally no character development.”

Buy Ghostbusters: The Video Game Remastered

7h Median play time
69h Average play time
3-18h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 16 analyzed playthroughs

Videos

Games Like Ghostbusters: The Video Game Remastered

Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart Image
Mafia II: Definitive Edition Image
Spyro Reignited Trilogy Image
Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga Image
.hack//G.U. Last Recode Image