Ghostlore

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.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Reviews

88%

Audience ScoreBased on 375 reviews

story14 positive mentions

grinding19 negative mentions

Engaging gameplay with a unique glyph system that allows for deep customization and strategy.
Charming pixel art style and a refreshing Southeast Asian setting that stands out in the ARPG genre.
Solid class system with the ability to mix and match skills from multiple classes, providing diverse build options.

Lack of multiplayer functionality and limited inventory space can hinder the overall experience.
Some mechanics, such as the glyph and skill systems, can feel convoluted and overwhelming for new players.
The game currently lacks content, with a short main story and repetitive endgame mechanics.

story
90 mentions
16 % positive mentions
81 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The story in Ghostlore is generally considered straightforward and somewhat lacking in depth, primarily consisting of simple fetch quests and monster hunts. While some players find it enjoyable and reminiscent of classic ARPGs like Diablo and Titan Quest, many criticize it for being short, cliché, and poorly presented, with minimal character development and no side quests. Overall, the narrative serves mainly as a backdrop for gameplay rather than a compelling 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 story isn’t complete yet, and most of the characters so far are just quest givers, so it feels like going from point A to B, with little to do in between such as side quests.”
gameplay
80 mentions
34 % positive mentions
61 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The gameplay of this action RPG is praised for its engaging mechanics, diverse character classes, and a satisfying combat loop that encourages experimentation with builds and abilities. Players appreciate the unique level-up system and the absence of typical gacha mechanics, although some express concerns about imprecise controls and repetitive elements. Overall, the game offers a fresh take on the genre with a blend of classic and innovative features, making it enjoyable despite some minor balancing and clarity issues.
- “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.”
- “The gameplay loop consists of going to a randomly-generated map, killing a boss there, going back to town, and repeating.”
graphics
75 mentions
43 % positive mentions
53 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The graphics of Ghostlore evoke a nostalgic charm with their pixel-art style and vibrant colors, reminiscent of classic games like Ragnarok Online and early console titles. While many players appreciate the unique Southeast Asian aesthetic and find the visuals endearing, some criticize them for being simplistic or occasionally hard to read during intense gameplay. Overall, the art style is a divisive aspect, with opinions ranging from admiration for its retro appeal to calls for a graphical overhaul to enhance clarity and immersion.
- “Ghostlore is an isometric ARPG with a unique Southeast Asian setting and pixel-art graphics.”
- “The visuals, while very retro, have a great vibe and the Southeast Asian setting is a fresh touch in the genre.”
- “Enormously original, with stylish presentation, crisp visuals, and tons of build diversity, Ghostlore is bound to become a classic of the genre.”
- “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
27 mentions
44 % positive mentions
44 % neutral mentions
11 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally described as relaxing and enjoyable, contributing positively to the atmosphere with a chill soundtrack. However, many users note that the soundtrack can become repetitive, with a limited number of songs that loop frequently, leading to a monotonous experience, especially during extended gameplay. While some appreciate the sound design and find it cozy, others feel it lacks depth and impact, often getting lost in the background.
- “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 chill and cool.”
- “Actually found myself jamming out to the background music while killing mobs.”
- “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
19 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that the grinding aspect of the game is a mixed bag; while some players appreciate the ability to farm for perfect gear and enjoy experimenting with builds, others find the process tedious and repetitive, especially due to the lack of content and the need to restart characters for new builds. The endgame is described as particularly grindy, with inventory management adding to the frustration, though the overall experience is not deemed excessively time-consuming compared to other ARPGs. Players who enjoy grinding may find satisfaction in the game's structure, but those seeking a more streamlined experience might be disappointed.
- “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.”
- “You would need to make a new character each time you have a build idea, which involves more grinding through content you've already cleared.”
stability
13 mentions
23 % positive mentions
-15 % neutral mentions
92 % negative mentions
The game's stability has been a significant concern for players, with many reporting various bugs, glitches, and unpolished elements, particularly in co-op mode. While some users have noted improvements and a lack of major issues in their experience, the overall consensus is that the game remains moderately buggy, especially in its early beta phase. Developers are actively working on fixes, but players should expect a somewhat unstable experience.
- “Runs very well with no glitches or bugs so far.”
- “The game maintains a smooth performance throughout, ensuring a stable experience.”
- “I've experienced consistent stability, making gameplay enjoyable and hassle-free.”
- “Pretty buggy from the start.”
- “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.”
optimization
11 mentions
36 % positive mentions
36 % neutral mentions
27 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is a mixed bag; while many players report good performance and responsive controls, particularly on PC, there are notable issues such as memory leaks, frame rate drops during intense moments, and a heavy reliance on controller support. Early access status means ongoing optimization challenges, but developers are actively addressing feedback, leading to improvements in performance and gameplay experience. Players appreciate the character progression and customization options, though some quality-of-life features are still needed.
- “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, along with 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 there's a delay even though I have charges and mana, which I found a bit jarring.”
replayability
10 mentions
30 % positive mentions
40 % neutral mentions
30 % negative mentions
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 improvements and additional challenges, the game is poised to become a highly replayable experience.
- “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.”
- “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 POE with passives.”
- “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 play-through every time, which increases the replayability.”
atmosphere
5 mentions
80 % positive mentions
20 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its originality and unique artistic style, which effectively enhances the overall experience. Players appreciate the retro aesthetic, fluid animations, and satisfying sound effects that contribute to a refreshing and engaging 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.”
- “I was initially put off by the retro style, but truthfully, the style lends itself well to the game and really helps to build the atmosphere.”
- “It's got a very unique atmosphere and a graphical style I've not really seen before.”
emotional
1 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Users feel that while the emotional aspects of the game show potential, there are areas that require improvement to enhance the overall experience. They express hope that the developers will address these issues in future updates.
humor
1 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by its absurdity, with players finding amusement in the broken balancing that leads to unexpectedly cheap deaths, adding a lighthearted twist to the experience.
- “Some of the deaths can feel cheap because of how hilariously broken the balancing is, but in a fun way.”