Skip to main content

About

Ghostlore is an 'Eastpunk' Fantasy Hack and Slash Action-RPG, where up to 2 players can team up in local co-op mode to fight supernatural monsters from Southeast-Asian folklore. With detailed character customization, procedurally generated maps, and authentic 90's retro graphics, Ghostlore boasts an exciting plot, good mechanics, and real scares. However, it has lots of bugs and is quite grinding, which might affect the overall gaming experience.

Ghostlore screenshot
Ghostlore screenshot
Ghostlore screenshot
Ghostlore screenshot
Ghostlore screenshot
Ghostlore screenshot
Ghostlore screenshot
Ghostlore screenshot
Ghostlore screenshot
Ghostlore screenshot
Ghostlore screenshot
+15

88%
Audience ScoreBased on 750 reviews
story28 positive mentions
grinding38 negative mentions

  • Unique setting based on Southeast Asian folklore, providing a fresh alternative to typical Western ARPGs.
  • Engaging gameplay with a satisfying combat system and a deep customization mechanic through the glyph and multiclass systems.
  • Charming pixel art and sound design that enhances the overall atmosphere of the game.
  • The game currently lacks content, with a short main story and limited endgame options, leading to potential repetitiveness.
  • Controller support and UI navigation can be clunky, making gameplay less smooth and intuitive.
  • Balancing issues exist, particularly with certain skills and enemy difficulty spikes, which can lead to frustrating experiences.
  • story
    180 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story in Ghostlore is generally considered straightforward and somewhat lacking in depth, primarily consisting of fetch quests and monster hunts that can be completed in about 3 to 10 hours. While some players find the narrative engaging enough to support the gameplay, many criticize it for being cliché, barebones, and lacking immersive elements like voice acting or cinematics. Overall, the focus seems to be more on gameplay mechanics and endgame content rather than a rich storytelling experience.

    • “Absolutely fantastic; the evening I bought it I didn't stop until I beat the story mode... the pacing and power scaling with freedom to craft some wonky stuff is just great.”
    • “After playing the entire story, and with more endgame on the way, you can tell there's a lot of love put into this game.”
    • “It has everything that I love: delicious food (pics!), satisfying gameplay, abundance of flashy loot, unique skill system, recognizable real-world landmarks and features, interesting story and characters, diverse equipment, frightening and memorable monsters, and distinct classes to choose from.”
    • “The story is so bland and only told through textboxes that I stopped caring after less than an hour.”
    • “The story is so light it barely exists, and that's an enormous shame.”
    • “The main story isn't especially long or interesting, but the draw here is tetrising up a build that makes the screen explode and the story serves to make you go to places where you can do that.”
  • gameplay
    160 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of this action RPG is praised for its engaging mechanics, diverse class options, and a satisfying combat loop that encourages experimentation with builds and abilities. While it offers a fresh take on traditional ARPG elements, some players noted issues with imprecise controls and repetitive mechanics, particularly in the context of item collection and enemy behavior. Overall, the game is recognized for its fun, fast-paced gameplay and unique setting, making it a standout in the genre despite some minor flaws.

    • “The gameplay offers diverse options, with six classes that each bring distinct abilities and playstyles, from the psychic adept to the rogue-like hashashin.”
    • “I was blown away by how well they've nailed the fast-paced and absolutely broken build-based gameplay that I absolutely crave from the genre.”
    • “Very satisfying gameplay, nice blend between mowing down all the monsters and dying enough until you figure it out.”
    • “Mechanically, I do have some issues with clicking being a bit imprecise - some sprites are difficult to move around when you get as far as I have, where enemies are in groups numbering into the hundreds, as they 'catch' your mouse for attacks rather than letting you move and position.”
    • “Several stats and mechanics are either explained in a misleading way or outright don't work properly.”
    • “Overall lacks something, the visual/gameplay/story/control polish and style that can push this beyond what it already is.”
  • graphics
    150 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of Ghostlore evoke a nostalgic pixel-art style reminiscent of classic games, particularly with its unique Southeast Asian aesthetic. While many players appreciate the charming retro visuals and vibrant colors, some criticize the graphics for being simplistic or occasionally hard to read during intense gameplay. Overall, the art style is seen as a refreshing change in the genre, though opinions vary on its execution and clarity.

    • “Ghostlore is an innovative diablolike with beautiful throwback pixel art graphics and a rich mythology-inspired setting.”
    • “The pixelated graphics are charming and full of color, bringing forth a world teeming with life and death.”
    • “The game is, in my opinion, visually stunning; it is true to its art style at all times.”
    • “What hurts the combat the most for me is the graphics.”
    • “My only major complaints are the graphics and the music: the visual style is kind of nice, but the game is sometimes hard to read, especially if there is a lot of stuff going on the screen at the same time.”
    • “The only gripe I have is the graphics look a bit muddy and the sounds and music are lackluster.”
  • music
    54 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is generally described as relaxing and enjoyable, contributing to a pleasant atmosphere, though it can become repetitive due to a limited number of short tracks that loop frequently. While some players appreciate the chill soundtrack and find it engaging during gameplay, others note that it often fades into the background and lacks depth, with sound effects that could be more impactful. Overall, the music is seen as a mixed bag, with some praising its quality while others criticize its monotony, especially in hub areas.

    • “Unique setting, chill soundtrack, satisfyingly chunky, colourful visuals and a very enjoyable central loop.”
    • “The mix between modern day and the occult, the music and color scheme all come together to create a wonderful atmosphere that's just pleasant to behold.”
    • “The music is *chef's kiss*.”
    • “The sound design lacks depth, with music often too quiet and sound effects that could be more impactful.”
    • “The soundtrack has about 10 different songs that all feel like they loop after less than a minute.”
    • “The music definitely exists, but it's very monotonous and gets lost in the background.”
  • grinding
    38 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The grinding aspect of the game is described as both tedious and rewarding, with players noting that while the main campaign is relatively short (around 8 hours), the endgame requires significant grinding for optimal gear and build experimentation. Some players appreciate the ability to quickly obtain powerful items, allowing for creative builds, but others find the repetitive nature of grinding and inventory management to detract from the overall experience. Overall, the game caters to those who enjoy grinding, though it may feel excessive and lacking in content for some players.

    • “The main campaign will probably take around 8 hours to complete (mileage might vary), but the endgame seems quite grindy (if you played ARPGs before then you know the drill).”
    • “There's not a whole lot to say because the game is quite barebones as is; there's a handful of zones in the story, then the postgame hits at like level 20 and you're just grinding the same zones with increased monster level.”
    • “The game is very low on content right now; after 4 hours, I am just grinding stats.”
  • stability
    26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's stability has been a significant concern for players, with many reporting numerous bugs, glitches, and unpolished elements, particularly in co-op mode and UI functionality. While some users have experienced smooth performance without issues, the overall consensus is that the game remains moderately buggy, especially in its open beta state, though developers are actively working on fixes and improvements.

    • “Runs very well and no glitches/bugs so far.”
    • “There's so many unpolished, buggy or imbalanced things; calling co-op an afterthought would be quite generous.”
    • “At the time of this review, the game still has quite a few bugs and glitches, but that's to be expected for open beta games.”
    • “At first, it is clunky and buggy, with the character stuck within some object in the game, and I almost refunded it.”
  • optimization
    22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's optimization is a mixed bag; while it offers decent performance and a variety of settings, players have reported significant issues such as memory leaks and frame rate drops during busy scenes, particularly in its early access state. Controller support is strong, but the game is primarily optimized for that input method, leaving keyboard and mouse users at a disadvantage. Overall, while some players experience smooth performance, others encounter frustrating stuttering and balance issues that need addressing.

    • “Tons of character progression and optimization.”
    • “Great performance and settings options.”
    • “The performance did very well and it really felt like Diablo on the Switch, which is a good thing.”
    • “The only downside is the game is about 90% optimized for controllers.”
    • “Be wary, it's an early access game, so there are optimization issues galore in the form of really bad memory leakage and frame rate drops when the screen gets busy, and the ever-looming possibility it will never be totally finished.”
    • “I do hope they fix some of the stuttering that seems to happen when you use a skill; sometimes you can shoot them off, other times they delay even though I have charges and mana, so I found that a bit jarring.”
  • replayability
    20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game offers significant replayability through diverse class combinations, satisfying skill setups, and procedurally generated maps that ensure each playthrough feels unique. Players appreciate the ability to experiment with different strategies and the option to respec without starting over, enhancing the overall replay value. With potential for further content and balancing, the game is seen as a promising candidate for repeated play.

    • “This is a really cool game with lots of replay value.”
    • “Definitely has replay value to try other classes and combos on more playthroughs - would say this is a lot more diverse in terms of skills and how you could layout it than other games with passives.”
    • “I was impressed with the maps being auto-generated; this means that whenever you play the level with another class, it's going to be a different playthrough every time, which increases the replayability.”
    • “Nevertheless, it is a replayable game since there are several class combinations to experiment on.”
    • “I was impressed with the maps being auto-generated; this means that whenever you play the 'level' with another class, it's going to be a different playthrough every time, which increases the replayability.”
    • “With some re-balancing and additional difficulties for replay value, Ghostlore has the potential to be an indie masterpiece.”
  • atmosphere
    10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its originality and unique graphical style, which effectively enhances the overall experience. Players appreciate the retro aesthetic, fluid animations, and satisfying sound effects that contribute to a refreshing and immersive environment. Overall, the combination of art, music, and gameplay creates a distinctive atmosphere that stands out in the gaming landscape.

    • “I like the style and atmosphere of this game; I love its originality. It did a lot of things differently and new, and I applaud them for making an effort in creating something unique with their own spin.”
    • “The hack/slash action is irrationally satisfying, from the animations to the sound effects; the movements are fluid and perfectly paced, and the atmosphere is refreshingly dope.”
    • “It's got a very unique atmosphere and a graphical style I've not really seen before.”
  • emotional
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with some users feeling that it requires further refinement to enhance the overall experience. There is a hope that the developers will address these concerns in future updates.

  • humor
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is characterized by its absurdly broken balancing, which leads to hilariously unexpected deaths that players find entertaining, even if they feel somewhat cheap.

    • “Some of the deaths can feel cheap because of how hilariously broken balancing is, but in a fun way.”

Buy Ghostlore

100h Median play time
100h Average play time
100-100h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

Videos

Games Like Ghostlore

Grim Dawn Image
This game contains adult content
Victor Vran Image
This game contains adult content
Chronicon Image
Stolen Realm Image
The Slormancer Image
Victor Vran ARPG Image
Vikings: Wolves of Midgard Image
This game contains adult content
Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor - Martyr Image
This game contains adult content
Deathtrap Image
This game contains adult content
Warhammer: Chaosbane Image
This game contains adult content